Children's home run by Solent Child Care Limited

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1227788 1

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Solent Child Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company based in the south-west of England. A maximum of two children who require support with their social and emotional needs may live in this home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2017.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was undertaken because Ofsted had not visited the home since July 2019. Two notifications of a serious event (regulation 40) were sent to Ofsted in January 2021. At the time of the visit, two children lived in the home. Both children have lived at the home for over two years.

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This monitoring visit

The visit took place remotely due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. A child showed the inspector around the home through a live video tour. Interviews with children, staff, the manager and relevant professionals took place through video links and over the telephone. The inspector conducted a review of documentation.

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This monitoring visit

Restrictions relating to COVID-19 have had an impact on the children living in the home. Staff have thought creatively about how to provide children with interesting activities outside of the home. As such, children have enjoyed exploring their local area and taking part in local community charity schemes. Positively, staff have prioritised children maintaining communication with their families. In circumstances where face-to-face visits could not take place, children increased their time communicating through virtual platforms appropriately.

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This monitoring visit

The manager takes effective action to safeguard children. The two serious incidents notified to Ofsted have been managed appropriately, with referrals robustly made to outside agencies and actions implemented swiftly. On one occasion, the manager Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1227788 2 identified their own delay in notifying Ofsted of a serious event and quickly rectified this. One child has been missing from care on two occasions. On both occasions, staff acted rapidly to find them and an independent return home interview took place.

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This monitoring visit

Staff confidently implement the home’s therapeutic model of care which requires staff to provide children with a loving, caring home that is understanding and respectful of their needs. Because of this, behavioural incidents are at a low level and restraint rarely occurs. When a behavioural incident occurs, the manager has exceptional insight into children’s experiences. The manager places high importance on time to reflect following incidents for both children and staff. Prioritising this helps staff to recognise the impact that children’s previous trauma may have on their behaviour.

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This monitoring visit

Both children have lived at the home for over two years and are making good progress. This is particularly notable considering that both have experienced many moves prior to moving into this home. Children have made such progress that they both attend school on a full-time basis, which has previously been a challenge.

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This monitoring visit

Children are very much the heart of the home and their photographs are beautifully displayed throughout. One child showed the inspector their bedroom via video link which is nicely furnished and filled with their favourite toys, games and posters. The same child shared they have enjoyed spending time outdoors, bird watching and fishing.

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This monitoring visit

Children have good access to support from other agencies. A clinical team is on hand to provide support as required for both children and staff. Staff follow children’s care plans thoroughly and fully understand the positive impact the therapeutic model has on the way they care for children. Staff are appropriately trained to deliver this model of care.

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This monitoring visit

The manager suitably follows safer recruitment processes. Platforms to monitor staff performance, such as supervision and probation reviews, are professionally challenging and purposeful. The manager identifies staff’s strengths and weaknesses effectively and imposes clear staff development plans.

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This monitoring visit

The requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection are met.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/07/2019 Full Good 21/11/2018 Full Good 09/11/2017 Full Good 02/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1227788 3

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solent Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 9 St Georges Yard, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7LW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Charlotte Tanner

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Inspector

Nicola Lownds, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1227788 4 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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