Children's home run by Phoenix Childcare Ltd in North Devon

Inspection report children’s home: SC408149 1 SC408149 Registered provider: Phoenix Childcare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a local provider which owns a number of children’s homes in the region.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to two children who have emotional and/or social difficulties. However, it has been agreed with the local authority for the child who currently lives in the home that he will be the only child looked after.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home was registered by Ofsted in June 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Recent inspection history

Inspection report children’s home: SC408149 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/01/2020 Full Good 29/01/2019 Full Outstanding 21/02/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 11/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC408149 3

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outstanding

The child who lives in this home has made excellent progress. The child’s original care plan aims have been exceeded and his life chances have now significantly increased. Such improvement is due to the exceptional care and support provided to him, a viewpoint shared by the social worker, other professionals and family members.

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outstanding

The child has developed strong and trusting relationships with staff. These relationships have helped him to be receptive to staff when they have shown him how to deal with situations differently. Consequently, the child has made great strides in his ability to express his emotions and fears safely. Not only has this resulted in situations not escalating out of control for a long time, it has also enabled the child to have stronger family relationships. As the child feels more settled and secure, he is now ready to have educational and psychological assessments, which will help identify his needs further so he can get the necessary help.

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outstanding

Staff have sensitively and effectively helped the child to conquer health issues that otherwise would have had a detrimental effect on his self-esteem. He has been supported, in the most natural of ways, to positively develop emotional and physical independence. In turn, this has strengthened his resilience.

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outstanding

Written plans and guidance carefully describe the progress the child has made. The team does not allow progress to stand still and it is clear what the next set of goals are, as each target is achieved.

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outstanding

A particular strength of the home is that the child’s wishes, feelings and participation are central to all his plans; there are many examples of how his views have influenced his care, which are expressed vividly in care planning records. Staff embrace the child’s expressions of his identity and share their own cultures and expressions of individualism with him. During the inspection, the child said: ‘They treat me nicely and they help me with my schoolwork.’

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outstanding

The manager and staff have developed strong and respectful relationships with the child’s family. They have helped them overcome barriers, which has greatly improved the child’s family relationships and his family members’ ability to care for him. One parent said: ‘I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to look after my son. He sees the team as an extended family.’ The other parent was equally positive.

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outstanding

The team has introduced the child to varied and exciting activities and experiences, including wild water swimming and climbing, helping him to confront his fears and shine as a sportsperson. These positive experiences have been captured in different Inspection report children’s home: SC408149 4 media formats, which will be ready for him to take with him to look back on when he moves from the home.

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outstanding

Expert advice has been provided to the team by the Forensic Children and Mental Health Service team. Staff have demonstrated to this team how well they know the child. They have applied the practice model recommended by the team successfully. The psychologist commented that the team ‘soaked up information like a sponge’ and used an inquisitive approach during consultations.

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outstanding

The manager and her deputy have tirelessly advocated for the child’s best interests to ensure that he has his needs met. The organisation has provided drama therapy in advance of other assessments, which has provided valuable insight into the child’s inner feelings and has helped him build a relationship with a therapist.

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outstanding

The quality of the adults’ care of the child has meant that incidents of significant aggression and distress, which were frequent, have stopped in the last eight months. When they have happened previously, the manager has had thorough debrief conversations with the child and staff. Staff have applied consistent and loving boundaries which the child has been able to benefit from. Staff continually work on helping the child manage his feelings and respond appropriately. They have many conversations to help keep the child safe and they do not shy away from awkward or uncomfortable discussions.

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outstanding

Managers have planned ahead by closely communicating with family members. They have adjusted boundaries and expectations so that they will be consistent with what will be in place when the child moves to his new home, in accordance with his plan. This will increase the likelihood of success for his future move.

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outstanding

The child uses the internet as would be usual for a child of his age. Staff have helped build up protective factors around this so that the exposure has helped him learn rather than be at risk of exploitation and danger.

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outstanding

The manager listens carefully to the child and when allegations are made or information is disclosed, they are treated seriously. Any investigations that take place are carried out by the organisation independently and learning suggested is taken on.

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outstanding

Recruitment procedures are safe; managers carefully consider the suitability of prospective team members before they are appointed. The arrangements for dispensation of medication are well managed.

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outstanding

The manager ensures that the staff and child understand what they need to do in case of a fire. Various scenarios are discussed or played out in a child-friendly way to help everybody think about potential pitfalls and how to overcome these, particularly as the home has only one entrance and exit. Inspection report children’s home: SC408149 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The child’s best interests are at the heart of everything the manager, her deputy and staff do. The drive, energy and high expectations stem from the manager, whose commitment is unquestionable. She ensures that the child gets the best care and support. Staff have complete acceptance of the child as a person but also have a drive to improve his behaviours and responses to help him be the best he can be. The child’s records evidence well the sustained improvement he has made. Attention is given to equality, diversity and identity in a non-judgemental way and the team strives to unpick the layers of the child’s thinking and help him to make sense of the world in a respectful manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The pandemic has presented challenges, as would be expected. The manager is careful to follow government guidance and the team has made sure that the pandemic has had a limited negative impact on the child. They have continued to do activities with him, keep up family time, take him on holiday and help him get to school. When the child did have to isolate, staff made sure that he had a positive experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team is a stable workforce with little movement, other than due to natural reasons. Staff receive regular supervision and training. They attend team meetings which are informative, child-focused and include useful discussions. Staff are unanimous in their positivity and enjoyment of working in the home. They feel valued by their manager and are extremely proud of the progress the child has made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works with partner agencies to ensure a consistent, cohesive approach to meeting the child’s needs. Feedback from professionals was overwhelmingly positive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is a lovely, warm and cosy environment and akin to a family home. Inspection report children’s home: SC408149 6

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC408149 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Hub, Seckington Cross, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8EY

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Stephen Nicholson

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Inspector

Sarah Canto, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC408149 8 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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