Children's home run by Bridge Communities Limited in Stroud

Inspection report children’s home: SC016600 1 SC016600 Registered provider: Bridge Communities Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a small independent provider. It provides care and accommodation for up to five children who may experience emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager and registered individual have been in post since the provision registered in March 2007.

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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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Information about this children’s home

A full inspection was carried out in May 2021. This inspection took place to monitor progress and review requirements made at the previous inspection.

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Inspection date: 14 September 2021

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Several requirements were made at the previous inspection. Inspection report children’s home: SC016600 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders have started to address all of the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. They have developed an action plan which is being implemented. There are notable improvements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the children who live here were spoken to by inspectors. The children all stated that they feel safe, secure and well looked after by their carers. They could identify someone to talk to if they have worries or concerns. There is evidence that important conversations take place with children to help them keep themselves safe. Relationships in the home are much improved. The house is filled with fun and laughter.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents have reduced significantly since the last inspection. Notably, there have been no children reported missing from home. When incidents do occur, leaders and managers act to reduce risk of future harm and adjust the approach to care to better meet the needs of children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one referral made to the designated officer from the local authority. Managers acted in line with policy and procedures and an internal investigation included talking to children and staff. The concerns and outcome of the investigation were shared appropriately with partners.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have the safety and well-being of the children at the heart of their practice. They go over and above expectations to ensure that children feel safe and cared for. For example, staff acted to understand cultural needs in respect of a family bereavement affecting two children. This has supported the children emotionally and is helping them through a very difficult time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The arrangements in respect of safe storage and administration of medication are robust. New systems make oversight by leaders simpler and clearer. There have been no errors since this system was adopted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders have taken steps to streamline care planning documents for children. Staff report that this makes it easier for them to understand the needs of the children. Changes in children’s plans are communicated to staff promptly. This ensures that they have the most up-to-date information. Further improvements are required to ensure that behaviour management strategies are clear.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most staff receive regular and meaningful supervision that is challenging and child- Inspection report children’s home: SC016600 3 focused. There is evidence of reflective practice and managers are aware of what further improvements are required. Supervision in respect of the registered individual is still not established but some action has been taken to rectify this. Inspection report children’s home: SC016600 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/12/2019 Full Good 10/09/2019 Full Inadequate 23/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC016600 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the registered individual has regular and meaningful access to supervision. 30 October 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that behaviour management plans provide clarity to staff about how to act to manage each of the children’s individual needs. 30 October 2021

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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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, Inspection report children’s home: SC016600 6 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: SC016600 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bridge Communities Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sutton Dipple, 8 Wheelwrights Corner, Cossack Square, Nailsworth, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 0DB

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Inspectors

Tracey Ledder, Social Care Inspector Penelope Kutz, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC016600 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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