Children's Home run by South West Childcare Services in Plymouth

Inspection report for children's home: 1254740 1 Registered provider: South West Childcare Services Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The provider states in their statement of purpose that they provide care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager resigned in July 2021. A suitably experienced manager has been appointed and is in the process of submitting her application to Ofsted for registration.

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Inspection date: 25 November 2021

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 25 November 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1254740 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. 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

Since the last inspection, there has been a change of manager and the appointment of a new staff team. The home has been refurbished and now offers a comfortable and homely environment. However, two windows are fitted with restrictors that are institutional in appearance. This detracts from the otherwise homely environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child has moved to the home. She reports that she feels safe living at the home and can speak to all staff members if she feels upset or worried. The staff confidently use the home’s safeguarding procedures if necessary and know what to do if the child goes missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child met the staff, enjoyed a visit to the home and stayed for one night at the home before moving in, which has helped her to settle quickly. Her family has visited the home and she has personalised her bedroom, giving her a sense of belonging.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Routines in the home run smoothly and the child has a comprehensive placement plan in place. The staff support the child effectively to attend school. Previously, the child was often refusing to go to school. However, since arriving at the home she has a very good level of attendance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child’s health needs are met in the home. She eats healthy and nutritious meals with the staff at the dining room table. The manager is ensuring that the child’s emotional needs are met through the nurturing care from the staff and consultation with healthcare professionals when needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of care provided in the home is comprehensively monitored through regular visits to the home by an independent person and through rigorous management oversight. A comprehensive development plan for the home is in place. This details how the further improvements that have been planned will be carried out within specific timescales. All requirements from the previous inspection are met. Inspection report for children's home: 1254740 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/09/2019 Full Good 16/07/2018 Full Good 30/01/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: 1254740 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home, as far as possible, maintains a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ appearance; in particular, ensure that window restrictors fitted in the home are necessary and of a domestic appearance. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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, 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 for children's home: 1254740 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: South West Childcare Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Second Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 4AH

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Inspector

Tina Maddison, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1254740 6 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

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

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