Children's home run by Solent Child Care Limited

Inspection report children's home: 1227788 1 Registered provider: Solent Child Care Ltd Full 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 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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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 1227788 2

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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 children's home: 1227788 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy consistency and stability in a welcoming and relaxed home. One child described the home as ‘great, safe and homely’. Children benefit from positive, nurturing relationships with an experienced and established staff team. Staff help children to understand themselves and their own needs, leading to progress and achievement. Careful planning results in opportunities for children to develop confidence and independence appropriate to their age. Children experience a wide range of days out, both together and individually. Children enjoyed a holiday to Cornwall, and one child visited Scotland for a short break. Staff support children to take part in local community events and made a scarecrow for Halloween and a window display for Christmas.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education settings that meet their needs. Leaders and managers advocate for children where there are concerns about access to education. As a result, one child is attending college and engaged in her learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop relationships with their families. This has led to a reunification plan for one child. Social workers value the support provided to nurture these relationships. Parents feel that their children are well cared for and that staff communicate effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to complain. Both children have access to independent advocacy. There has been one complaint from a child, which was investigated. However, feedback of findings to the child is not recorded.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s health and maintain clear records. Leaders and managers have well-developed risk assessments around COVID-19. Children experienced safe and supportive responses when one child tested positive for COVID-19.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children say that they feel safe and know who to talk to if they have worries. Staff have positive relationships with the children based on trust and openness. Staff know what children are doing, which enables them to intervene at the earliest possible opportunity and prevents concerns escalating.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Behaviour is well managed. Children regularly receive positive rewards. Staff understand the children and how to support them and, as a result, there are few incidents. Behaviour-support plans are clear. Sanctions make use of natural consequences and are proportionate. Children are fully involved when sanctions are given.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessments identify current risks and actions required to mitigate them. Systems are in place to ensure that staff read important documents. Although Inspection report children's home: 1227788 4 incidents are low, staff are familiar with processes and procedures relating to safeguarding.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Recruitment processes are thorough and ensure that staff are safely recruited. The manager ensures that effective systems are in place to maintain a safe physical environment throughout the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A qualified and enthusiastic manager leads the home. Qualified and experienced staff work collaboratively to support children. Staff are passionate about their roles and report feeling supported by leaders and managers. Varied training opportunities are available for staff. However, some of the training has not been updated for some years, meaning staff may not be aware of current approaches.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works effectively with professionals to ensure that they understand and meet children’s needs. Leaders and managers challenge the local authority to seek clarity and consistency. Professionals speak positively about the home and the support provided to children, noting the stability and progress achieved. They report that communication is efficient.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Clear and up-to-date records reflect the quality of care in the home. However, placement plans and risk assessments have become lengthy as new information is added. This means it is not immediately clear to the reader what information is most pertinent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External monitoring by the independent person does not provide leaders and managers with sufficient information about the strengths and weaknesses of the home, including feedback from parents and professionals. Inspection report children's home: 1227788 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

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager should ensure that the independent person obtains feedback from parents, professionals and staff about their experiences of working with the home. 28 January 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that records contain clear, pertinent information that relates to current circumstances for children, and that responses to complaints are clearly recorded for children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that staff training is updated to reflect new research and developments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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: 1227788 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solent Child Care Ltd

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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

Clare Nixson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 1227788 7 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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