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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1277304 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 November 2021. A suitably experienced manager has been appointed.

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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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Inspection date: 21 December 2021

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 21 December 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1277304 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 the interim inspection, Ofsted judges 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 largely new staff team. The home has been redecorated and is now offering the children a homely and comfortable environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child has moved to the home, following a careful matching process. The child has experienced many previous moves, but is settling well due to the calm and nurturing approach from the staff. The children are getting on well and the home is calm and settled.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children report they feel safe living at the home and can speak to all the staff members if they are upset or worried. The manager and the staff are very vigilant and are gently curious. They notice any changes in a child’s behaviour and are supporting the children to feel able to disclose anything that they are worried about and promptly take the necessary safeguarding action. This approach gives the young people a sense of safety and belonging.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are supported to learn from their mistakes and are praised for positive behaviour and their achievements. Behaviour is managed effectively and incidents are rare. If an incident does happen, the manager provides a comprehensive oversight. Any learning from an incident is discussed in team meetings and during individual staff supervision sessions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are enjoying attending youth groups in the community that were closed during the COVID-19 restrictions. This means that they are once again able to meet other children in the community who share their interests.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The health needs of the children are met in the home. Healthy eating is encouraged. The children are learning to be more independent and to budget, shop and cook for themselves. However, the staff are not always recording what the children are eating, so that this can be monitored by managers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers are now providing comprehensive management oversight. In the interim period between the new manager starting her role and the previous manager leaving the home, a manager from the company has been overseeing the home. There is now a rigorous system of quality monitoring in place, regular quality audits undertaken by the provider and monthly visits from an independent person. Inspection report for children’s home: 1277304 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/04/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/08/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1277304 4

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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: 1277304 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: 1277304 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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