Children's Home run by Wessex College Limited in Wiltshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC407430 1 SC407430 Registered provider: Wessex College Limited 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 four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in April 2020.

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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: 12 January 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 12 January 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC407430 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, two children have moved from the home. One child moved to return to live with her family in accordance with her plan.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the admission of another child to the home, it quickly became clear that the staff were unable to manage her behaviour safely and she was having a negative impact on the other three children in the home. Leaders and managers took swift and decisive action and asked the placing authority to find an alternative home for the child where her needs could be met. The placing authority agreed that they had not provided the manager with accurate information about the extent of the child’s complex care needs and moved the child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is settled, daily routines are running smoothly and the three children are making progress in line with their plans. Two of the children are approaching the time when they will move on to supported independent living arrangements. The adults in the home are carefully preparing them for this move. The children have gained part-time jobs and are learning the independent living skills that they will need in the future, such as budgeting and cooking.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Many improvements to the home have taken place since the last inspection. The children have been fully involved in choosing new furniture, carpets and colour schemes. The home is now offering a homely and comfortable environment that the children are proud of and where they are gaining a sense of belonging. In accordance with the development plan, work is continuing to further improve the kitchen and bathrooms and replace bedroom doors.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The adults in the home are consistent, well trained and report a positive change in the culture of the home. They are motivated and enthusiastic and are providing nurturing care to the children, who are responding by not going missing, are making educational progress and are settled. The home does not use agency staff. If an adult is absent because of sickness or a holiday, then other adults cover the shifts to ensure consistency and stability for the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children feel safe living in the home and report they can speak with all adults if they feel worried or upset. Safeguarding procedures are robust and staff are confident to use them if necessary. Inspection report for children’s home: SC407430 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/04/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/01/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/05/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/10/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC407430 4

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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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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home provides a homely and domestic environment and that any damage is promptly repaired. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3)

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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: SC407430 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Wessex College Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Samantha Choules

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Inspector

Tina Maddison, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC407430 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

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