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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2509684 1 Registered provider: Keys Group Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

It has become part of a different national organisation of children’s homes, and a new manager has been registered.

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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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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 9 September 2020 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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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

Date of last inspection: 27 February 2020

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: declined in effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2509684 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/02/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness 25/06/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2509684 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, leaders have appointed a new manager and team of staff. This has positively affected the safety and progress of the children who live there.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff create a warm and caring home environment. This is reflected in the numerous photos of the children and certificates of school achievements placed around the home. The home is situated in a rural setting. Staff and the children make good use of the large garden. It has a variety of activities, including a trampoline and a chicken and rabbit enclosure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have helped one child to make considerable progress at the home. She regularly attends school and enjoys outdoor activities. Staff encourage the child’s interest in horses. She regularly attends a local stable, where she cares for the animals and receives counselling to meet her emotional needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff celebrate all the children’s achievements. Staff regularly thank the children for their contribution to the home in written stories in their memory books. They also have activity photo books to remember days out with the other children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager carefully introduces children to the home. She encourages children to make each other welcome in order to help them settle into their new home. One child writes a welcome message and makes a gift box for children arriving at the home. The children’s guide reassures the children that ‘We will be there no matter what!’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager has effective discussions with other agencies to make sure that the children can make progress without delay. For example, she has made sure that one child, who was recently placed out of county, is quickly enrolled in a local school. The manager recognises that it is beneficial to the child to make local friends and to join after-school activities in the local area.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the children to stay in touch with their family and friends. Children are encouraged to celebrate special occasions with their families. Equally, staff sensitively support children to handle difficult or sad news about their families.

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

The manager balances the identified risks to make sure that the children are safe. She also allows them to develop some independence and make their own choices.

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

The children have all made progress towards building trusting relationships with staff. Staff provide a consistent approach to protecting the children. This has helped Inspection report for children’s home: 2509684 4 one child to build her confidence and reduce her levels of anxiety. She can now recognise situations which may harm her and share her concerns with staff.

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

The manager and staff recognise that progress varies for each child. One child still goes missing from home. However, staff work closely with the child’s family and professionals to share information about her likely whereabouts. Staff make tireless efforts to find her. They are consistent in their care and support of the child on her return. Overall, this approach has reduced the number of missing-from-care episodes and the child’s exposure to substance misuse.

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

The manager and staff remain respectfully curious about the children’s internet activity. The children trust the staff and can openly discuss the contents of their phone with them.

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

Leaders and managers demonstrate awareness of good safeguarding practice. They have implemented safe recruitment procedures. Staff know what to do if they have a concern.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works closely with other professionals to monitor the effectiveness of the care provided to the children. Leaders and managers regularly update the home’s action plan. They have met the requirement set out in the previous inspection report.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

During the COVID-19 crisis, leaders were still able to appoint a skilled manager and stable staff team. There are no agency staff. Staff morale is good. Leaders and managers appreciate the staff’s skills and commitment to the home. They are encouraged to adapt their practice to effectively meet the needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to clinical support to check that they are using the right approach to help children feel safe. For example, one child responds well to sensory lighting and furnishings in her room to help her feel calm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff work with the children to achieve their individual goals. They involve the child, other professionals, and the children’s families to help the children. The manager is confident to raise issues with other agencies about the children’s progress. Feedback from other professionals is positive. They are impressed with the manager and how the staff care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have found ways to improve relationships with their neighbours. The manager has listened to feedback. She has found common projects, for example delivering eggs and fruit tree pruning, to integrate the home into the local community. Inspection report for children’s home: 2509684 5

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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: 2509684 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Halesowen B63 8AH

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Inspector

Justine Hosking, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2509684 7 regulates and inspects 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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