Children's Home run by Utopia Children’s Services Ltd in North Somerset

Inspection report for children’s home: 1236916 1 Registered provider: Utopia Children’s Services Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider and offers care for up to three children and young people. The provider states in its statement of purpose that care is provided for children and young people with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since the home was registered in June 2016.

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Inspection date: 21 February 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 21 February 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1236916 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.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection on 11 May 2021, six requirements were made. There were concerns about whether all of the children’s needs could be met and the leadership and management of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since then, the manager and staff have worked well to provide the three children who have continued to live in the home with positive experiences. The inspection found that the requirements are now met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have made progress since the previous inspection. That said, not all the children are making sufficient progress. All of the children have had access to learning opportunities, and records evidence the attempts made by staff to ensure that the children remain motivated and engaged with their learning. For two of the children living in the home, their engagement with learning means they are attending college regularly and engaging with their home tutor. Two of the children told the inspector that they had plans to learn to drive and complete their education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support the children to visit their family and friends. One child has been able to develop his confidence sufficiently to be able to use public transport safely, and there are plans in place to support this child to learn to travel independently.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Unfortunately, despite attempts made by the staff and professionals, one child has for the most part disengaged with their education. Furthermore, this child is choosing to not always participate in the social activities the staff provide. For this reason, this child is not in education or training and is refusing to accept support for their mental health. The manager is working closely with the local authority to make plans to remedy this situation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, staff have completed several training courses and say that they receive regular supervision. This has helped them to better support the children. One member of staff told the inspector that they felt the home was more settled and staff are consistent in how they support the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have been consulted with and involved in the improvement of the home environment. There are spaces in the home dedicated to the children’s education and there are plans to update the children’s bathroom.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, there have been no notifiable incidents and in the main staff are better placed to support the children. When incidents have taken Inspection report for children’s home: 1236916 3 place, there is evidence of management oversight and internal investigations are completed in line with protocol.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations were made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1236916 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/01/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/07/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/01/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1236916 5

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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: 1236916 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Utopia Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 9, Wheatstone Court, Waterwells Business Park, Davy Way, Gloucester GL2 2AQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Louis Stuart-Kelso

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Inspector

Linda Bond, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1236916 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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