Children's Home run by T. How Homely Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2599773 1 Registered provider: T. How Homely Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home that provides care for up to two children who may have emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since September 2021 and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 9 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 9 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2599773 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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No children lived at the home for a short period of time following the last inspection. A new manager was appointed, and several new staff members were recruited. Most of the staff have a level 3 diploma. All the staff have completed the required mandatory training. This means that the staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide good care to the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child is living at the home and is making good progress in all areas of their development. The child’s move into the home was well planned and included several visits to enable familiarisation with the environment and staff. The child said: ‘This is the longest and best placement I have ever had. The manager and staff are nice. I feel comfortable here and I really like it. I have no complaints at all.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are ambitious for the child. They have established consistent daily routines for the child to help them settle and get on track to make progress. This has resulted in a child that was previously reluctant to engage in education now achieving high attendance. The headteacher at school said, ‘He is building good relationships at school. The staff encourage him to attend on days he really does not want to. The home has put the time in, gone on a journey with him; they have not let him down.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has improved the structure of how children’s views are gained. Conversations and meetings are held regularly to ensure the child is fully included in the running of the home. For example, the lounge was recently redecorated, and the child chose the colours. The weekly menu is also planned with the child, and healthy eating is promoted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Activities are encouraged, and the child enjoys going to the cinema, bowling, trampolining, skating and going out shopping. Such activities increase social skills, confidence and self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff have developed good relationships with professionals and parents. The child’s mother spoke positively about the consistency of the staff and the great communication levels, and she described the care provided as ‘fantastic’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has made improvements to risk assessments. These now provide staff with the necessary strategies to minimise potential dangers. These assessments are updated regularly. They include the child’s views and recognise improvements in behaviour. The manager ensures that staff are aware of any new guidance to reduce risks and keep the child safe. Inspection report for children's home: 2599773 3 Staff receive good-quality supervision which prioritises the child’s needs and their own professional development. Staff say they feel supported by the manager in their roles.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidents of children going missing, complaints or any safeguarding incidents since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent person visits monthly and provides well-considered reports that recommend actions for improvement. The manager appreciates these considered reports and uses them to ensure that the development of the home continues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been five physical interventions, and the frequency of these incidents is reducing. Staff know the child well. They recognise any changes in behaviours. The staff are skilful at de-escalating incidents. The manager has reviewed the incidents and gained the views of the child. However, the manager was also involved in some of these incidents. This lack of independent scrutiny potentially compromises the integrity of the review.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A review of the quality of care provided for children has been submitted to Ofsted. However, the report does not contain a detailed review of the full six-month period. This means opportunities have been missed to evaluate the quality of care provided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met seven of the requirements and the three recommendations from the last inspection. One requirement has been restated. Inspection report for children's home: 2599773 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2599773 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

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This is with particular regard to ensuring that any review, debriefing and monitoring of an incident are carried out by people who are not directly involved in the specific incident being reviewed. 06 May 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report"). (Regulation 45 (1) (3))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 06 May 2022 Inspection report for children's home: 2599773 6

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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: 2599773 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: T. How Homely Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: T. How Homely Limited, Main Road, Middleton Cheney, Banbury OX17 2PW

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Inspector

Lynne Drage, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2599773 8 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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