Children's home run by The Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education

Inspection report for children’s home: 2583028 1 Registered provider: The Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education Interim 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 four children between the ages of five and 17. According to the home’s statement of purpose, it provides care for children with social, emotional and behavioural challenges, as well as some form of deafness or communication difficulties.

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Inspection date: 7 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 11 October 2021

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Inspection date: 7 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 7 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2583028 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 this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, leaders and the manager have carried out a full recovery plan. The manager is now registered. He has rebuilt a stable, staff team where bank and agency staff are well managed. Staff are more confident and able to meet the needs of children. The manager describes how he has ‘moved from a firefighting phase to proactive planning and development’ of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children who live in the home have seen an ongoing transformation of their living environment. One child is pleased with the large cartoon mural on the wall of the games room. The children are happy to talk about the fun activities captured in their photos displayed in the home. One child is delighted to point out a photo taken when he held his first sparkler on bonfire night.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The progress of one child has been considerable since his arrival at the home. Staff help him to cope with new experiences. He is beginning to explore the world around him. Staff support his social, emotional and behavioural skills. He feels safe and staff listen to him. He trusts staff. He has gained in confidence and is able to join in new activities. He has input into the daily menu and is developing healthier eating options.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff put in place reasonable boundaries and routines to support the children. Staff have successfully set up a bedtime routine with one child. His sleep pattern has stabilised. Staff have been able to reduce his medication in consultation with other agencies. This also has a positive impact on the child’s height and weight. He is more able to engage at school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff are familiar with the case management system and how to record incidents effectively. These records are efficiently cross-referenced across the children’s files. Staff include a detailed account from the children. Children describe positive aspects of their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and the manager provide good management oversight, which is used to develop practice in the home. For example, the manager identified that a different approach was required to meet one child’s needs. He worked with a mental health provider to arrange a bespoke training workshop for staff. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of incidents involving the child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has good working relationships with other agencies and professionals. He regularly speaks to other professionals to monitor the health and education of the children he supports. He invites other professionals to team meetings to provide Inspection report for children’s home: 2583028 3 expert advice on how to meet the children’s needs. The manager is carefully planning the transition of one child to supported living, close to her family. He talks to the child, the local authority and the new provider to ensure that there is a positive transition for the child. He shares strategies on what works for the child to make sure she continues to receive effective support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has designed the training programme around the needs of the children. The manager invites external scrutiny, for example, from the school nurse, to provide a quality assurance role and audit the progress of the key aspects of the recovery plan.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the requirements and recommendation from the previous inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2583028 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2583028 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: 2583028 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Deaf Academy, 1 Douglas Avenue, Exmouth, Devon EX8 2AU

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Inspector

Justine Hosking, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2583028 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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