Children's home run by Empower Residentials Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2595791 1 Registered provider: Empower Residentials Limited 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 and accommodation for up to three children. The provider states in its statement of purpose that care is provided for children with social and emotional difficulties and/or for children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post is currently vacant. A manager was appointed in October 2021 and he has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 2 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 2 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2595791 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

Since the last inspection, a new manager has been appointed and he has applied to register with Ofsted. Staff speak well of the support and guidance that they receive. Staff say that the manager is approachable and that they feel listened to.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have a clear focus and vision to drive improvement. They have recently completed a comprehensive review of the quality of care and identified a wide range of improvements. This review has informed the home’s development plan. The development plan is comprehensive and is regularly reviewed and evaluated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have taken effective action to address the four requirements and two recommendations that were made at the last inspection. These have been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers respond effectively to recommendations made by the independent person. The independent person visits the home regularly but does not always comment in the report about whether children are safeguarded effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following a brief period of concerns about a child’s emotional well-being and subsequent serious incidents, leaders and managers decided that they could not keep the child safe. As a result of this, the child moved to alternative accommodation. Staff supported the child to move to their new home and helped them to settle in. This move was undertaken in a professional and caring manner. Following this, leaders and managers completed a review of the events leading up to the child leaving. Leaders, managers and staff have reflected on their practice, identified lessons learned and have implemented them in practice, including making the decision not to rush to move another child into the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is very homely and is furnished and decorated to a high standard. Children have full access to all areas of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A child recently moved into the home. This was undertaken in a well-planned and sensitive manner to meet his individual needs. He did not have to move school. This has provided him with continuity and consistency in his education. The child is in full-time education. Inspection report for children’s home: 2595791 3 The child told the inspector that he visited this home before moving in and that he chose the colour of the paint for his bedroom. He said that he is very happy living here; he likes the activities and feels safe and very well cared for. He said that staff listen to his views, and he is encouraged to be more independent. He says that he would speak to the staff if he was worried. The child’s social worker also speaks well of the quality of care he is receiving and the good communication with the staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager scrutinises incident records effectively to look for triggers and trends. Following an incident, he ensures that discussions are held with the child to seek his views of the incident and how to support him to learn to manage his emotions more effectively. However, the language used in some records to describe the child’s behaviours is institutionalised and not always clear.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

It is rare that the child goes missing. However, staff take effective action to keep in contact with the child and look for him to ensure his safe and swift return. When the child returns home, staff hold discussions with him about what happened and provide good care and support. The manager ensures that an independent return home interview takes place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager ensures that the child receives the care and support to meet his specific healthcare needs, including his emotional health and well-being. The child’s care plans and risk assessments are detailed and are regularly reviewed and updated. In addition, staff receive specific training to meet the child’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2595791 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2595791 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

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2595791 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Empower Residentials Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2, Prockters Farm, Empower Support Services, West Monkton, Somerset TA2 8QN

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Inspector

David Kidner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2595791 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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