Children's home run by Devon County Council

Inspection report for children's home: 2530021 1 Registered provider: Devon County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a local authority and registered to provide care for up to three children, primarily as a short-break service. The children may have a physical and/or learning disability and/or sensory impairment.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is managed by an experienced and qualified manager.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2530021 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 05/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/02/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 04/12/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2530021 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from spending time in this home. For many, this is their only opportunity to spend time with peers outside of an education environment. Children enjoy the space available in the home, especially the large garden. Water play is a favourite activity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home offers additional support for children to attend appointments or access resources when parents have found this difficult. Carers have also been persistent in attempts to secure a full-time education provision for one child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Several children have made considerable progress since coming to stay at the home. For example, one child is now able to manage personal care without help from staff. Others have improved their communication skills and ability to make choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents and professionals are positive about the home and the care of children. Parents feel able to contact carers for advice and have experienced a positive, helpful response to any concerns they have. The team works collaboratively with others in the best interests of children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a record of their time in the home through ‘My Story’ documents. Milestones are celebrated and support is provided when children move on from the home.

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

Children are safe in this home. Many children have little or no concept of risk and always need adult support when out in the community. The home and garden cannot be accessed by visitors without carers allowing entry.

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

Risk assessments are in place as part of care plans and behaviour management support plans. Additional risk assessments associated with activities and community access are in place. These individualised plans inform carers of how to keep children safe and avoid unnecessary risk-taking.

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

Behaviour management is based on an understanding of children’s needs. Carers respond successfully to subtle changes in children’s behaviour which could indicate raised anxiety or distress.

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

Arrangements for the effective administration, storage and recording of medication are in place. Carers administering medication must complete training and all carers are first-aid trained. Inspection report for children's home: 2530021 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a qualified, experienced and dedicated manager. She has the confidence of carers, parents and professionals. Support is readily available within the wider organisation from the responsible individual. Both leaders are child- focused qualified professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home provides the services as described in its statement of purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The induction and training provided enables carers to fulfil their roles and responsibilities to the children. Additional support is also available to carers, alongside regular supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the previous inspection, carers have been providing essential support to another home in the wider organisation. This has led to the cancellation of some short breaks for children. The disruption to children and their families has been kept to a minimum. Parents said they understood and were able to manage these situations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Successful recruitment drives have now addressed staffing shortages associated with COVID-19. The home now has a full team of carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The strengths and weakness of the home are understood. A development plan is in place to aid progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Limited improvements have been made to the environment since the previous inspection. Several areas need updating, refurbishing and redecorating. Plans to improve the environment have yet to be realised. A recommendation to implement change has been repeated. Inspection report for children's home: 2530021 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home is a homely, domestic environment. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene, etc); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2530021 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Devon County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Devon County Council, Chief Executive’s Directorate, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD

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Inspector

Janice Hawtin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2530021 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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