Children's home run by Somerset Council in Somerset

Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 1 SC066055 Registered provider: Somerset County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This small home provides overnight short breaks, shared care and permanent accommodation, where appropriate, for children who have a wide range of needs, including complex health needs, learning difficulties and physical difficulties. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home and three other children visit for short breaks.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since December 2014.

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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

Date of last inspection: 8 December 2021

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/12/2021 Full Good 24/09/2019 Full Good 04/07/2018 Full Good 22/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive good-quality care and support from a team of staff who know the children well and have a good understanding of their individual needs. Staff develop extremely positive relationships with children and place them at the centre of their care. Parents and social workers speak highly of the care that children receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A child who lives at the home told the inspector that he is happy living here. He likes the staff and his bedroom. At this inspection, the inspector observed staff interacting with children in a caring, nurturing and supportive manner.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children thoroughly enjoy a wide range of activities. During this inspection, the inspector observed children happily playing with their favourite toys, watching a DVD and going out to the local shops and community facilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a homely environment that is welcoming, inclusive and adapted to meet their needs. As a result of staying at this home, children make progress in their communication skills and independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff send monthly reports to parents and social workers. The reports identify the progress that children are making and include a summary of the children’s stay. Parents and social workers who contributed to this inspection said that these reports are extremely helpful and informative.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are met. Some children have complex needs. If children are unwell, staff ensure that appropriate and timely action is taken. This may include the need to attend an accident and emergency department. A parent and social workers said that staff are good at contacting them if there are any queries or concerns in relation to the children’s health needs.

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

Children are safe at this home. Parents and social workers who contributed to this inspection say that they do not have any concerns about the safety and well-being of the children. If concerns are raised in relation to a child’s safety, the registered manager works effectively with external safeguarding partners to ensure that children are safe.

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

If children become upset, staff respond effectively and support them well to manage their emotions and feelings. However, despite staff support, and if children continue to be upset, the registered manager is effective in raising her concerns. She ensures that a multi-agency approach is used to work together to improve the outcomes for children. This demonstrates good partnership working. Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 4 The registered manager ensures that all staff receive regular safeguarding training and training in the home’s chosen method of physical intervention. In addition, the registered manager and senior staff have received specific training in matters relating to the deprivation of liberty. Staff receive this training as part of the physical intervention training. Staff have a good awareness and understanding in relation to the deprivation of liberty.

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

The registered manager ensures that children’s support plans, behaviour support plans and risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. Staff have a good working knowledge of these documents. Staff who contributed to this inspection said that the plans and assessments are helpful and ensure continuity and consistency of care.

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

The registered manager has thorough oversight of incidents. Most incidents are low level. She scrutinises these records effectively to look for trends and triggers. Restraint is rarely used. If it is used, this is as a last resort to keep children and others safe.

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

The registered manager ensures that there are good systems in place for the management of medicines. However, staff do not always sign the records to confirm that daily checks have been undertaken on medical equipment.

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

Leaders and managers ensure that there are effective systems in place in relation to staff recruitment and selection. This supports the safeguarding of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A competent, well-qualified registered manager manages the home. She places the children at the centre of her practice and promotes a strong culture that ‘children come first’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a thorough understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. She has completed a detailed review of the quality of care. However, the most recent review does not contain clear statements about what has improved following consultation with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well qualified and receive mandatory training and refresher training. In addition, they receive specific training on issues including child exploitation, attachments awareness, autism spectrum disorder awareness and epilepsy. Staff who contributed to this inspection said that they feel valued and well supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager ensures that complaints and/or concerns are managed effectively. Since the last inspection, Ofsted has received a whistleblowing concern. Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 5 This concern was reviewed at this inspection. The inspector was satisfied with the actions that leaders and managers have taken in relation to the concerns raised.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from parents, social workers and other professionals is extremely positive. Parents, social workers and healthcare staff speak of the effective communication with managers and staff. This demonstrates the importance that the home places on working together to improve the outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s records on each child are individualised specifically to include details of the actions staff take to check medical equipment and demonstrate that children’s medical needs are met. In particular, all records should be signed by managers. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)  The registered person should ensure that the quality of care review contains the feedback and opinions of children about the home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 64, paragraph 15.2)

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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 children’s home: SC066055 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4DY

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Inspector

David Kidner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 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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