Children's Home run by 1848 Ltd in Somerset

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2491059 1 Registered provider: 1848 Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. The statement of purpose states that the home can provide care for up to three children. At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The post of registered manager has been vacant since August 2022. A new manager has been appointed who is applying to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 6 December 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 6 December 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2491059 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Since the previous inspection, one child has moved into the home and one child has moved out. Both moves were well planned and successful.

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The care of children

Care plans and risk assessments have been reviewed. They now align with the local authoritiess’ care plans and reflect the children’s current needs and behaviours. Targets to maximise children’s progress are realistic and achievable. As a result, both children are making positive progress with their social and independence skills. For example, they are making safer choices, travelling independently on public transport and spending quality time with people who are important to them.

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The care of children

Children’s educational needs are met and promoted well. Both children enjoy learning and their attendance is good. The registered manager and her team work closely with education services to ensure children receive the support they need and that they meet their educational targets. When appropriate, the team shares any concerns that may have a potential impact on the children’s engagement with their education.

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The care of children

The manager has ensured that a multi-agency approach is used to manage one child’s complex needs and behaviours. She has developed a positive and cohesive working relationship with external agencies. She strongly advocates for the children in her care and confidently challenges agencies to ensure they meet their statutory responsibilities.

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The safety of children

Children’s safety and well-being are prioritised. All staff regularly refresh their safeguarding knowledge and are up to date with mandatory safeguarding training. When concerns or allegations are raised, the manager takes appropriate action and maintains effective relationships with safeguarding agencies. Records are well maintained and detail the concern, the actions taken and the outcome. Despite this good work, the manager has not reported a recent safeguarding concern to Ofsted as required.

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The safety of children

Children and staff are confident to raise any concerns they have with the manager and senior leaders. The manager takes effective and decisive action when poor practice is identified. Similarly, complaints are acknowledged and responded to well. The actions taken and the outcomes are clearly documented. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2491059 3 In recent weeks, there has been a need to increase staffing levels. The manager and team have, when possible, worked extra shifts to maintain continuity of care for the children. Where there have been gaps to be covered, the manager has used bank and agency staff. The manager ensures all temporary staff are vetted for their suitability, experience and skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, a new manager has been appointed who is in the process of registering with Ofsted. The manager has had a positive impact on the home since her appointment. She provides strong and effective leadership. She has a good understanding of the team’s strengths and weaknesses. Collectively, the team is working hard to improve the quality of care and services that are provided for the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Three of the four requirements and the two recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met. The manager has introduced new monitoring systems and shares lessons learned from her findings. Overall, this has improved staff’s understanding of regulations, their practice and the quality of care children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has implemented changes to staff supervisions and team meetings. Good planning takes place before these meetings. The manager ensures staff are provided with an opportunity to review the impact of their caregiving and she ensures that the team is given time to reflect individually and as a team on the decisions and actions taken when managing some children’s complex needs and behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the previous inspection, training for staff has progressed. All staff are compliant with mandatory and specialist training. The professional in-house healthcare services are used well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager’s internal monitoring is effective. Information from monitoring is used effectively to identify patterns and trends of behaviours and how well children are progressing. External audits take place regularly and are of a good quality. The manager shares the information and recommendations made by the independent visitor with her team. This helps them all to improve the quality of care they provide for the children. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2491059 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/02/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2491059 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 notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any [other] incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 January 2023 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2491059 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Old Bank Buildings, East Street, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0AJ

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Inspector

Sharron Escott, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2491059 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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