Children's Home run by Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited in Devon

Inspection report for children's home: 1256771 1 Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three children. It is operated by a private company that has several other children’s homes in the same area.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post is currently vacant. A manager has been appointed and is in the process of submitting his application to register.

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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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1256771 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/10/2021 Full Outstanding 10/12/2019 Full Outstanding 28/01/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/05/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1256771 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Outcomes for children since the last inspection have been mixed. One child left the home in line with their plan. They moved successfully to an independent living arrangement, having made good progress. Another child left the home only a short time after they had moved in, as staff were unable to meet their needs and keep them safe. One child remains in the home. She has lived at the home for five years and continues to make good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from the consistent boundaries and routines in the home, which run smoothly and help the child to feel safe. The child enjoys good relationships with the staff, who provide her with loving and nurturing care and a sense of belonging. These relationships provide the basis from which she is gaining confidence and self- esteem and is making progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff understand the importance of educational attendance. The child benefits from attending a college course that is meeting her educational needs and is equipping her with the vocational skills that she will need to gain employment. The staff offer the child a range of activities and she enjoys meeting with her friends, who are always welcome to visit the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff obtain appropriate services promptly for the child when needed, so that her emotional and physical health needs are comprehensively met. The child says that she values the help she is receiving with her mental health needs from the company’s therapists, who visit her weekly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Placement plans offer staff detailed guidance about how best to meet the care needs of the child. The child is approaching an age where she is preparing to leave the home. The staff say she has the skills that she will need to live independently, such as cooking and budgeting. However, there is not a documented plan in place that details the skills the child has achieved, and what the next steps are to ensure a smooth and planned move from the home.

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

The staff are vigilant and know the child well. They demonstrate confidence in following the home’s comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures. The child says she feels safe and can speak to all members of staff if she feels worried or upset.

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

The staff reflect and learn from any incidents. There were concerning incidents recently during the time that one child lived in the home. The staff worked effectively to keep her safe and demonstrated professional curiosity when the child went missing, using a contextual safeguarding approach. Incidents were promptly reported to safeguarding professionals when necessary. Inspection report for children's home: 1256771 4 Internet safety is a priority in the home. The child receives education and support about how best to keep herself safe when using social media or the internet. This helps her to understand any potential risks to her safety.

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

The child benefits from the staff allowing her to learn from any mistakes and praising positive behaviour, rather than using a punitive approach. The child’s behaviour is much improved from her starting point. She is now able to calm herself and recognise her feelings and how best to manage them, such as channelling her energy positively through physical activities or confiding in the staff.

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

Recruitment procedures are rigorous and robust and ensure that only suitable people are employed at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is now stable, following eight months of change. The manager is in the process of submitting his application for registration. He was previously the registered manager but resigned and left the home for eight months. A replacement manager was promptly appointed but resigned soon after. During the time the home was without a manager, it was overseen effectively by senior managers. Five staff members and two children also left the home during this time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is well respected by the child and the staff, who are extremely pleased that he has returned to the manager’s role. He provides strong leadership. The placing social worker and staff report positively on his leadership and the positive impact he is having on the home since his return.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is aware of the strengths of the home and the areas for improvement. The home’s development plan is informed by a robust quality assurance system. Leaders and managers promote a learning environment where the staff are motivated and clear about their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child benefits from being cared for by a core team of staff who are well trained and supported by the manager. The recent appointment of new members of staff means that there is now a full staff team. The manager plans for the new staff to be trained and embedded in their roles before another child is admitted to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home provides the child with a homely and well-decorated environment. The child says that she really likes her bedroom and enjoys having an en-suite bathroom. Her room is personalised, with photos of the child and her family and friends. This helps the child to develop a sense of belonging.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from the child, professionals and the staff is entirely positive. Placing social workers value the home, are impressed with the progress their child is making and state that they would readily place another child in the home in the future. Inspection report for children's home: 1256771 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff help each child to prepare for any move from the home, whether they are returning home, moving to another placement or adult care, or to live independently. This includes supporting the child to develop emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home’s support and, where the child is moving to live independently, practical skills such as cooking, housework, budgeting and personal self-care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27)

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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: 1256771 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Support Hub, Unit 5, Chinon Court, Lower Moor Way, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6SS

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Inspector

Tina Maddison, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1256771 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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