Children's home run by Solent Child Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1227788 1 Registered provider: Solent Childcare Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a small private provider. The home can provide care for up to two children. There are two children currently living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2017.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 14 December 2021

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1227788 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/12/2021 Full Good 09/07/2019 Full Good 21/11/2018 Full Good 09/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1227788 3

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outstanding

Children thrive while living in this home. They experience high-quality care from a team of staff who know the children well and understand their individual needs. Staff also understand the ethos of the home and the care it delivers, which means that children experience consistent safe parenting. Therapeutic care is a thread that runs seamlessly throughout the home. This provides the consistency, routines, boundaries and play that children need to flourish.

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outstanding

Children make exceptional progress. For example, one child has developed maturity, confidence and self-assurance. A key, trusted member of staff supports the child to engage in therapy sessions. As a result, the child is developing the skills to identify how they feel and to seek help and support when needed. The child is able to take part meaningfully in their review meetings and to share their views about their care.

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outstanding

Both of the children’s progress at school is outstanding. An education professional describes one child as a model student. He linked the child’s excellent progress to the stable and secure base provided by staff in this home. A professional for the other child highlights the ‘incredible difference’ that moving to the home has made for the child. They are now attending school regularly and are able to engage in learning, which was not previously possible.

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outstanding

Staff are ambitious for children. They understand children’s historical experiences and individual needs. They work tirelessly to overcome barriers and to support children to make progress. Staff recognise the different needs of the children, setting bespoke targets appropriate for their individual stages of development. For example, staff are helping one child to rapidly develop their own self-care skills through ambitious targets and consistent support. Staff relentlessly pursue opportunities for children to develop their social skills. Staff recognise and understand the impact of children’s individual needs on what they can do and consider this when planning outings. This positive attitude from staff influences the views of children. One child has encouraged the other to attend a local group, talking positively about their own experiences.

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outstanding

Staff support children to spend time with those who are important to them. The manager strongly advocates for children and the importance of their enduring family relationships. Staff provide ongoing support for children who leave the home. They recognise their role as part of an extended support system that young people can call on for advice. This shows children living at the home that the dedication and care from staff go beyond their time there.

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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1227788 4 Children’s behaviour shows they feel safe in the home. They enjoy strong connections with key staff. This allows them to share worries or concerns they might have. Behaviour plans help staff to understand how to best support children. Staff benefit from regular consultation with a clinical psychologist. This helps staff to better understand the impact of trauma on the children.

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

Staff track incidents in the home to understand the children’s behavioural needs and development. Restraint is used as a last resort during incidents. Following an incident, staff have meaningful conversations with children to ensure they understand why they were restrained. Leaders and managers review incidents. However, the record of review does not always identify what learning has taken place following incidents.

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

Staff receive safeguarding training. There have been no safeguarding incidents identified in the home. However, there are missed opportunities for the manager to ensure staff knowledge remains current, for example through discussions at team meetings and supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A dynamic, experienced manager leads a staff team that strives for the best for children. Dedicated and committed staff provide excellent, consistent care for children. Staff work flexibly to support children and ensure they have positive experiences. Careful recruitment of new staff ensures their skills match children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager reflects on the quality of care in the home and across the wider organisation. She identifies both the good work that has been done and the areas where she wants to improve further. The manager’s approach embodies the therapeutic ethos of the home, which then comes through in staff practice. Therefore, although some staff are yet to complete formal training, they understand the practical application of therapeutic parenting. Team meetings continue the thread of therapeutic care, and children are central to all discussions. Staff make meaningful use of a clinical psychologist in team meetings to explore relationships and identify consistent parenting approaches.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children live in an environment which embodies that of a positive family home. Staff cultivate a comfortable, clean space filled with toys and games for children. As a result, children enjoy spending time in the communal areas. Children enjoy the predictable routines staff use, such as ‘fake-away Friday’ and roast dinners on Sundays. This provides children with continuity of experience among the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals speak extremely highly of the home. Two professionals state they wish they could replicate the care and support given to children by staff. They identify the exceptional progress children make and the benefit of the parenting approach for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 1227788 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they review incidents of restraint to identify areas for learning, and they should include the information that plans are being updated with. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that they promote staff awareness of safeguarding through the use of refresher activities, given the low incidence of safeguarding concerns in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12)

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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: 1227788 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solent Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 9 St Georges Yard, Castle Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7LW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Charlotte Tanner

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Inspector

Clare Nixson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1227788 7 regulates and inspects 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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