Children's home run by The Drive Care Homes Ltd in Bexley

Inspection report for children’s home: SC040175 1 SC040175 Registered provider: The Drive Care Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to eight children aged up to 18 years with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2017 and is suitably qualified.

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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 outstanding

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC040175 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/03/2022 Full Outstanding 12/11/2019 Full Good 18/06/2018 Full Good 08/01/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC040175 3

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, all eight children have remained living in the home. There are plans for two children to move on from the home in the near future to continue their progress. For one child, this will be a move on to adult services. A planned transition is in place to support this.

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outstanding

The registered manager and staff have high aspirations for children. They are focused on promoting their development and helping them to achieve their goals. As a result, all the children are making exceptional progress with their social skills and overall development. For example, one child has developed their self-care skills, is able to use cutlery and washes their hands before meals. This is a significant achievement for this child.

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outstanding

Staff celebrate children’s successes and achievements with them. One child, who was not in education for some time, has returned to school. This is because the registered manager advocated strongly on the child’s behalf and ensured that they were given the same opportunities and support as other children.

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outstanding

Children with complex health needs receive exceptional care from the registered manager and the staff team. Staff support all children to access the healthcare and treatment that they need. Staff’s support enables some children to learn how to manage their health conditions more independently, which has led to significant successes.

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outstanding

Staff promote and celebrate children’s individuality. For example, one child was sensitively supported to understand their culture and what this means for him and his family. This led to the child being able to attend a place of worship with his family with support from staff.

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outstanding

Staff creatively ensure that children’s families are involved in their children’s lives. For example, one child’s family will call and read their child a bedtime story. Another child has been supported by staff to go on a family holiday. This ensures that important relationships are nurtured when children are unable to live with their family.

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outstanding

Children live in a warm, homely environment. Each child personalises their bedroom to reflect their personality. For example, one child has a princess-themed bedroom, and another child has their favourite television show as a theme. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040175 4

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outstanding

Bespoke behaviour support plans guide staff on how to help children during their times of difficulty. Staff are skilled and creative at responding to children’s needs and understand how to manage their behaviour without needing to restrain children. Children who display very complex and challenging behaviours are supported holistically. This excellent approach to behavioural support means that children with the most significant needs have positive experiences.

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outstanding

Staff spend time with children. They teach them about risks and how they can be safer. For example, one child spent time with staff learning about road traffic light systems and what the different colours mean. Consequently, this child can now cross the road safely. Exceptional levels of support mean that children no longer go missing from care.

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outstanding

Staff support children to understand changes that may happen to their bodies as they grow up and the impact that these may have. This is done sensitively and in a way that does not embarrass children. Staff develop social stories to help children understand their behaviour and to teach them about positive and kind relationships.

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outstanding

Staff support children to understand boundaries and routines. This is done in a child- friendly way, using the child’s preferred method of communication. Incidents are well managed by staff and always reviewed by the registered manager. Challenging situations are discussed in team meetings, to review if there are any lessons to be learned to improve future practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is dedicated, passionate and advocates endlessly to ensure that children lead positive and fulfilling lives, despite their complex needs. The registered manager has excellent oversight of the home and understands the children’s day-to-day experiences and the quality of care that they receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are well supported by the registered manager and commend his commitment to the children. He ensures that this support is extended to all staff, including those who work at night. He dedicates time to their professional development and mentors them by working alongside them at night.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are given a thorough induction when they start working in the home, and all staff receive continued mentoring from managers. Staff have the required skills and qualifications to care for and support children. Supervision is regular, reflective and benefits staff’s development. One member of staff told the inspector, ‘I love working here, the manager cares about staff.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has plans to further develop the quality of care provided to children, for example by enhancing the use of social stories. He uses research to Inspection report for children’s home: SC040175 5 understand children’s communication needs and how these link to their behaviour. This constantly improves the children’s lives and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from professionals is complimentary about the care provided by the registered manager and staff. One social worker said the children have ‘thrived’. Another child’s social worker was supported by the registered manager to plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip abroad for the child. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040175 6

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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: SC040175 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Drive Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cyrinus House, 18 Hatherley Road, Sidcup DA14 4BG

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Inspector

Sara Stoker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC040175 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 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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