Children's Home run by South West Childcare Services in Plymouth

Inspection report children's home: 2539305 1 Registered provider: South West Childcare Services 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 support for one child who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is one of several children’s homes provided by a private organisation operating in this area.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since the home opened in April 2021.

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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: 13 October 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: 2539305 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/10/2021 Full Good 03/12/2019 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2539305 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home is situated in an urban area. It is well maintained and is personalised as soon as possible when children move in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child who recently left the home made considerable progress from their starting point. They were engaged in education and were supported to progress on to semi- independent living well. This child gained self-confidence and was supported to maintain healthy relationships, including with family members and peers, which they had struggled to do previously.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A child has very recently moved into the home. The child proudly showed the inspector their new bedroom and items of clothing which carers had taken them to buy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Door alarms are not always used in line with children’s needs. There is no clear rationale for the use of this restrictive practice. Opportunities are not taken to lessen this restriction when appropriate. The use of internal door locks is also not always necessary. This contributes to an institutional feel at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a video guide to the home, which is accessible for children. The children’s guide is also child-friendly.

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

The manager and her team have supported one child to flourish since the home opened to the organisation. The manager used research regarding the child’s specific needs to inform the support that the team provided, for example how the child processes information and the best way to help allay their anxieties.

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

Risk assessment and risk management guidance is clear and accessible for staff. These documents clearly depict how carers should support children at these times.

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

Behaviour support planning overall is of a good standard. Clear and detailed guidance is provided to enable carers to meet children’s best interests.

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

There is a lack of support around sexual health for children. The child who moved on recently was not provided with enough support in this area.

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

There have been minimal significant safeguarding matters or incidents since the home opened. On one occasion, a child made threats to harm themselves. The care team managed this well and increased support was appropriately provided for the child. Inspection report children's home: 2539305 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since the home was taken over by the organisation in April 2021. She has good oversight of her team and drives child-centred practice. She has high aspirations for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a strong advocate for children and seeks to ensure the support provided is in the best interests of children. For example, she recognises when children need to move on from the home into semi-independent living. She also took every opportunity to source the appropriate education provision for this child, which included working closely with several professionals to identify the right alternative package.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One parent spoken with commented on the positive impact that the carers have had on her child. She said that she now has a much better relationship with the child, and that they are fully engaged in education, which is a significant achievement for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates the ability to support carers to reflect on their practice well. A child-centred focus is also evident.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment is in line with safer recruitment practice. No concerns were identified. One complaint was made by a child. The outcome for the child regarding this matter is not clearly recorded.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Care planning is lengthy at times. This detracts from pertinent current information and does not always reflect the current situation for children well. Language used in recordings is institutional at times. Inspection report children's home: 2539305 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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager should ensure that there are written plans to reduce and remove the use of restrictive measures, such as door alarms and unnecessary internal door locks, in line with children’s changing needs. 17 February 2023

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Recommendations

 Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. This includes when they have made a complaint. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  Records written by staff represent a significant contribution to a child’s life history. Children and their parents should be supported to understand the nature of records kept by the home and how to access them. Therefore, any records kept by the home should be written in a child-friendly manner and be free from jargon. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)

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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: 2539305 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: South West Childcare Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Second Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 4AH

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Inspector

Polly Soper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2539305 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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