Children's Home run by Within Reach Services Limited in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 1 Registered provider: Within Reach Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is managed by a private provider. The home provides care for one child with complex social and emotional needs. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2022, when this home was also registered.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector was aware during this inspection that a serious incident that is alleged to have occurred at the setting is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the provider in response to the alleged incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector’s judgements.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 2

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first inspection of the home. One child left this home after living here for three months. The manager formed a positive relationship that enabled the child to disclose some serous safeguarding concerns that had occurred prior to them living at this home. This child left in a planned way with the support of care staff to help settle them into their next home. A planned, supportive move is something this child had not experienced before.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, the child had lived at this home for three months. Prior to living here, the senior managers ensured that a full care team was appointed, bespoke training delivered, and that the environment was suitably adapted to meet the specific needs of the child. Introductory visits and choosing personal items for the home enabled the child to feel involved in the move to their new bespoke home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has settled well after having previously moved 16 times in as many months. The child, family members and numerous professionals all report very positively about this home. Time with family members has increased to include outings with the people who are important to the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

As directed by a court, this child is subject to severe restrictions, due to the high level of risk presented. Consultation and working in partnership with a network of professionals contribute to effective care planning and risk management. The child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) are very involved in supporting the child with regular visits. CAMHS staff report that they are impressed with the level of care and compassion provided to the child. The manager and staff team benefit from advice and guidance from the CAMHS staff, enabling them to respond to and manage the complex needs and behaviours of the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Progress has been made with the child’s physical health and emotional well-being. After an absence, the child is now engaging in education and enjoys participating in the community, including membership of a gymnastics club. Routine health appointments ensure that the child receives dental and optical care. A selection of nutritious foods is available in snack boxes to promote healthy food choices.

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

Risks are well understood and managed in the home. The restrictions on the child’s liberty are regularly reviewed, with a commitment to working towards reducing such high level of staff supervision. The safety of the child is paramount and any changes to the care plan are discussed and approved by the network of professionals. The child is encouraged to be part of these discussions to ensure that their wishes and feelings are included. Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 4 Restraint is used frequently at times. These interventions are proportionate and for the least amount of time required to ensure that the child’s risk of harm to themselves, or others, is removed. A senior staff member is trained to deliver staff training in de-escalation and restraint. In addition, this person is trained to analyse records of restraint, apply scrutiny and identify any patterns or trends. Such analysis is then applied to reduce the use of restraint where possible.

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

Incidents when managing the child’s behaviour have led to allegations being made against members of staff. Leaders and managers have followed the safeguarding procedures and reported appropriately such allegations to the local authority and to the network of professionals. At the time of the inspection, one incident met the threshold for an ongoing investigation.

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

There have not been any incidents of this child going missing from the home. This is progress and an indicator of the child feeling safe, as this behaviour did occur in the past. The previous child did go missing from home on three occasions. The correct procedures were followed, and staff members made every effort to try and locate the child to ensure their safe return.

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

Records confirm that incidents of unsettled behaviour are managed well. Ofsted has been notified on several occasions, however, one incident was identified on inspection that had not been reported to the regulator. This involved a serious incident away from the home when the police assisted on a motorway.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and committed to providing good- quality care and leading an effective staff team. Staff members report that they enjoy their work, they are trained, supported and receive formal supervision. The current team completed all mandatory training in preparation for the child moving into this home in October 2022, and further training has been provided by CAMHS and a behaviour specialist.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The responsible individual and registered manager work effectively together and have high expectations for the child and the staff team. In response to an inspection of another home operated by the provider, significant changes have been made to the recording and reporting in the home. This provider is determined to get things right and is very reflective in its desire to assist in the development of the organisation. A review of staff retention led to the appointment of mentors for new staff. The success of this initiative has significantly increased staff retention.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The quality of recording and reporting is recognised and praised by the network of professionals, some of whom receive daily updates. There are comprehensive summary reports and analysis when things have not gone as well as expected, to identify learning and where to make changes. One area to improve on is to change some of the clinical language used in records, such as dysregulated and baseline. For children moving into and out of the home, this is referred to as a transition. The Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 5 frequent use of this language is not helpful to the child should they wish to access their records now or in the future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers respond promptly and thoroughly to any complaint. Neighbours have complained about the impact of additional people and cars in their community and, at times, the level of noise. The responsible individual has addressed each complaint and responded appropriately. Records fail to explicitly show the outcome of the complaint and the level of satisfaction by the complainant.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that all records and practices are monitored with the support of two deputies. With most of the staff reporting positively about their employment, one member of the team reported that communication could be improved at times. The manager acknowledges that attendance at team meetings has been low, and she needs to address this with the team. Staff are to be reminded of their responsibility to attend team meetings regularly to ensure that communication is improved at this level. Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 6

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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

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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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)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 1 February 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 1 February2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home’s care. Everyone in the home must understand their roles and responsibilities and what they are authorised to decide on their own initiative. In particular, ensure that staff members regularly attend team meetings to enhance communication. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20) Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 7  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2684355 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Within Reach Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hazlewoods, Windsor House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham GL50 3AT

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Inspector

Clare Davies, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 9 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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