Children's home run by Plus One South West Ltd in Somerset

Inspection report for children’s home: SC477040 1 SC477040 Registered provider: Plus One South West 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 private company which is based in the South West of England. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children who may have social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this visit, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home was registered by Ofsted in January 2020.

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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: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC477040 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 30/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/10/2019 Full Good 14/11/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC477040 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children who live in the home have made considerable progress. One child has obtained good grades in their exams, has passed their driving test, and has received a conditional offer from their chosen university. The other child has had their Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard order lifted, passed four GCSEs and is attending college. Both children as a result are achieving positive outcomes in many areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child will soon reach adulthood. Staff have supported this child to learn important skills needed to be able to live independently. The child is flourishing and enjoys spending long periods of time in the community with friends, staying nights with family and driving themselves to college. Staff maintain the child’s autonomy, while regularly keeping in touch with them to ensure they are kept safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are helping the other child to develop their independent living skills. Good progress is being made in this area. For example, the child recently, without assistance, cooked a three-course meal for their girlfriend to mark a special occasion.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are cared for by staff who are nurturing in their approach. Staff understand both children’s needs and trusting relationships have been formed. Staff are flexible in their approach and are skilled in responding to each child’s specific needs. During this inspection, interactions between one child and staff demonstrated fun, supportive and warm relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of children having meaningful time with their relatives. Staff work proactively with family members to ensure that both children spend valuable time with their families. One parent told the inspector that their child was progressing well, attending college and seeing friends, and that they have no complaints.

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

Staff are aware of the importance of taking a positive risk approach and enabling children to take age-appropriate risks. Staff advocated for one child to safely increase the amount of time they were able to socialise independently. Both children spend quality time with their friends in the community without any unnecessary restrictions. This has helped both children to develop their self-identity and form good relationships with peers.

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

Children are kept safe by staff who understand the support they need. When incidents occur in the home, staff respond promptly and effectively to help the children manage their behaviour safely. Incident records are detailed and provide key information that enables staff to understand the children better and identify Inspection report for children’s home: SC477040 4 previously unknown triggers. Incidents are reviewed by the manager and lessons learned inform staff’s future practice. Restrictive practice to manage the children’s behaviour has not been used since the last inspection.

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

Staff promptly follow a clear plan when children go missing to reduce the risk of harm to children. Staff understand the risk to each child and proactively support each child to return safely. Learning from these incidents has taken place. For example, staff identified that, to positively reflect the progress one child has made with being out independently in the community, they should increase the amount of time the child is allowed out before they are considered missing.

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

Staff understand the risks associated with using the internet, and the risks these may pose to children. There are clear strategies in place to help keep children safe, which are adhered to by staff daily. The additional support from an in-house psychotherapist, working alongside staff, helps children to understand the importance of keeping themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed effectively and efficiently by a suitably qualified and experienced manager. The children are at the heart of every decision made and are included in all aspects of the home’s development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

For various reasons, some staff members have left the home since the previous inspection. New staff have been recruited to the home. The leaders and managers have recruited staff that reflect the specific needs of the children living in the home. The manager has a strong vision for the home and ensures that new staff share their high expectations for the children, maintaining the ethos and culture of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works proactively with professionals to help ensure children experience positive outcomes. For example, the manager is working jointly with a child’s social worker to deliver bespoke training to the child to positively aid their development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are provided with training in line with the child’s needs. They receive regular, formal supervision and support from external professionals. Staff are given scenarios of different types of incidents they may face when working with children. These scenarios are discussed at length during supervision. The reflective practice that staff experience as a result enhances their professional development and drives the delivery of high-quality care for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC477040 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 for children’s home: SC477040 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Plus One South West Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Mount, 21 High Street, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8QT

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Inspector

Gary Turney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC477040 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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