Children's Home run by Direct Care Children’s Homes Ltd in Wiltshire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2655041 1 Registered provider: Direct Care Children’s Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to three children. There are three children currently living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2655041 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children receive support from a staff team who know them well. Two children say they like living in the home. One child feels that they are ready to think about moving on. They receive support from staff to speak with their social worker about this.

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The care of children

Children’s education attendance has improved since the last inspection. All children attend education, and there are plans in place to increase attendance where this is not currently full time. Through attending education, children benefit from time out of the home and have the opportunity to reach their potential.

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The care of children

Staff help children to focus on healthy lifestyles, including being active and eating healthily. Some children struggle with making healthy choices, meaning some food is locked away. This means children cannot access certain snacks without asking staff. There are plans in place to reduce this restrictive practice.

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The safety of children

Children say they feel safe living in the home. Staff have conversations with children to improve their safety, including about online safety and their well-being when out of the home. Staff manage relationships between the children well. However, the risks relating to children’s interactions with each other are not formally reviewed by the manager. As such, staff respond to issues on an ad-hoc basis, rather than following a clear risk management plan.

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The safety of children

Staff understand and identify safeguarding concerns in the home. One child has been supported to significantly reduce the number of times they go missing from the home. Staff use children’s plans to help them understand children’s behaviour and to help them calm down during incidents. As a result, there has been no use of restraint.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the previous inspection, a new manager has been appointed. Staff feel supported by managers and identify positive changes that have taken place. Staff attend monthly team meetings and receive regular supervision. These sessions are clearly planned to meet the development needs of staff. A consistent staff team provides stable care to children. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2655041 3 A new records management system is embedded into the home’s processes. New processes ensure documents are up to date and contain relevant information. The manager has implemented systems to review the quality of recording and care in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers did not submit a review of the quality of care to Ofsted within the time stated under the regulations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

All requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection have been met. One new requirement and one new recommendation are made as a result of this inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2655041 4

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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 complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a)) 28 July 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure they review the relationships and dynamics between children to best understand how to promote positive interactions and ensure safety. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.23) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2655041 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Direct Care Children’s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 4, Paxton Business Centre, Whittle Road, Salisbury SP2 7YR

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Inspector

Clare Nixson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2655041 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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