Children's Home run by Next Step Independence Ltd in Swindon

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2638617 1 Registered provider: Next Step Independence Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered in December 2021 to provide care for up to two children with social and emotional needs. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a suitably qualified registered manager.

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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.

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Information about this inspection

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: 2638617 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

Leaders, managers and staff understand the challenges a child living in the home faces, including difficulties around continuing to isolate in their bedroom, where they are not accessing education or health services. Staff remain aspirational for and empathetic towards this child. Positive and trusting relationships are beginning to develop between the child and staff and some progress has been made. For example, with encouragement from staff, the child will now leave their bedroom to collect meals from the kitchen. There has also been improvement in this child’s self- care and their cleaning of their bedroom.

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The care of children

However, managers and the placing authority have now acknowledged that the home is not able to meet this child’s needs. A move to another home with a more bespoke package of care has been agreed for the near future. The placing authority has now agreed that a specialist assessment is required. Therefore, at present, staff do not have a thorough understanding of this child’s needs or risks.

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The care of children

Another child enjoys living here and told inspectors that it ‘feels like home’. The inspector observed warm and respectful interactions between the child and staff team.

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The care of children

Staff have a good understanding of this child’s needs and risks and provide him with effective and nurturing care. As a result, this child is making excellent progress. For example, he is attending college and is now able to use a mobile phone, after staff worked with him to reduce previous concerns about online safety.

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The care of children

This child also attends several clubs and activities in the community, including Scouts and going sailing. Staff and managers take pride in this child’s progress and achievements and are aspirational for his future.

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The safety of children

One child told inspectors that they feel safe at this home and that they can speak to the staff about any worries they have.

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The safety of children

Staff ensure that there are appropriate checks and parental controls in place to help children to stay safe online.

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The safety of children

Restraint is rare in this home, with one incident recorded since the last inspection. Restraint was used appropriately in this instance to prevent physical harm. This incident took place following a child having a difficult visit with a professional. Before Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2638617 3 the visit, it was identified that the child was likely to be upset by the conversation and additional support for them was considered in advance. Following the incident, reflection took place and lessons learned were recorded.

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The safety of children

There have been no incidents of children going missing or allegations made against staff.

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The safety of children

When safeguarding incidents take place, staff have the appropriate knowledge and training to manage these effectively. For example, staff were able to identify signs of potential exploitation of one child and demonstrated professional curiosity in exploring this with the child.

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The safety of children

Staff work with external professionals to address concerns and regular communication and sharing of information takes place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager is child-focused and has good oversight of the home. Records are up to date and of good quality, with children’s views included throughout.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have a good understanding of children’s needs and risks as far as possible, without one child having been formally assessed. Managers use appropriate and strong professional challenge to placing authorities when required. For example, managers escalated concerns for one of the children. As a result, the home now has weekly meetings with the professionals involved in this child’s care and a plan for further support and assessment has been agreed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are positive about the support and visibility of both the registered manager and responsible individual. Supervision takes place regularly and is reflective and of good quality.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive appropriate and up-to-date training tailored to the needs of the children in the home. Team meetings are held regularly and are used to strengthen practice, through reflective discussions and the sharing of evidence-based practice.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2638617 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)(vii)(viii)) 28 April 2023

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 28 April 2023 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2638617 5 that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

develop the child’s interests and hobbies;

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Requirement Due date

participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preferences; and

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Requirement Due date

make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community;

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Requirement Due date

and that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child’s interests and hobbies. (Regulation 9 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)) 28 April 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home works with placing authorities to plan each child’s transition from the home and that the child is helped to prepare for a move. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 57, paragraph 11.9) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2638617 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Next Step Independence Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Wellington House, East Reach Court, Queen Street, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3UF

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Bridget Drew-Spyer

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Inspector

Janet Jauregui, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2638617 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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