Children's home run by New Forest Care Limited in Southampton

Inspection report for children’s home: SC485529 1 SC485529 Registered provider: New Forest Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who experience complex emotional, social and educational difficulties. All children have access to the organisation’s therapeutic services.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2023.

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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 outstanding

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC485529 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/03/2022 Full Good 17/02/2020 Full Good 21/03/2019 Full Good 21/03/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC485529 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved out and two have moved into the home. Staff provide exceptional support for children moving in. Children benefit from visiting for meals and overnight stays beforehand. One child moved from another home in the organisation and was accompanied by a team of staff who they have built positive relationships with. This reduces the anxiety of moving for children who rely on routine-based care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a bright and well-kept home that is colourful, child friendly and welcoming. Flowerpots either side of the front door and welcome signs brighten the entrance. Photos of the children adorn the walls. Children’s bedrooms are highly personalised. Children bring their belongings and choose their paint colour schemes, which gives them a sense of permanence and security.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children benefit from excellent relationships with staff. When there are staff shortages, the existing team provides cover so that children are cared for by staff who they know.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have extremely good daily routines. Their school attendance is excellent, and they benefit from the structure and routine that this provides. The children arrive at school ready to learn and well presented. Children’s potential is recognised, and they are encouraged to think about their futures. Children are keen to learn and consider their future careers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children start to build their independence skills, such as walking to local shops and walking to school each day. This is supported well by the staff. Children practise shopping, planning meals and cooking. One child has guinea pigs, and another enjoys growing vegetables. This helps the children to learn about responsibility.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a balanced and healthy diet. This includes fruit smoothies, fresh fruit and vegetables. This has increased children’s confidence in trying new foods.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s care plans include a lot of detail, except some recent incidents which relate to children’s behaviours. These behaviours are managed safely and effectively within a multi-disciplinary team that includes therapy and school staff. Despite this, the records require regular updates.

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

Children are significantly safer living at the home. They benefit from high levels of staff support, which is reduced over time to encourage children’s emerging independence. This helps children to start taking responsibility for their personal safety. Inspection report for children’s home: SC485529 4 Staff are confident to challenge children when needed. Staff are fair and kind. Children are given positive behaviour reminders, and staff use distraction techniques to help reduce unwanted behaviours. Occasionally, staff use physical intervention techniques. These are scrutinised by the manager for fairness and proportionality.

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

Children live alongside one another peacefully. They show acceptance and an understanding of their differences. Children have minor disagreements, which staff help them to resolve. Children are learning tolerance and empathy. There are no issues around bullying.

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

Staff recruitment systems have improved. Staff files demonstrate that new staff are checked carefully and are suitable to work with children.

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

Each child has a safety plan that informs their risk assessment. However, these are not always updated following new behaviours or incidents, despite this being an action agreed by the manager. Although the staff take safe and effective action when children are in danger, written guidance is not comprehensive.

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

The action plan following a fire risk assessment has one outstanding action. This is three months out of the time frame. During the inspection, the manager took action to resolve this.

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

The staff understand how to report safeguarding concerns. The manager investigates allegations and takes action to safeguard children and upskill staff. This informs staff and protects children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A new manager has recently registered. She has a wide range of experience having worked in most roles in residential childcare and is qualified to level 5.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is enthusiastic and energised. She wants the absolute best for the children and strives to achieve this. A deputy manager and hard-working staff team support the manager. The wider organisation provides structure and support to the manager and staff. This is enriched by a team of in-house health professionals, therapists and teachers. This skilled team provides exceptional support that helps children to achieve and succeed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The children make significant strides in every area of their growth and development. Their lives are enhanced and enriched since moving to the home. Careful, considered matching and trained staff have resulted in children who flourish.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The independent person provides detailed reports that include quality time with children and feedback from professionals. The manager reviews records and events and returns these to the staff when further information is required. Inspection report for children’s home: SC485529 5 Leaders and the manager have overseen significant improvements since the last inspection. These are evident in a well-cared for home that fully reflects the children and their interests. Staff expertise is embraced and used to enhance children’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from parents, social workers and foster carers is exceptionally positive. They all say how much progress children have made and how beneficial the care is to children. Parents and carers are fully involved in children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has developed a culture in which staff’s skills and commitment are commendable and contribute to the success that each child achieves. Inspection report for children’s home: SC485529 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

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employment), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the actions from the fire risk assessments are carried out within the specified time frame.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 March 2023

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Recommendation

 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. In particular, update children’s safety plans and care plans following any incidents or concerns. (‘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: SC485529 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Forest Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: West Shore House, West Street, Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 6AA

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC485529 8 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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