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Inspection report for children’s home: SC480705 1 SC480705 Registered provider: Arc-HD Services Ltd Full inspection 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 with social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties. The accommodation is set in three individual living areas, with a shared communal space.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 15 February 2022

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC480705 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/02/2022 Full Outstanding 10/09/2019 Full Outstanding 16/04/2018 Full Outstanding 25/04/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC480705 3

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outstanding

An enthusiastic and committed staff team provides excellent levels of care and support to children. This enables children to make transformative progress in their lives. Children, who have experienced significant trauma, benefit from trusting, consistent relationships with the staff team. From this stable base, children are able to heal and move forward, achieving remarkable things in their education and personal and social development.

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outstanding

Staff benefit from the input of a skilled clinical lead. They receive expert advice and guidance on effective practice and strategies to support children. Staff also demonstrate an advanced insight into the impact of trauma on children’s self-image and behaviour. Staff are reflective and empathetic.

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outstanding

Staff work hard to build effective relationships of trust with families. One parent said, ‘[Name of child] has made so much progress, it is absolutely phenomenal. [The home] is a friendly, calm, encouraging environment, making her feel safe and supported and enabling her to make huge progress. It is just such a therapeutic approach from the whole staff team.’

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outstanding

All children make remarkable progress in all areas. One child is now making very healthy life choices. Her diet and health have improved, and she is more confident and sociable, entering national competitions in cheerleading. Another child, who previously struggled in education, is now on track to achieve good GCSE grades.

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outstanding

Staff have been able to support children to re-establish contact with families and develop stronger relationships as a result.

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outstanding

Staff recognise the importance of strong networks of support around children. They have established effective relationships with specialist education providers, mental health services and community groups, which all enhance children’s outcomes.

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outstanding

The children have all had significant interruptions to their education in the past. Staff have supported successful reintegration into school in all cases. An education professional commented, ‘Throughout my dealings with the home, I have been consistently struck by the level of care and support that the home offers its young people. Relationships are really positive, and clear boundaries are modelled gently and effectively. All of the young people are treated with dignity and respect and are given the space to make positive choices.’

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outstanding

Children feel valued and have frequent opportunities to contribute to decision- making at the home. This year, staff have been able to deliver on children’s requests for a home gymnasium and art room. Children are confident to talk to staff about Inspection report for children’s home: SC480705 4 anything on their minds. Staff are mindful to create space and time to allow these conversations to happen.

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outstanding

Staff have created a safe space for children, who have been highly vulnerable in the past. As a result, the frequency of safeguarding incidents is extremely low. Children do not go missing from home, staff do not use physical restraint and there is a positive culture of respect between children and staff.

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outstanding

The registered manager recognises that, with incidents being so rare, it is vital to keep safeguarding a live topic in the team. Therefore, staff engage in frequent training and regularly discuss safeguarding scenarios in team meetings and professional supervision. In doing so, the manager is able to identify any gaps in knowledge or practice issues and tailor staff training accordingly.

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outstanding

Staff have a detailed understanding of both internal safeguarding processes and wider networks of safeguarding support for children. A new member of the team said, ‘Safeguarding has been front and centre of my induction and training.’

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outstanding

Staff support children who have experienced complex mental health issues, including serious self-harm. Staff remain vigilant at all times and create effective safety plans to support children when they are at risk. Staff provide sensitive and highly effective support.

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outstanding

The registered manager has completed ambassador training with CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command). He has used this to create additional support and training for staff and children on the dangers of online activity. The manager supports his staff to develop expertise in keeping children safe online.

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outstanding

Children are clear about vulnerability to risk online and show a developed insight and knowledge of the risks of social media, online gaming and the internet. Staff make use of online training, resources and key-work sessions to ensure that children recognise dangers and take action to keep themselves safe.

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outstanding

Staff support children to have more free time in the community. Staff agree sensible and proportionate plans with children that promote their independence and support them to enjoy their free time in a safe way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager provides inspirational leadership to his team. Staff praise the quality of the support that they receive and describe the manager as knowledgeable and experienced. Staff talk about accessible senior staff being readily available to provide advice and information. The registered manager’s knowledge and understanding of the children he supports are outstanding. Inspection report for children’s home: SC480705 5 The registered manager promotes a collaborative approach and goes out of his way to accommodate staff and children’s input and ideas. As a result, they feel valued and that their views matter.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive high-quality support and training, enabling them to deliver the best possible outcomes for children. Leaders emphasise promoting staff well-being, recognising the emotional impact of their work. Staff have access to comprehensive opportunities for professional development and can access clinical support if they need additional input.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The responsible individual provides great support to the senior team at the home. She completes a monthly audit of documents and practice to ensure that practice is regularly scrutinised. While there are minimal actions resulting from most audits, the manager and staff are very responsive to recommendations and actions from any monitoring activity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals hold leaders at the home in high regard. One professional said, ‘I have been particularly impressed by the manager’s leadership and by the deputy manager who worked with me on [name of child’s] transition particularly. Both of them epitomise the high expectations and standards in the home, and the rest of the team take their tone from this. It is an absolute pleasure to work with the manager and his team.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Families praise the role the manager has played in supporting them and their children. One parent said, ‘[Name of manager] is an excellent manager. It is just an incredible place and an amazing team.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC480705 6

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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: SC480705 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Arc-HD Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Arc-HD Services, Wessex House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh SO50 9FD

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Katherine Openshaw

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Paul Collins-Painter

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Inspector

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC480705 8 regulates and inspects 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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