Children's home run by Semi-independent House Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2599659 1 Registered provider: Semi-Independent House Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The post of registered manager has been vacant since January 2022.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2599659 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2599659 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home and two children have moved on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are caring and they nurture the children. A social worker said, ‘[Name of child] only trusts adults from the home, because they do not let them down.’ One child said, ‘Staff are great, I get on with all of them.’ The children have good relationships with staff they trust.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children have education places and at the time of the inspection were due to sit GCSE exams. One child, who was struggling with attendance, contributed to drawing up their tailored timetable. Staff encourage revision and learning at home and are helping the children to prepare for their exams. One staff member said, ‘I just want the children to have a bright future.’ Staff understand barriers to children’s learning. Children are listened to and helped to manage school at a pace that is suitable for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a strong focus on supporting children’s relationships with their family and friends. Staff ensure that children stay in touch with family members. One child has regular overnight stays with friends to help develop their friendships. Children feel loved and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves in and out of the home have been planned whenever possible. Children are helped to settle into the home. One child moved out of the home in an unplanned way, however, this was to keep children safe. The move was managed with sensitivity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to take part in a variety of activities. One child is a member of a football club. Both children enjoy football and have gym memberships. Children have been on a holiday to the seaside. Children have opportunities to pursue hobbies and experience enriching activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have helped a child to explore and practise their religion. Staff understand the importance of helping children to feel comfortable with their identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming, spacious and well decorated. Children’s bedrooms are personalised. However, there are weeds on the pathways in front of the home. There are only a few photos of the children on display around the home, which does not make it as homely as it could be. Inspection report for children’s home: 2599659 4

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

Children feel safe at the home. The manager has ensured that staff have had appropriate safeguarding training. Staff understand and implement the safeguarding procedures. They confidently manage safeguarding incidents, which helps to keep the children safe.

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

Staff have physical intervention training. They use their positive relationships with the children and effective behaviour support plans, meaning there have been no physical interventions since the last inspection.

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

There have been no missing-from-home incidents. The manager and staff understand the importance of balanced risk-taking. They enable children to have appropriate free time in the community with their friends and family members. The children manage the boundaries around free time well. Children feel trusted and this reduces their need to go missing from the home.

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

There have been three allegations. The manager managed the allegations and safeguarding concerns promptly. Actions were taken to ensure that the children were safeguarded and that identified learning was taken forward.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager left in January 2022. The provider took action to recruit a new manager without delay, who applied to register with Ofsted. However, the application was returned several times due to missing information. The manager withdrew her application in December 2022. Following this, the provider appointed another permanent manager, who has been in post since December 2022. She has applied to register with Ofsted. There has been a delay in the registration process due to administration issues which have been out of the manager’s control. The new manager is due to enrol on a relevant level 5 diploma course. She has several years’ experience of working with children. The manager is supported by two deputy managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager said that she has regular supervision and good support from her managers. Staff spoke positively about the permanent manager. Staff said that the manager is approachable and supportive. She offers them good support and guidance. The manager has regular supervisions with staff. Staff feel motivated, have confidence in the manager and benefit from her experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff undertake a wide range of training, which includes therapeutic training. The staff either hold a relevant level 3 diploma or are working towards the qualification within agreed timescales. The provider supports staff to gain this necessary qualification, enrols them promptly on the course and assigns time for them to study during work hours. Staff are well trained and feel supported to achieve the level 3 qualification. Inspection report for children’s home: 2599659 5 Two social workers spoke highly of the manager and staff and were impressed with the care provided to children. One social worker said, ‘We are lucky to have this home. The staff are warm and excellent.’ The manager and staff have good relationships with other professionals, ensuring joined-up working and good outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and deputy manager advocate strongly for children. On one occasion, a significant event for one child was identified through life-story work. The managers’ tenacity ensured that a very personal and sensitive situation was managed compassionately. Consequently, the child has been able to have closure on an extremely traumatic event.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a small core team of staff and is currently using consistent agency staff regularly. The manager is in the process of employing two new members of staff. The agency staff attend staff meetings and training and have supervisions. Children benefit from consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s review of the quality of care for children has been submitted to Ofsted. However, the report does not indicate what progress has been made from previous required actions and the feedback from children is not obtained directly from them. The feedback from professionals has not been evaluated. Consequently, opportunities have been missed to assess and evaluate the quality of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager reviews the statement of purpose for the home, however, they have not submitted a copy to Ofsted. Inspection report for children’s home: 2599659 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure the statement of purpose is kept under review and a copy is sent to Ofsted following any updates. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming. In particular, display photos of children in the home and ensure that the pathways are weeded. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)  The registered person should undertake a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home that includes effective monitoring of actions set, direct feedback from children and evaluation of any feedback provided. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2)

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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: 2599659 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Semi-Independent House Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 51 Ploverly, Peterborough PE4 6HZ

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Rebecca Hannell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2599659 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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Inspector

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