Children's Home run by Fair Ways in Hampshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC066481 1 SC066481 Registered provider: Fair Ways Community Benefit Society Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to five children. The home uses a therapeutic model to care for children who have experienced abuse, rejection, breakdown of previous placement or exclusion from mainstream school. It is operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of a charity, which has its own education setting nearby.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Four children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 29 September 2022.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 12 October 2022

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC066481 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/10/2022 Full Good 17/11/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC066481 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children have made progress since living in the home. For example, all children are attending education and have built friendships, attended birthday parties and enjoyed activities such as swimming lessons and horse riding. All children are currently enjoying a summer holiday together, supported by a nurturing staff team. As a result, they have increased social skills and built confidence in changing environments.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has made significant progress from their starting point and is moving on to the next chapter of their lives with a foster family. They told inspectors that they are, ‘Looking forward to having a new family.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Committed staff encourage and support children to be part of their care planning. Children participate in important meetings related to their care and have plentiful opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings. This means that children’s individual needs are effectively and sensitively met.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When new information is known that requires a change in children’s care planning arrangements, this is done promptly. As a result, children feel heard and there is no drift or delay in children receiving the care that they need.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, the home and garden were undergoing some redecoration. The general presentation of the home fell short of the expected standards for a homely environment. However, a deep clean was underway while all the children enjoyed their activity holiday. Newly decorated areas looked clean and fresh.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children access education and make progress. When children are having difficulties in attending school, this is addressed through effective communication and relationships with all relevant professionals. The registered manager and staff are creative in the way that they support children to engage in education, for example through home tutoring and therapeutic equine care. As a result, one child who was not previously attending full-time education commences a new school at the start of the next academic year.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children have moved into the home since the last inspection. There is good planning for children moving into the home. Children have opportunities to meet staff and visit before moving in. This helps them to feel settled and welcomed. There have been two unplanned endings for children since the last inspection. On occasion, when matching of children has not been successful, leaders and managers reflect and learn from those experiences. Lessons learned are reflected in positive, child focused improvements to the process. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066481 4 Nurturing staff promote and facilitate children having time with their family, including arranging and supporting children with travel. Staff provide children with emotional support before and after spending time with their family. This ensures that their wishes and feelings are heard and acted on.

p.3

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

Children’s physical, emotional and psychological needs are met by a staff team that works closely with other qualified practitioners. Staff view children’s behaviour as a way to communicate emotions that they find difficult. Children are encouraged to reflect on incidents and supported to find alternative ways to manage their emotions.

p.4

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

Staff are trained in the appropriate use of restraint. On the rare occasions that a child needs to be held, this is only used if absolutely necessary and for the shortest time. Management oversight of incidents is timely and effective and includes discussions with staff and children. Reparative sessions between children enable relationships to rebuild quickly.

p.4

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

Strong relationships with external professionals support leaders and managers to follow procedures to keep children safe. When incidents happen, staff contact relevant agencies, in line with safeguarding procedures. Staff are very knowledgeable of each child’s individual risks and the measures to reduce these.

p.4

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

Children’s sense of security and belonging, and engagement in activities, mean that incidents of children going missing are very rare. Staff know the children well and follow clear missing from care plans when children leave the home without permission. This means that children have a quick and safe return home. Children say that they feel safe and that they can talk to staff about any issues or worries.

p.4

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

Outdoor activities are encouraged. Children do not have an over-reliance on technology and social media. Children are supported through one-to-one sessions and house meetings about how to keep themselves safe, including how to keep safe online. The home has additional measures in place to ensure age-appropriate access to the internet.

p.4

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

Leaders and managers ensure that all adults who come to work at the home have had the necessary checks. This means that children are supported by suitably trained and experienced staff.

p.4

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

Children are listened to and know how to make a complaint. Complaints are taken seriously and are well recorded. Staff actively refresh the process to ensure that children remember who to contact and where to find the relevant details.

p.4

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

The health and safety lead has good systems and audits in place. These are overseen by managers. This helps to reduce risks and keep children safe in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066481 5

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The judgement for the leadership and management of this home is outstanding because the registered manager is highly visible and involved in the day-to-day care of children. They understand the lived experiences of the children and work alongside staff to model best practice. They are able to do this while maintaining a clear strategic oversight of the service. The registered manager continually looks for ways to improve practice and always keeps the needs of children at the heart of decision-making.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by a committed and dedicated registered manager. They are supported by an equally committed and knowledgeable deputy. They are passionate about providing positive experiences and outcomes for children. The registered manager knows the strengths and areas for development in the home and continuously reflects on practice to improve standards.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Effective systems and processes provide the registered manager with clear oversight on all aspects of the home, including the progress and experiences of children. Feedback from children, families, staff and professionals contribute to future planning and development.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have been proactive in recruiting to vacancies, to ensure that children’s needs are met. New staff receive a thorough induction. The registered manager is actively involved in the care planning for children and is providing mentoring for newly appointed staff members. This is part of their development and enables the registered manager to continually improve practice.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular and well-documented supervision. This promotes staff’s reflection and areas for development. Staff say that the leadership team is supportive. Although the team is relatively new, team members work well together, bringing skills and experience that benefit children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager completes their own quality of care review. This is informative, drives improvement and allows the regulator to have a thorough understanding of the care that children receive. The independent visitor offers an additional layer of scrutiny. Actions are followed up and acted on swiftly by the registered manager.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Senior leaders are visible in the home. Managers say that they are supportive and enable them to develop the home. The responsible individual knows the home and children extremely well. Regular meetings and reporting by the registered manager enable full and effective oversight by senior leaders. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066481 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The 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.

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming. Specifically, this relates to the upkeep of cleaning and maintenance tasks in the home and garden. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

p.6

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: SC066481 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Fair Ways Community Benefit Society

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Building 1000, Western Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3EN

p.7

Inspectors

Tony Waite, Social Care Inspector Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC066481 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.

p.7

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8