Children's Home run by Within Reach Services Limited in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 1 Registered provider: Within Reach Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is managed by a private provider. The home provides care for one child with complex social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in June 2022, when this home was registered. The manager is also registered for another children’s home located nearby.

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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: 31 January 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 3

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outstanding

The child living in this home is making progress in most areas of their life. They know that they belong here and can recognise their own progress. They told the inspector they are happy living in this home and that they trust the adults who care for them. A family member told inspectors that they are very happy with the care the child is receiving and commented that they ‘have never met a staff team like this, they go above and beyond’.

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outstanding

The child has a gained a great deal from living in this home. They have grown in confidence and maturity. They told the inspector, ‘We don’t really have any rules other than to keep safe, try your hardest, talk to someone if you are worried and never give up.’

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outstanding

This child is subject to some restrictions to keep them safe. This is directed by the Court. Over the past seven months, the more severe restrictions and higher levels of staff supervision have been relaxed. In recognition of how well the child has responded to the structure and boundaries provided by the staff team. This progress has recently enabled the child to attend a music concert in London. The child said how much they enjoyed this outing. A social care professional reported how lovely it was that the child could now enjoy such trips. Only a year ago the level of concern for this child would have meant that such trips were not possible. Another professional said this home is one of the best that they have ever worked with.

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outstanding

The manager advocated successfully to secure a school place for the child, through persistent contact with the local authority. While waiting, the manager created a positive structure to the child’s day, promoting maths and English through projects and online learning, to replicate a school timetable. This term, after being out of school for over a year, the child started attending school and is very excited to be there and keen to achieve. The manager and staff team promote high aspirations. The child has started to think about a future career they might follow. They have begun identifying what subjects to study towards their chosen profession in healthcare.

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outstanding

Excellent progress has been made with the child’s physical and emotional well-being, to the extent that some health professionals are no longer needed to provide support. Prescribed medication has reduced, and the child is physically active, doing many activities. At their sports club, the child has won many medals and certificates that are proudly displayed in the home. The child is also well supported to spend time with family and friends. This includes some family members visiting the home.

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outstanding

Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 4 Since the last inspection, there has been a considerable reduction in behaviour that caused concern for the adults and posed a significant risk to the child. The reduction is largely a response to an innovative strategy put together by the manager. This has supported the child to make significant progress. They are now allowed to spend time alone without staff supervision and can access rooms in the home that were previously locked for their safety.

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outstanding

Restraint has only needed to be used twice since the last inspection, a significant reduction from the previous 53 incidents. The child has not been missing from the home, behaviour that historically placed them at risk of harm. Proactive and creative safeguarding practice has enabled the child to feel safe and valued and there have been no incidents which has led to them harming themselves.

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outstanding

A desire to seek medical attention through self-harm has diminished. A contributing factor is the creation of a ‘mini hospital’, enabling the child to explore medical procedures through creative play. The child has also completed first aid training and the certificate for this is proudly displayed, along with certificates in online safety, hand hygiene and fire safety.

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outstanding

In preparation for attending school, the child completed a workbook on anti- bullying. On completing this project, the child reflected on their previous behaviour and realised that they had previously bullied someone. With great maturity, the child wrote a letter of apology about their behaviour.

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outstanding

A network of professionals from health, education, police and social work meet with the manager to review the child’s care plan. These meetings are working extremely well to help the child progress. The child regularly attends such meetings and is fully involved in discussing risks and how they can be reduced. All professionals from this network are extremely proud of the progress the child has made and the great improvements to their life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high aspirations for the child and the staff. She leads by example and encourages staff and the child to meet their full potential. The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. Her passion and drive to obtain the best outcomes for children are highly regarded by the team and professionals. One member of staff said, ‘She is the best manager I have ever worked for. She has been nothing but supportive, encouraging and kind to all staff members and young people we support.’ Another said, ‘She is a brilliant manager, a leader, not a boss.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff are very positive about their work. There is a strong sense of belonging and pride. Staff members say they are valued and supported very well by the manager, the deputies and each other. The team recognises the progress made by the child and all talk proudly of these achievements. One member of staff said, ‘This home is like a family for all of us and it is honestly the strongest team I have ever had the privilege of working in.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 5 Leaders and managers are proactive and undertook some research into recruitment and retention. This was to address some previous poor retention of staff across the wider organisation. Leaders implemented a mentor scheme for new staff. The success of this initiative has significantly increased staff retention. The child has benefited from a stable staff team at this home, providing consistency of care, structure and boundaries.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Training for the team is current and up to date. As part of a deputy manager’s studies for a management qualification, they undertook research to identify additional training for the team in safeguarding practice and online safety. This ensures that the team keeps up to date with current practice to help and protect children. Another initiative to support staff in their professional development is the creation of a workbook designed to develop the skills of those staff members wanting to have the responsibility of a senior role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have met the two requirements from the last inspection. These were in respect of notifying Ofsted about serious events and strengthening the complaints process. There are no requirements as a result of this inspection.

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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: 2684355 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Within Reach Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hazlewoods, Windsor House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham GL50 3AT

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Inspector

Clare Davies, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2684355 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 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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