Children's home run by South West Childcare Services

Inspection report for children’s home: 2567039 1 Registered provider: South West Childcare Services Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider and offers care for up to three children. Care is provided for children who experience social, emotional and/or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a suitably qualified manager who registered with Ofsted on 1 September 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 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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2567039 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/03/2023 Full Good 28/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2567039 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are skilled at quickly building trusting relationships with the children they support. This helps children to settle into their home promptly and develop a sense of belonging. Staff spend time listening to children, understanding their needs and wishes, and use this to form the basis of the care and support they give to each child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children attend school full time and are enjoying learning and making good progress. One child is not currently attending their educational provision. Staff support the child to take part in informal educational activity throughout the day. The manager advocates for the child and is liaising with the local authority and school effectively to ensure that the child is supported to return to full-time education in the near future. A placing social worker praised the work the manager has done to advocate for the child, describing it as tremendous.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support all children to access a range of recreational activities in the local community that reflect their individual interests and hobbies. Children have chosen to join a range of different clubs, including a choir, dancing, basketball and football. Through the children’s participation in these activities, they have been enabled to develop new friendships and have their social needs met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child recently requested to move into the home and was supported to do so in a short space of time. Staff welcomed them into their new home and sensitively made sure they did all they could to allay any anxieties that the child had and ensure that the move was successful. The child’s nurse commented about the child’s progress and put it down to the kind approach from staff. One child recently left the home to go into more independent living; staff supported a positive ending for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to have meaningful time with their families. Each child has been enabled to express how often, when and where they wish to see their families. Staff understand the importance of this for each child and work positively with their families to make sure this happens, and continuity is maintained. A family member stated that staff provided absolutely excellent support to them and the child.

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

Managers embed a positive safeguarding culture in the home. There have been no safeguarding concerns, no children have gone missing, and restraint has not been used since the previous inspection.

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

Staff set clear boundaries to help keep children safe. Staff know the children well; they recognise when a child needs their assistance When incidents happen, staff take effective action and support children to manage their own behaviour safely. Inspection report for children’s home: 2567039 4 Good analysis following incidents helps staff to reflect and develop a better understanding of the child, which informs future practice.

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

Staff are able to have sensitive conversations with children and listen to any concerns they may have. Staff respond proactively to address children’s worries and alleviate any fears, ensuring that positive outcomes are experienced by children.

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

Staff support children to take age-appropriate risks and learn new social and independent living skills. All children are making progress in these areas and are learning to form positive relationships with peers, improving their communication and being more independent. This is having a positive impact on their mental and emotional well-being.

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

Staff understand each child’s risks. Individual risk assessments are regularly reviewed and reflect children’s vulnerabilities. Clearly written guidance supports staff to know exactly what action to take to minimise the risk to children and protect them from harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed effectively and efficiently by a compassionate manager. Children are at the heart of every decision made and are included in all aspects of the home’s development. The home is staffed by a stable and competent team whose members work well together. Staff receive regular and effective supervision that focuses on the child’s progression and experiences as well as their own well- being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works proactively with external agencies and has developed positive and effective relationships with external professionals. The manager and staff are strong advocates for children, which helps ensure that positive outcomes are achieved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The children’s voice is documented throughout records. Staff work together to provide stability for children, recognising how fundamental this is for them to be able to succeed. Records positively reflect children’s achievements. The progress each child is making shows the positive impact living at the home is having for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are supported to develop and receive bespoke training to meet the specific needs of the children in their care. The manager sought help from a community child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) worker and their own in-house therapies team to work alongside staff and teach them the skills they require to meet the complex needs of a child effectively. A behaviour support practitioner from CAMHS commented that staff are very open, honest and willing to engage in all support offered and that staff have the child’s best interests at heart. Inspection report for children’s home: 2567039 5 Recruitment processes are comprehensive and thorough. Staff are suitably vetted to ensure that it is appropriate for them to be employed at the home.

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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: 2567039 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: South West Childcare Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Second Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 4AH

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Inspector

Gary Turney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2567039 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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