Children's Home run by Next Step Independence Ltd in Swindon

Inspection report children's home: 2638617 1 Registered provider: Next Step Independence Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home was registered in December 2021 to provide care for up to two children.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection two children lived in the home having moved here in January 2022 and May 2023. A third child lived in the home between February 2022 and April 2023.

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Information about this children's home

The home is led by a suitably qualified registered manager.

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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 children's home: 2638617 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children's home: 2638617 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Progress for children living at this home is mixed. One child’s needs were complex. Whilst living here they made little progress and spent most of time isolated in their bedroom.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers acknowledged this child’s needs could not be met at this home and a planned move took place. The move for this child was well coordinated with their new home. Staff included the child in plans for their care as far as possible, and overall, the experience of moving appears to have been positive for this child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The two children currently living in the home are making good progress and enjoy living here.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children attend school or college. When there are barriers to children attending and achieving their full potential, the team work closely with professionals to overcome these.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

For example, one child has previously struggled to consistently attend school and engage in lessons. The manager and therapeutic lead from the home have worked closely with the school to develop a support plan for them. Regular education planning meetings have taken place during which the home have advocated strongly for this child and represented their views.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This has resulted in a significant reduction in suspensions for this child and they are now more settled and engaged in their learning. Education professionals spoken to were extremely positive about how well the team support both children in their education and the creative and flexible support they provide.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are creative and flexible in supporting children to stay in touch with family, friends, and other important people. For example, some family members regularly visit the home to share meals and spend time with children which has been a positive experience for one child. The manager was clear about the need for this to be regularly reviewed to ensure that visits remain safe, positive and in line with children’s wishes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is generally warm and welcoming. However, the communal games room downstairs has a strong unpleasant smell and investigations are ongoing to identify the source of this issue.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can personalise their bedrooms and choose their own bedding and furniture. During the inspection one child was in the process of clearing their room and assembling new furniture causing the path to their ensuite bathroom to be obstructed. This issue was addressed during the inspection with staff supporting Inspection report children's home: 2638617 4 the child to ensure the bathroom was safe to access whilst they finished the work in their room.

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

Children feel safe living at this home. They establish strong and trusting relationships with staff and feel able to talk to them about any worries they have. These relationships contribute towards children making progress.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the needs and risks of the children, but some newer members of staff were not clear on their own individual responsibilities in relation to some safeguarding procedures. Whilst this has not yet had any impact on practice or the safety of children, the home manager advised she plans to reiterate this information to the team at the earliest opportunity.

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

When children go missing or leave the home without permission staff respond appropriately. Relevant safeguarding procedures are followed, and staff talk openly to children about concerns and how to keep themselves safe.

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

However, at times plans for the reduction of restrictions in place for children are not documented robustly. For example, door alarms are in place on one child’s bedroom door. Whilst this restriction is proportionate given the child’s current needs, records do not clearly show when this will be reviewed, and the steps being taken to reduce this restriction.

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

One medication error has taken place since the previous inspection. Prompt and appropriate action was taken once this was identified. This included medical advice being sought in relation to the child and additional medication checks and training being put in place for all staff.

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

A fire recently broke out at night in one of the children’s bedrooms due to an electrical fault. Staff followed fire procedures and were able to extinguish the fire and support children to evacuate the home. Appropriate and robust follow up action has been taken since including a review of electrical and health and safety arrangements at the home and staff being booked onto fire safety refresher training. Children were well supported by staff during and after this incident and ongoing discussions have taken place with them about fire safety and evacuation procedures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an enthusiastic and child focused manager and both staff and children value her support and leadership. The manager understands children's needs and advocates strongly for them, challenging other professionals when required to ensure children have the appropriate support in place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Practice is underpinned by good quality risk assessments and care plans and management oversight is evident across records. Inspection report children's home: 2638617 5 Children’s views are clearly documented, and these views are used to inform their care and support plans. Clear targets are identified with children’s input, and regular updates show the progress being made. However, plans do not always include specific actions or tasks needed to help children achieve their goals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the previous inspection managers have taken action to address identified shortfalls. For example, prior to one child moving in, a thorough and robust exploration of their needs took place to ensure they could be met at this home. This included visits to the child to gather their views and detailed consultation with home staff and professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Several new members of staff have joined the home in the last six months. A thorough induction process is in place and staff receive appropriate and up-to-date training specific to the needs of the children living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report feeling well supported and were positive about the visibility and approachability of the manager. Supervision takes place regularly; it is reflective and issues around staff practice are identified and addressed with clear actions identified and lessons learned documented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Communication with other professionals working with children is a strength of this home. Professionals spoken to were extremely positive about the quality of communication from the manager, her advocacy for children and the care children receive at this home. Inspection report children's home: 2638617 6

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Statutory requirements

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

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that any issues with the homes buildings or drainage is addressed to enable children to freely access and enjoy all areas of the home. 14 February 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the reasoning for any restrictive practices or monitoring of children is clearly documented in their care and support plans along with consent from relevant parties and clear timescales for review ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 16, paragraph 3.16).

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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 Inspection report children's home: 2638617 7 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 children's home: 2638617 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Next Step Independence Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Wellington House, East Reach Court, Queen Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3UF

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Bridget Drew-Spyer

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Inspector

Janet Jauregui, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2638617 9 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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