Children's home run by Hampshire County Council

Inspection report for children's home: 1257573 1 Registered provider: Hampshire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home is registered to provide care for up to five children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, there were four children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since June 2017.

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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: 20 September 2022

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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: 1257573 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/09/2022 Full Good 06/05/2021 Full Outstanding 28/01/2020 Full Outstanding 16/01/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1257573 3

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outstanding

Children make exceptional progress because they have trusting, secure relationships with staff. Children approach staff in the way that they might approach a parent or relative because they have confidence that staff will provide nurturing care. This gives the home a family feel, with children at the centre.

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outstanding

The environment is genuinely regarded as the children’s home. The children are empowered to have ownership, which gives them a sense of pride in their surroundings. Children’s bedrooms are personalised with items which reflect their interests and identity. Children’s photos are proudly displayed in communal areas.

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outstanding

When children move into the home, staff are encouraging and kind. Children with specific cultural or religious needs are supported to understand their identity. Processes for supporting children who are moving on from the home are thorough and thoughtful. Children are involved in all care planning decisions.

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outstanding

Staff know the children extremely well and treat children with a great deal of dignity and respect. Children appreciate the support that they receive, particularly during challenging times. They say that staff help them to learn how to manage their emotions and stay focused on the goals that are important to them. The result is a very relaxed atmosphere.

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outstanding

Staff enjoy spending time with children. Meaningful key-work sessions are carefully planned and sensitively delivered. They are solution-focused and reflective. They help to address the specific vulnerabilities which exist for each child. High-quality, child-focused records of these sessions provide children with an excellent description of their progress during their time in the home.

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outstanding

Children are encouraged to take part in activities which expand their talents and interests. Children speak with pride when they describe their achievements, for example, volunteering in roles that help other children and receiving a medal for completing an award. All success is celebrated.

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outstanding

Staff understand the importance of predictable structures and routines for children. All children attend education and are making good progress from their starting points. One child did not have an education placement when they arrived at the home, and managers have been proactive in securing one for them.

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outstanding

Children receive professional support to improve their physical and mental health. Managers advocate effectively for children to ensure that they are accessing the resources and support that they need. Inspection report for children's home: 1257573 4

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outstanding

Children’s safety and well-being are given high priority. Staff are attuned and responsive to each child’s needs and vulnerabilities.

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outstanding

There is a robust response from staff to ensure that children return safely when they go missing. One child said, ‘I know staff worry about me when I leave the house.’ This is why they remain in contact with staff.

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outstanding

As a result of the positive relationships between children and staff, open and honest conversations take place when children are struggling. This contributes to children’s protection and sense of security. Consequently, incidents when children harm themselves have reduced.

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outstanding

High-quality induction and training ensure that staff make sound decisions and address safeguarding concerns. Children are provided with clear written information about what to do if they are unhappy about any aspect of their care.

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outstanding

When children make allegations about staff, managers respond robustly to ensure the safety of children. External safeguarding agencies are consulted before thorough investigations are carried out. This results in timely, independent scrutiny of the plans which are put in place to safeguard children.

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outstanding

Effective monitoring of health and safety matters, including fire safety, ensures that the environment is safe and secure. All children and staff take part in regular fire drills to ensure that they know how to respond in the event of a fire.

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outstanding

Well-organised staff records demonstrate that recruitment practices include all necessary checks. This reduces the potential for unsuitable adults to be employed at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is passionate in her efforts to be a great role model for the children and staff. She is supported well by the senior leadership team. She has high expectations of the staff team and ensures that they provide high-quality care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager’s oversight and scrutiny of the home are extremely thorough. As a result, she has an exceptionally well-rounded view of the experiences of the children and the impact that the care is having on their outcomes. She is creative and persistent in her approach and ensures that when improvements need to be made, learning is shared with the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff receive good-quality, regular supervision. Staff value supervision as a time to focus on the work that they do. They explore the impact of their work on Inspection report for children's home: 1257573 5 children’s progress, safety and well-being, as well as reflecting on their professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive the training and guidance that they need to be able to support the children in their care. When staff identify gaps in their knowledge, bespoke training is provided to ensure that they are knowledgeable and well informed about all aspects of their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager works closely with other professionals. She robustly challenges when she believes that decisions are not being made in children’s best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There has been an improvement in the quality of the monthly reports from the independent person. These reports and the manager’s own quality of care review are effective and an essential part of the quality assurance processes.

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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: 1257573 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hampshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hampshire Council, 3rd Floor, Elizabeth II Court North, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UG

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Maria Calway-Kennedy

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Inspector

Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1257573 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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