Children's home run by Island Choices Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 1241939 1 Registered provider: Island Choices Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of two homes operated by a private company, commissioned by the local authority for the home’s location. It is registered to provide care for up to three children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2021.

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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: 1241939 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/03/2023 Full Good 24/03/2022 Full Good 11/12/2019 Full Good 22/01/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1241939 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy long periods of time living at the home. One child has recently moved into the home and settled in well. The children benefit from established and nurturing relationships with a stable staff team. These relationships help children feel supported and make progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care plans are clear and detailed. Staff keep the plans up to date and highlight the progress children have made. The manager monitors long-term progress for the children to help them understand how far they have come. Plans have clear targets linked to children’s views.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children talk openly about their feelings and wishes with staff. They feel listened to and are involved in decisions in the home. Children value their own space in their personalised rooms. Staff encourage the children’s individual interests and help them to express themselves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote education. The children have good educational attendance and are doing well. Staff support the children to think about their futures and make plans for their careers. Staff and managers are good advocates to ensure that children’s educational needs are met now and in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to stay healthy. Staff regularly speak with the children about their health and well-being. Staff ensure that children take care of their teeth and attend dentist appointments. Staff help children to review their medication with health professionals, and they provide them with information to help them make informed decisions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are developing independence skills for adulthood. Staff encourage children to complete structured independence programmes. Staff supplement these programmes with informal conversations and encouragement to promote the children’s independent life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children often spend quality time with their friends and family, and they have friends over to the home with support and encouragement from staff.

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

Incidents of children being missing from home have reduced significantly. Staff know how to respond to children when they are missing from home; they are knowledgeable about where children go, and they talk to them about the risks they may face when away from the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1241939 4 Children are developing an understanding of healthy relationships. Staff use resources, training and conversations to help children understand relationships and to promote positive relationships with friends and family.

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

Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Staff are well trained in safeguarding. Safeguarding is a pivotal part of staff supervision, training and team meetings. Staff are aware of all the current risks for the children and know how to raise concerns.

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

Staff use a positive approach to helping children understand rules. Staff understand children’s emotions and the help they need when they are upset. Staff use incentives for children rather than consequences. There is a strong focus on positive support and de-escalation for children, and physical interventions have not been necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. Children, staff and professionals have high regard the manager. She has excellent relationships with the children and is involved in their lives. She has a strong presence in the home, with a positive energy that radiates across the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is acutely aware of the progress the children make and has high aspirations for them. She promotes a nurturing and caring approach with the children. Staff practice reflects this and they provide effective and consistent care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has well-developed systems for monitoring the quality of care. The systems involve regularly gathering the views of the children, staff and professionals. The manager bases development plans on the feedback received. The manager is keen to learn from feedback and continually improve the care provided to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager supports the staff effectively. Her coaching and nurturing approach help staff to develop their skills. Staff receive regular supervision and feedback on their performance. The manager is committed to the development of the staff and their own knowledge and skills. Staff have regular training to help them carry out their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff all report that they enjoy their roles and teamwork is strong. No staff have left since the last inspection, and this has created a stable environment for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works highly effectively with external professionals. Professionals are positive about the manager and her effective communication. The close working relationships with professionals ensure that children receive a high level of good- quality care. Inspection report for children’s home: 1241939 5 Although the manager notifies relevant agencies when there is a safeguarding concern, there have been two missed opportunities to notify Ofsted of serious incidents. However, this has had no impact on the children’s well-being or safety. Inspection report for children’s home: 1241939 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that Ofsted are notified if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home that the registered person considers to be serious. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63 paragraph 14.10)

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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: 1241939 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 67 Argyll Street, Ryde PO33 3BY

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: William Stanbridge

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Inspector

Mark Dawkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1241939 8 regulates and inspects 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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