Children's Home run by John-Edwards Care Homes Limited in Swindon

Inspection report for children’s home: SC437171 1 SC437171 Registered provider: John-Edwards Care Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to five children who may have learning and physical disabilities. The home offers long-term care for some children and a short-break service for others. At the time of this visit, three children were living in the home and two children were receiving short breaks.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2022.

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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

Date of last inspection: 18 January 2023

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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 for children’s home: SC437171 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/10/2022 Full Inadequate 20/04/2021 Full Good 12/11/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC437171 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are happy, kept safe and making progress at this home. For some children, their communication skills have improved, which has led to them being able to express themselves and their feelings more confidently. Children are building better links with their local community, attending youth clubs, and visiting local facilities more often. During the inspection, children enjoyed a nature walk, seeking natural items that had texture, a smell and made a noise. After finding these items, staff and children talked about them, learning what they were and where they came from. On return from their walk, children and staff enjoyed a disco and happily showed the inspector their impressive singing and dancing. Staff ensure that children have a lot of fun in this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the previous inspection, children enjoyed holding a fete, which enabled the provider to purchase additional equipment for the children to play with. During the summer holidays, two of the children who live in the home went on a holiday to North Yorkshire, which they very much enjoyed. Important events, including birthdays and Christmas, are celebrated and made special for the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have built very good relationships with the children and consult meaningfully with them about how to improve the home. A new cinema room has been designed and furnished as a result of the children’s ideas.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff continue to make improvements to the home’s environment. The décor and furnishings are now more age-appropriate to reflect the children’s increasing maturity. The outside area has been improved and the previous gravel driveway has been replaced with tarmac, making it easier for those children who use wheelchairs. To the side of the house is a sensory garden and an area for growing vegetables, which the children very much enjoy. They like being able to eat the fruits of their labour.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the previous inspection, the placements for two children have been ended. Leaders and managers did not take these decisions lightly, and reviewed and analysed why this happened. As a result, leaders and managers have reviewed the process of children moving in to the home, which now includes the manager meeting face to face with the child and their carers prior to any placement being offered, to gather additional information.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s plans are of a good quality. They provide staff with clear and current guidance on all aspects of the child’s care needs. Children’s healthcare plans include input from medical professionals to ensure that children’s health needs are met. Inspection report for children’s home: SC437171 4

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

Staff are aware of the children’s additional vulnerabilities, and manage safeguarding matters well. Good-quality, comprehensive safeguarding records are maintained.

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

Staff manage risk positively to ensure that children experience lots of activities and stay safe. Risk assessments provide clear guidance for staff on what the risks are and how these are to be mitigated.

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

Staff have an in-depth knowledge of how children communicate, and recognise the signs of children feeling anxious, unhappy or unwell. Staff act quickly in these times to help children. Restraint has not been used since the previous inspection.

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

Incident reports are comprehensive, providing a clear picture of each event. The manager has good oversight of incidents, reviewing what has happened carefully to identify any patterns or trends and amend children’s support plans when needed. Learning is identified from the manager’s reviews and appropriate action is taken to improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have a clear and accurate understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement, and take action to address them. Since the previous inspection, the quality of recording and the effectiveness of the manager’s oversight have improved. This is due, in part, to more staff being recruited, enabling managers more time to complete management tasks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale has improved. Some staff now say that they ‘love’ working at the home. Staff feel very positive about the past year nd speak with pride and emotion when talking about the progress that children have made and the improvements to the children’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well supported and trained for their role. They receive regular good-quality reflective supervision and team meetings. Supervisors focus on staff well-being; any additional support they may need is provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from parents is very positive about the care of their children and the progress they are making. One family said that the flexibility of leaders and managers regarding when short breaks take place greatly supports them. Parents trust the staff. They feel that communication with them is good, and staff work positively with them and professionals to achieve the best outcomes for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No recommendations or requirements have been raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC437171 5

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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: SC437171 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: John-Edwards Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Suffolk Way, Sevenoaks TN13 1YL

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Inspector

Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC437171 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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