Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2508451 1 Registered provider: Hampshire County Council

p.1

Inspected under the Social Care Common Inspection Framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by the local authority. It provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There were four children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2020.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2508451 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There has been an improvement in the quality of care provided to children, because of improvements to the staffing arrangements. Children have positive relationships with a stable core staff team.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have been helped to live together more harmoniously. This has been achieved by staff making good use of practical resources and by careful monitoring by managers. Consequently, children’s relationships with each other have improved. One child said about living in the home, ‘It is like a family.’

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff ensure that children’s wishes and feelings are listened to and acted on. Children’s records demonstrate that staff provide effective support to children when things do not go to plan. Staff help children to consider the impact of their language and communication on other children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Work has been carried out to improve the environment. Children have been involved in making changes, which gives them a sense of ownership and pride in their surroundings.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

When safeguarding concerns about children arise, staff respond swiftly to ensure children’s safety and well-being. Incidents are recorded thoroughly, and follow-up work to reduce the risk of a recurrence is carried out in a structured way.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff respond proactively when children need additional help and support. Physical interventions are used proportionately, and children benefit from emotional and practical support afterwards. The management team demonstrates curiosity about these incidents and encourages staff to reflect on their practice.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Managers have clear expectations regarding staff performance to ensure that children receive good-quality care. When concerns are raised about staff practice, managers take decisive action.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Senior leaders did not consult the registered manager before moving one child into the home. Changes to the group of children living in the home made the children quite unsettled and led to several incidents. The staff team has worked hard to stabilise the home, and this has had a positive impact following the difficult initial period. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2508451 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2508451 4

p.3

Recommendation

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. The registered provider should ensure that the registered person is involved in all decisions to move children into the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2508451 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hampshire County Council

p.5

Children’s home details

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

p.5

Inspector

Ashley Edwards, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2508451 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6