Children's home run by New Forest Care Limited in New Forest

Inspection report for children's home: SC035593 1 SC035593 Registered provider: New Forest Care Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by a private organisation and can care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since December 2019.

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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: SC035593 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/06/2022 Full Good 09/02/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/10/2018 Full Good 24/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC035593 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home currently offers care for 40 weeks a year for each of the two children living there. Staff transport children when they return to their parents and when they have activities local to their family home. This supports children to maintain important relationships and to remain engaged in favourite activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children appear relaxed and happy. They engage in natural conversations with the staff and talk fondly of them. Children have positive relationships with staff who know them well. Children’s interests and hobbies are promoted and supported by staff. One child attends a football club and a local music studio. Another child cooked for attendees of an annual general meeting at his school. He was selected by the directors for this special task. These experiences promote children’s self- esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff value children’s views and listen to them. Weekly meetings occur with children. Children are involved in planning their weekly menu and activities. Key-work sessions are reflective, and records use child-friendly language.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to understand healthy relationships. Generally, staff are quick to challenge inappropriate language or comments. They discuss why they are not acceptable and help children to consider alternatives. However, on one occasion, staff did not take the opportunity to challenge derogatory language in a music video that children were watching.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in education and are making progress. Their attendance is good, and one child achieved an award for student of the year. Communication between school and the home is good. This collaborative work supports children to achieve their goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and staff have access to a therapist. Children engage in therapy sessions when they need extra support. Staff also meet with the therapist to discuss children’s behaviours. This has enhanced staff practice with children.

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

The manager proactively seeks out local support if new risks emerge for children and ensures that staff maintain strong links with the local police. Online safety training has informed staff practice. Consequently, children’s understanding of internet safety has improved.

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

Staff understand the risks that children face well. Risk assessments are individualised to each child. They are live documents and include children’s views. Children have individualised safety plans. Children help staff to design strategies Inspection report for children's home: SC035593 4 about how best to manage their behaviour and what to do should restraint ever be required. Consequently, physical restraints are rare.

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

Children do not go missing from home. They feel safe and enjoy spending time with staff. Children have become more independent while living in the home and enjoy time away from the home with their friends.

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

Staff use door sensors on children’s bedroom doors. However, it is not clear why these measures are needed, and the rationale for their use is not explained in children’s risk assessments. The unnecessary use of this equipment detracts from the otherwise homely environment for children and impacts on their privacy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported by leaders. One staff member said, ‘Our management team have a very hands-on approach to running the home.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and senior leaders provide effective supervision to staff. Supervision sessions are reflective and relevant.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have completed recent training to assist with the monitoring of the service. The manager has a good overview of the needs of the children and knows them well. She understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home. Recommendations by the independent visitor aid the manager to further improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is an emphasis on staff training and development. Staff complete induction and mandatory training. Staff also receive training to meet children’s specific needs. Therapeutic models of care underpin staff practice. The organisation has recently completed a review of the systems used to track staff’s performance. This has helped to drive improvements in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff support children’s diverse needs. They explore children’s cultural identity with them. Children’s preferences are well understood, and diversity is promoted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Parents and other professionals are positive about the service and their communication with staff. They recognise the support staff provide to the children and the progress they have made. Inspection report for children's home: SC035593 5

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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, The 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 registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children; and

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers should review the use of bedroom door alarm systems to establish if it is necessary. 1 March 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand factors that affect children’s motivation to behave in a socially acceptable way. Staff should encourage an enthusiasm for positive behaviour through the use of positive behaviour strategies in line with the child’s relevant plans. This specifically relates to positive language and age-appropriate media content. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.13)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: SC035593 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Forest Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: West Shore House, West Street, Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 6AA

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Inspector

Karen Flanagan de Martinez, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC035593 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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