Children's home run by The Partnership of The Chartwell Group

Inspection report for children’s home: SC015266 1 SC015266 Registered provider: The Partnership of The Chartwell Group Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care and education for up to six children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma that has left them vulnerable. There is an independent school on site that is registered with the Department for Education. The inspector only inspected the social care provision.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2016.

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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 good

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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 February 2023

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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: SC015266 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2023 Full Good 21/09/2021 Full Outstanding 04/03/2020 Full Good 11/12/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC015266 3

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outstanding

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. Three of the children have lived together for over two years. Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home and three children have moved on.

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outstanding

The staff provide outstanding care to children. They have built trusting relationships with children. The home has a vibrant atmosphere filled with joy and laughter. Children said that the staff are kind, understand them and really care. One child said, ‘We are like a big family.’ Children feel loved, valued and understood.

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outstanding

Children are making excellent progress in education. They all have education places at the provider’s linked education provision. One child had no engagement with school and poor attendance before moving to the home. He is now attending school and is enjoying learning. His social worker said, ‘He has made fantastic progress at school, and it is so wonderful to see him enjoy learning.’ Staff go above and beyond expectations to support children to engage with education. If the children are anxious, staff attend school with them and give them encouragement to put them at ease. Staff help children to fulfil their educational potential.

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outstanding

Staff encourage children to spend time with their families. Staff listen to parents and include them in children’s care planning. One social worker said that staff go above and beyond expectations to ensure that parents feel included. This social worker said that they work together harmoniously with staff and parents because the parents feel listened to by staff. Staff work with children and families to increase their time together whenever possible. Because of this, one child is now able to have multiple overnight stays, which enabled them to spend Christmas with their family. The social worker is so pleased with this progress that he is looking into the family having a holiday together.

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outstanding

Staff are proactive in helping children to develop independent living skills. The independence programme identifies skills that the children need to develop and to become successful adults. The staff help children to learn about budgeting, personal hygiene and life skills. The children are very proud of being able to cook and bake. They are working to achieve AQA awards for independence skills. Staff play a significant part in helping children to be well prepared when they move on from the home.

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outstanding

Children take part in an abundance of activities and day trips. Two children attend a youth club. Another child attends a drama club and has performed in plays. Another child attends the police cadets and is part of a football club. One child volunteers for the Air Ambulance service. All the children enjoy attending a local social community club. Staff have helped them to develop positive experiences with people in the community and increased the children’s social skills. Children have fantastic Inspection report for children’s home: SC015266 4 opportunities to try new activities that improve their self-esteem and enable them to enjoy being part of the community.

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outstanding

The home is spacious and welcoming and feels like a family home. There are photos of the children around the home. The staff are nurturing, and the children thrive in the environment. The children have the use of several separate rooms in which they can play, game and relax in. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their own tastes and to meet their individual needs. This helps the children feel valued in their surroundings.

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outstanding

Safeguarding at the home is exemplary. The manager and staff understand the importance of safeguarding and are proactive in keeping up to date with relevant training and safeguarding procedures. Children feel happy and safe, have meaningful relationships with staff and talk openly. Consequently, there have been no incidents of children going missing from care and no safeguarding concerns.

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outstanding

The manager and staff have put a strong focus on positive behaviour reinforcement. Children’s views are an integral part of behaviour management plans. The plans are based on a researched model. The plans comprehensively guide staff on how to support children. Children have developed coping strategies to manage their feelings and emotions. As a result, there are rarely any unwanted behaviours.

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outstanding

The staff have creative ideas to capture children’s interests in their reward systems. The staff are enthusiastic and give lots of encouragement to help children to achieve their goals. One child said, ‘I am so proud that I have achieved my rewards.’ Children are invested in achieving their rewards and feel an immense sense of pride.

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outstanding

The manager and staff have supported a child who had complex behavioural needs. Since moving into the home, the staff arranged for the child to spend time with a local police community support officer to help the child understand the impact of their behaviours. Since living at the home, the child has not displayed these behaviours. The social worker said, ‘[Name of child] is like a different child.’ This progress is due to the staff’s consistent approaches and their deep understanding of how to meet children’s needs.

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, the manager has had a professional independent fire door review and replaced the doors where needed. The manager has completed an internal fire risk assessment. Inspection report for children’s home: SC015266 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The experienced registered manager has managed the home for seven years and has a relevant level 5 qualification. Staff say that the manager is competent and that she has high expectations of the quality of care provided. Children benefit from a stable and consistent staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has worked hard to recruit staff. She has recently recruited three new staff. The responsible individual, manager and staff have worked overtime to ensure that the children are cared for by people they know and trust while the recruitment of staff is underway.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from good-quality face-to-face training. The staff said that they feel well prepared for their roles and received a thorough induction. They initially had the opportunity to shadow experienced staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff either have or are currently working towards a relevant level 3 diploma within the agreed timescales. One staff member has a relevant level 5 qualification and another is working towards the qualification. Staff have a good knowledge of how to meet the children’s needs, and they are motivated to provide excellent care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is high. Staff said that they have regular supervision sessions and good guidance from the manager. The staff continue to develop professionally.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has submitted their internal monitoring report to Ofsted as required. The report is generally of good quality. However, it includes limited feedback from professionals, parents and children. The report does not evaluate the impact of these views on the quality of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has not had the external fire risk assessment reviewed within the suggested timescales. At the time of this inspection, the review was delayed by two months. Although there is no current impact on safety, it is an area to address. Inspection report for children’s home: SC015266 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should comply with relevant health and safety legislations. In particular, they should ensure that the external fire risk assessment is reviewed in line with the fire professional’s recommendation. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should carry out a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home, the experiences of children living there and the impact that the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. The report should include a range of feedback. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2)

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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: SC015266 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Partnership of The Chartwell Group

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Chartwell House, Goodens Lane, Newton, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 5HQ

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC015266 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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