Children's home run by SV Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2649767 1 Registered provider: SV Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties. There were three children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted on 21 January 2022. The manager registered in February 2023.

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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: 28 September 2022

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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: 2649767 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/09/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2649767 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children at this home are cared for by a committed and compassionate team of staff. This helps children to settle into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The high ratio of staff to children in the home means children benefit from one to one time with adults. They enjoy a range of new experiences in the community. Children and staff spend time together cooking, playing games and watching movies. This helps to create a relaxed atmosphere.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child said that a member of staff was ‘amazing! She’s like my work mum,’ and went on to say, ’I love most staff.’ Another child told the inspector, ‘It is best for me to be here; [it] helps me all the time and it feels like a real family.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home is maintained to a high standard. Children personalise their bedrooms, which are spacious. They have their own ensuite shower room and television. Children take it in turns to help cook and eat together with staff. In particular, the inspector was told that one child makes a perfect cheese omelette.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in education. Staff work closely with the schools, colleges and relevant professionals. They understand that for some children going to school can be difficult. Children are offered help and the space to talk about this. Staff keep the children’s educational needs under review and advocate for support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are registered promptly with a relevant health provision. Staff make sure children attend all their appointments. The management and leadership team are resourceful at finding support services for children. They work hard to link children into support services to help with education, mental health and safety. Children are encouraged to meet with an independent advocate.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to keep in touch with their families and other people who are important to them. Family time is carefully planned and supported by staff. Visits to the family members’ homes are arranged, where possible. Families are welcomed when they visit children in the home.

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

The management and leadership team have experience of working with children who have multiple needs. They understand risks, strengths and vulnerabilities. Risk assessments are clear and detailed. Strategies to support children are specific to the individual child. Children contribute to their behavioural support plans.

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

Children speak positively about their experience at the home. They form meaningful relationships with staff. They talk to staff about their concerns. This helps to keep them safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2649767 4 The management and leadership team have a good understanding of contextual safeguarding and the risks posed to children in the community. If children are missing from the home, there is a well-coordinated response. Staff maintain regular contact with children and those in their network to encourage them to return home.

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

Staff are suitably trained to physically intervene with children safely, when required. However, there have been few incidents of physical intervention since the last inspection.

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

Incidents and any consequences are thoroughly recorded and reviewed. Leaders and managers, staff and children take time to discuss incidents and reflect on how things could be done differently. This helps reduce the risks to children.

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

The manager is experienced at providing support to children who have a range of needs and who self-harm. Information about incidents of self-harm are not always shared with health services. This means that they are not recorded on the child’s health record. There is not always an overview from health regarding risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by an experienced and qualified registered manager, who is supported by a deputy manager. They create a culture where staff strive to make a positive difference to children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Record-keeping has significantly improved since the last inspection. Children’s records are comprehensive, reflect their holistic needs and capture their voice. There are effective monitoring systems in place to ensure that leaders and managers constantly review the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have improved their safer recruitment policies and procedures. Safe recruitment and employment practices are followed, ensuring that only suitable staff are employed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a comprehensive induction and ongoing training to strengthen their knowledge and skills. Staff members demonstrate a strong understanding of whistle- blowing policies and safeguarding procedures. Concerns are shared with the relevant agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The admissions process for new children appropriately considers their needs and the impact on children already living in the home. Managers work with placing authorities and families to understand children’s needs. Communication with other professionals is good.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers know the home’s strengths and areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team would benefit from additional training on the management of incidents of self-harm. Supervision and appraisals are not always completed or recorded within Inspection report for children’s home: 2649767 5 acceptable timescales. Staff require regular supervision to help them meet the identified needs of children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2649767 6

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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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being;

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 1(b) 2(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that information about children’s health needs and incidents of self-harm are shared with health professionals. 15 March 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 4(a)(b)(c)) 15 March 2024

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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: 2649767 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: SV Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 71 Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 0TY

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Inspector

Matilda Clode, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2649767 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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