Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

Inspection report for children's home: SC033174 1 SC033174 Registered provider: Hampshire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority. The home is registered to care for one child.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 30 January 2024.

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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: inadequate

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC033174 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2023 Full Inadequate 02/08/2022 Full Good 26/04/2022 Full Inadequate 26/04/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC033174 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made significant progress since living in the home. The environment provides a calm and homely atmosphere.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Respectful staff confidently promote diversity and inclusion. Practical arrangements are incorporated into daily planning to ensure that the child can continually practise their faith. This means that they maintain their cultural and religious identity and gain a sense of belonging and acceptance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work collaboratively with other professionals. Consistent escalation by the registered manager has ensured successful outcomes for the child. For example, securing prompt access to education has promoted the child’s attainment and independence skills and has significantly improved their English language.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Proactive staff provide plentiful opportunities for the child to express their wishes, views and feelings. Significant conversations are well recorded. Interactions are purposeful and cover a wide range of topics through discussion and debate. As a result, the child said that they feel heard and that their wishes are acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a comprehensive oversight of the child’s health and dietary needs. Practical support and guidance provided by staff mean that the child can maintain a healthy lifestyle as they progress towards greater independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All staff ensure that the child’s emotional and physical needs are met. When the logistics of accessing some resources are challenging, staff creatively ensure a range of activities are available both in the home and in the community.

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

Staff have diligently taken steps to further improve their knowledge, skills and understanding of safeguarding. The opportunity to spend time supporting children in other homes run by the local authority has been welcomed by all staff. As a result, there is an enhanced professional curiosity in relation to safeguarding.

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

Newly appointed staff have successfully completed their induction. All staff have completed mandatory and bespoke training in areas such as child sexual exploitation and the risks associated with the radicalisation of children. Staff described this learning as ‘re-energising’ by staff.

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

Staff know their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. Staff are confident in the reporting process when there is a concern about a child. The registered manager is responsive to any concern raised and appropriately informs the regulator and professionals in a timely manner. Inspection report for children's home: SC033174 4 The management team has a good oversight of how risk is addressed in the home. Reviews and discussions regularly take place to encourage staff to be inquisitive and curious. This has supported the development of clear and focused risk assessments.

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

All staff have actively reviewed historical examples of behaviour management to further learn and develop their skills. As a result, all staff are familiar with de- escalation techniques and the appropriate use of physical intervention.

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

Children rarely go missing from home. However, all staff are familiar with the reporting process and what to do to ensure the children’s safety and well-being should this occur.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a clear vision for the home. The recently updated statement of purpose has created clarity regarding the function of the home. This means that children are cared for by staff who know their roles and responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager makes good use of a range of monitoring systems to understand the impact of the quality of care. She completes a monthly review of the service and shares this with senior leaders, which enables them to have effective oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The welfare of staff is a priority for managers and the senior leadership team. Staff reported that they are supported, listened to and enjoy working in the home. When staff are not performing to the high standards expected, leaders and managers take swift action to address any concern.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff say that they feel well supported and that their induction has equipped them to understand procedures and how to meet the child’s needs. Regular, well- attended team meetings provide staff with the opportunity to share and learn from practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a significant drive to improve the quality of supervision afforded to staff. All staff now receive regular practice-related supervision and have benefited from an annual appraisal. This provides opportunities to discuss feedback on their performance and plans for staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager makes good use of their own quality of care reviews and the independent person’s reports to inform service developments. The improved methods of quality assurance ensure regular and documented oversight by the senior leadership team. This has given the registered manager direction and confidence to further improve practice and outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The requirements made at the last inspection have all been met. As a result of this inspection, no requirements or recommendations have been set. Inspection report for children's home: SC033174 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: SC033174 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hampshire County Council

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC033174 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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