Children's Home run by Homes 2 Inspire Limited in Somerset

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2719373 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to care for three children with emotional and social needs. At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children's home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2023 when the home opened.

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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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: 2719373 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

This assurance inspection was completed due to one child telling professionals that he did not feel safe in the home. This concern came at a time where there has been an increase in the number of safeguarding incidents being reported to Ofsted by the home.

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Findings from the inspection

This home is part of a scheme designed to support children with complex needs. Against a backdrop of a national shortage of homes that can care for children with the most complex needs, this area of specialism has meant that some children who have previously lived in unregistered children's homes have been able to leave them and come to live in this home.

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Findings from the inspection

Three children live at this home. It is a large, spacious property, which is well maintained and situated in a quiet residential street. The garden area provides a great deal of space for outdoor activities.

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Findings from the inspection

Two children were seen at this visit; they presented as happy and relaxed. These children have both made significant progress since moving into the home, including a reduction in anti-social behaviours. They are both engaged in education, which is in line with their needs. There is an active plan for one child to return to their parent’s care.

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Findings from the inspection

The child who has told professionals that he does not always feel safe, commented that it is scary when incidents happen and that he will go to his room at these times. His feelings are widely known by professionals, who consistently adapt care planning to help to allay his anxiety. This child also commented that he felt that the home is ‘outstanding’. He speaks fondly of his carers and living here.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a stable care team, which is providing important consistency for the children. Carers have evidently developed positive relationships with children and were seen to enjoy each other’s company. Nurturing conversations take place, enabling children to share their feelings and concerns, which they had not always been able to do prior to living at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has been living away from the home for most of the time over the past several months. For most of this time, they have not been classed as missing due to the child’s known whereabouts. However, the address where the child is spending this significant amount of time is not deemed to be suitable by professionals. At times, when the child does come home, there have been significant incidents and volatile behaviour. This child has complex mental health needs, which have not been fully assessed as they have not been able to engage the in the assessment process. There is a multi-agency team around this child, who meet regularly. The registered Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2719373 3 manager plays a significant role in this team. While the registered manager has done all that could be expected of them, in this joint work with other professionals, to promote the child's welfare and to affect their return to the home, the child has

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Findings from the inspection

been away from the home for longer than is in their best interests.

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Findings from the inspection

There have only been two incidents of children going missing since the previous inspection. Carers took prompt and effective action to locate the child on each occasion and to support them to come home. Independent return-from-missing conversations were offered to the child, although they did not engage in these.

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Findings from the inspection

When incidents happen, carers act quickly to safeguard children. On several occasions, a child has damaged their bedroom and threatened to harm carers. A trigger plan is in place to support staff to respond to these incidents and action is being taken to ensure that repairs are completed.

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Findings from the inspection

Room checks are completed as and when carers have concerns. These are not always completed with children present. This may lead children to feel that their privacy has been infringed. Door alarms are also in situ and are used on all the children’s bedroom doors. There are no clear plans in respect of reviewing or removing them. This is a restrictive practice which should be removed as soon as it is assessed as safe to do so.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has good oversight of the home. She is a strong advocate for the children in her care and is committed to promoting the best outcomes for them.

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Findings from the inspection

Carers say that they are supported by the manager and senior leaders well. They can access support at anytime during their shifts. A concern about a carer’s practice was well managed and thoroughly investigated.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager knows the children well and has developed relationships with key family members in children’s lives. This demonstrates her understating that these enduring relationships are very important to children throughout their lives.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is working closely with a multi-agency team to review all children’s needs and to promote safeguarding them. Social workers explained that she is always available and shares any concerns in a timely way. They also say that all the children have made progress since they moved into the home. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2719373 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/08/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2719373 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, 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

Understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; and uses this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, room searches should be completed with children’s consent and, where possible, with the child present. Furthermore, the use of door alarms should be assessed on the individual needs of each child, and their use reviewed consistently until they can be removed. 27 March 2024 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2719373 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Homes 2 Inspire Limited, Lumonics House, Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby CV21 1TQ

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Inspector

Polly Soper, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2719373 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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