Children's home run by Step-A-Side Company Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028868 1 SC028868

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Registered provider: Step-A-Side Company Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider and is registered to offer care for up to four children.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home, having moved here in March 2023. A second child lived at the home between July 2021 and September 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

A suitably qualified registered manager oversees the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, 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. The inspector has 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: SC028868 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

The child living at this home has trusting and secure relationships with staff. Staff have a good understanding of the child’s needs and provide them with warm and attuned care.

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Findings from the inspection

Through these positive relationships, staff have been able to support the child well with their education. This support has had a positive outcome as the child is now attending college regularly.

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Findings from the inspection

The child enjoys the varied activities that staff help to engage them in. For example, they have recently built a shed with support from the organisation’s maintenance team and have been given a space in one of the outbuildings to work on an engine from a quad bike. Staff are proud of the child’s achievements and progress and speak about this enthusiastically.

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Findings from the inspection

When children make complaints, these are taken seriously and responded to in a thorough and timely manner. Children are updated about the process of any investigation; the outcomes are shared with them and their views are clearly recorded.

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Findings from the inspection

Significant incidents are infrequent and staff have helped the child to feel settled. Restraint has not been needed in this home and there have been no missing-from- home episodes since the previous inspection. Staff are suitably trained to support children if these incidents do happen.

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Findings from the inspection

When any incidents do take place, these are generally managed appropriately by staff. Following incidents, children and staff involved are spoken to and their views recorded. Children are also offered the opportunity to speak to an advocate or their social worker. Management oversight is effective, where care is reflected on and lessons learned.

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Findings from the inspection

When safeguarding concerns are raised these are responded to robustly and in line with relevant procedures. The manager and staff work well with external professionals to share information and develop multi-agency plans to safeguard children.

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Findings from the inspection

One allegation has been made against staff since the previous inspection. This was responded to appropriately by staff and managers. An investigation report was completed in a timely manner and prompt action taken to safeguard both children and staff. Children were kept updated about the process of the investigation and the outcome. Their views were clearly recorded as part of this process. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028868 3 The manager has taken action to address the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since this period, one child has moved out of the home. Managers and staff have reflected on this ending, and the learning from this period has been used to inform practice and development.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has advocated strongly for the child living in the home, and there are multiple examples of her effectively challenging external professionals.

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Findings from the inspection

She has been effective at developing working relationships with external agencies and sourcing additional specialist support and training for herself and the staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

Training and the development of knowledge within the home around exploitation has been a focus. As a result, recent concerns regarding exploitation, with respect to the child living here, have been identified promptly and robust action taken to address concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Management oversight is evident across records and effective systems for monitoring patterns and concerns are in place. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028868 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/12/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/08/2021 Full Good 06/08/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028868 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Step-A-Side Company Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Step-A-Side Company Ltd, 29 Market Place, Coleford, Gloucestershire GL16 8AA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Rachel Carwardine

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Inspector

Janet Jauregui, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028868 6 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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