Children's home run by Willows (Devon) Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2740654 1 Registered provider: Willows (Devon) Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since June 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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2740654 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first inspection of a new home. It is well maintained and has a warm, cosy feel. Personal possessions show that a child lives here. Carers know the child who lives here well, and the child enjoys nurturing relationships with the core staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since coming to the home, this child has made good progress. They are now attending college once a week, going to the dentist, getting their hair cut and learning how to budget. These are all big achievements from their starting point.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Carers are supporting the child to make progress with their independence well. They have supported them to cook meals, manage their personal hygiene and budget money. Carers consistently encourage and support day-to-day tasks such as doing laundry and showering.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

In the main, meals are made by the child, and carers support with the planning, budgeting and cooking. However, healthier foods within this are limited and support to develop healthy eating habits is lacking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child feels safe in this home, and the carers understand risks well. The child’s views are sought routinely and acted on. Activities are offered regularly; however, the home lacks a robust parenting approach when the child is reluctant to engage.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s interests and hobbies are encouraged, and necessary tasks take place routinely, such as trips to the bank or for food shopping. A short break to Wales and a camping trip have been enjoyed. However, more could be done to consider extending these opportunities and encouraging friendships.

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

There has been a significant reduction in the number of self-harm incidents since the child moved here. When incidents have happened, carers have responded in a nurturing way. They have offered support and had appropriate conversations with the child. It is evident that the child knows who to talk to if they have any worries.

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

Carers, generally know safeguarding processes well. However, on one occasion there was a delay in reporting a concern quickly to the correct department. This was not in relation to the child living at the home; however, it is important to consider the wider context of safeguarding and ensure action is taken for all children.

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

Effective links are made with other professionals. Review meeting records provide evidence of good, professional working. Information is shared quickly and routinely with professionals about the child living here. Team meetings and supervision Inspection report for children’s home: 2740654 3 records provide evidence of good discussion about safeguarding, and lessons learned are shared with the team appropriately.

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

Carers understand the risks of the internet, and random searches are in place regarding technology. Support to limit the amount of time the child is spending on the laptop is lacking.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers understand the child’s needs and know them well. Careful consideration is given to staffing and rotas so that there is consistency for this child. No agency staff have been used, and when the support team has been called on, the same staff members are used where possible. Robust systems are in place for safe recruitment of staff, ensuring safety for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Carers describe feeling supported by leaders and managers and that advice is always available to them. Supervision takes place routinely and provides a good balance of practical support and reflection. Team meetings provide a good opportunity for learning together.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from professionals is positive. The child’s social worker shared that reviews are highly detailed, and that communication regarding the child’s needs is quick. Another professional commented on the positive relationships they see between the child and staff and how good communication is with them from managers and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have good oversight of the care provided and are reflective on what has happened. Managers and staff need to have clearer goals for children with specific time frames and steps to reach each goal. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740654 4

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Recommendations:

 The registered person should ensure that staff seek to identify and provide appropriate opportunities for children to develop themselves in accordance with their wishes and feelings and as part of the home’s plan for their care. In particular, this means that the staff should be clear on the targets for the child and that there are specific steps with timescales and details of how the staff will help the child to develop skills of independence. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.4).  The registered person should ensure that children are provided with nutritious meals suitable for each child’s needs. Where appropriate, children should be involved in choosing and preparing meals, and opportunities to sit together and eat should be promoted. In particular, this means that healthy eating should be modelled and encouraged. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including

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Recommendations:

the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.8).

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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: 2740654 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Willows (Devon) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Old Farm House, Gussage St. Michael, Wimborne BH21 5JE

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Inspectors

Nickie Doney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2740654 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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