Children's Home run by Solent Child Care Limited in Dorset

Inspection report for children’s home: 2740453 1 Registered provider: Solent Child Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to two children who have experienced trauma and who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager resigned from their post in February 2024. A new manager has been appointed and they intend to apply for registration.

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Information about this children’s home

For the purpose of this report, staff are referred to as adults, which is part of the ethos of this home.

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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: 2740453 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The organisation has provided care for the children for several years. Both children used to live at another of their registered homes which was more rurally located. In July 2023, the organisation registered this home which was better located to meet the needs of these children to enable their independence further and support their progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm and inviting. Adults take great care to ensure they capture important and happy moments for the children. Photos are displayed throughout the home. They also take note of important experiences so children can take these memories with them as they move on, for example, one child meeting their sister for the first time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy spending time in the dining space, living room and snug. Their toys are dotted around the rooms, such as dolls, books and gaming equipment. The manager has sought the children’s views about decorating and personalising their bedrooms. Adults are supporting the children to select paint and wallpaper.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made good progress from their individual starting points. Both children are confident in sharing their wishes and feelings. They are exercising greater independence and have improved self-care. Adults encourage the children to attend education and they are both on track to meet expectations. One child is working towards a trade qualification that could enhance their future job prospects.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have developed good relationships with the adults, particularly the new manager. Interactions are affectionate, caring and respectful. These relationships have set the foundation for adults to have difficult conversations with the children about sensitive subjects when needed. They have also supported the children through periods of uncertainty, making them feel safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults support the children to spend time with people who matter to them most. For example, they have helped one child to maintain a relationship with a foster carer. Adults understand that this relationship is important to the child because it strengthens their ties to their brothers and sisters.

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

Adults have a good understanding of the children’s vulnerabilities and individual risks. For example, one child voiced that they wanted to spend more time in the community unsupervised by adults. The manager responded in a way that allowed the child to have a greater sense of freedom, while also being curious about their friendships, virtual communication and spending. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740453 3 The managers’ responses to safeguarding concerns have been swift and appropriate. They have escalated concerns to other professionals, using established safeguarding processes. On one occasion, they proactively devised a safety plan to ensure that a child could continue spending time with their family, providing it was supervised by adults.

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

Adults respond well to children during moments of distress. Managers’ remain calm, consistent and caring and have modelled this approach to their team. Children have not experienced any physical interventions.

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

On one occasion, there were some shortfalls in safeguarding practice, but these were quickly remedied after a reflective discussion between the new manager and responsible individual.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers ensure that the children are making progress in line with their care plans. Children’s goals are clear; they take account of the progress they have made and are yet to make. Managers have identified that the children require ongoing support to understand their emotions and the use of healthy coping strategies. They have also identified that one child requires support to make informed decisions and to understand healthy relationships and safe behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers advocate for children’s needs and access to services. They challenge other professionals if they perceive them to fall short of their responsibilities towards the children. They also challenge adults about their practice and use of language when it falls below the expected standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The former registered manager resigned from their post in February 2024. However, the new manager was appointed in June 2023. This gave them the opportunity to develop good relationships with the children while working alongside the former registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Key adults from the children’s previous home supported their move to their new home. However, some staffing changes meant that managers needed to recruit new adults. The children have responded well to this; feeling secure due to the existing relationships they have with remaining adults. New staff speak highly of the manager, who they describe as ‘warm’ and ‘approachable’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The children have experienced lots of change, but managers and leaders have handled this with care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740453 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they are always alert to potential risks from others outside of the home and take appropriate steps to protect a child where there are concerns for their safety. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.13)

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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: 2740453 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solent Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Blackwood Futcher and Co, 9 St Georges Yard, Farnham GU9 7LW

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Inspector

Tara Webb, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2740453 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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