Children's home run by Next Step Independence Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2730493 1 Registered provider: Next Step Independence

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered in July 2023 and provides care for up to two children.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living in the home at the time of the inspection. Two other children lived in the home until December 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager resigned in December 2023. A new manager has been in post since February 2024 and has not yet submitted his application to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 14 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 31 October 2023

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Inspection date: 14 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 14 March 2024

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: 2730493 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

Since the previous inspection, the children who were living in the home at this time have moved out. The previous manager has stepped down from this role in December 2023 and a new manager has been in post since February 2024.

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Findings from the inspection

Before the appointment of the current manager, the home was overseen by a registered manager from another home within the same organisation on an interim basis. The interim manager and responsible individual have worked to address some of the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has moved in since the previous inspection. Before they moved in, their needs were considered alongside the skills and experience of the staff team. Children’s support plans are of good quality and contain clear and up-to-date guidance for staff on how best to support children. The current child has only been living here for a short period. The child said that they enjoy living at the home and that they feel safe and happy.

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Findings from the inspection

Team meetings are used to good effect. The interim manager uses these opportunities to share updates and information with staff and to reflect on practice.

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Findings from the inspection

When children move on from the home, managers and staff attempt to give them a positive ending to their time here. However, detailed planning for moves has proved more challenging as some children have left at short notice. Staff continue to provide outreach support for one child on a short-term basis which meets their needs and maintains relationships.

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Findings from the inspection

When children have gone missing from home, staff have responded appropriately by following them and reporting them missing. Management oversight following incidents is variable in terms of quality and reflection on staff practice. Since the previous inspection, systems for management oversight have been reviewed and strengthened and more recent records have shown some improvement in this area.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff say that in recent weeks, morale has improved. They feel well supported by visible and approachable managers. The staff team currently consists of three core team members, and recruitment is underway for two vacancies. Other members of staff working in the home have been taken from another home within the organisation which is applying to register. . The responsible individual has advised that the timing of new staff starting and current team members returning to work at their allocated home will be carefully considered to minimise the impact on children.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers are currently considering new referrals for this home. The responsible individual acknowledges that a stable and established staff team and manager are Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2730493 3 important in ensuring consistent care and positive outcomes for children, and that this will be considered when reviewing the timing of any new child moving in. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2730493 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2730493 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, The 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child.

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that before any new child moves into the home, they consider the impact of the stability of the staff team to ensure that children receive a carefully planned move, in line with the ethos and statement of purpose. 9 May 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2730493 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Next Step Independence

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Next Step Independence, Wellington House, Queen Street, Taunton TA1 3UF

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Bridget Drew-Spyer

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Inspector

Janet Jauregui, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2730493 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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