Children's home run by What's Out There Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC465120 1 SC465120

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Registered provider: What’s Out There 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 owned by a private company. It provides care for up to three children. At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2020.

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 26 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: SC465120 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 inspection took place to review children’s experiences and leaders and managers’ progress in addressing the requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

One child said that they like living in the home. They rated it 8/10. They identified a carer who they have developed a good bond with and would like to form better relationships with all carers. Observations of the child with carers showed positive, trusting relationships that have been formed during the time that the child has lived in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Improvements have been made to the home environment. Rooms are no longer locked. One child has been consulted in relation to household items such as knives being locked away. While there is no assessed risk, these items remain locked away at the child’s request, linked to previous negative experiences. However, no planning or work has taken place to reduce the child’s anxieties in relation to these items and reintroduce them to the home environment.

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Findings from the inspection

Planning for one child to move out of the home was child-focused and thorough. Leaders and managers identified gaps in information-sharing to ensure that essential information was shared. Leaders and managers appropriately and effectively challenged external professionals to extend timescales in relation to the child moving out. This allowed them to provide the child with the guidance and support that they required for a positive move.

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Findings from the inspection

Preparation for a child to move into the home was detailed. Carers took time to get to know them and begin the process of forming important relationships before they moved in. Information gained from external professionals who knew the child was considered to determine whether the home could meet their needs. The need for carers to expand their skill set has been acted upon. The team has accessed therapeutic guidance and advice which has expanded their knowledge and informs their practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Carers have meaningful conversations with children to ascertain their wishes and feelings. They get to know children and their needs well, which informs care planning. When appropriate to do so, children are supported to access their records. If children choose not to access their records, when appropriate, they are made aware of their content.

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Findings from the inspection

The response by carers when children go missing is robust. They follow well-written and informative plans. They liaise with external professionals and other people who know the child to gather essential information. They are persistent in their attempts to contact and find the child. Carers talk to the children about risks and their Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC465120 3 concerns with the aim of reducing them. They understand that children are individuals and adapt their practice to their needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have a good level of oversight of the home. They consistently analyse recordings about children’s lives. This has assisted them to identify patterns in behaviour, thus developing methods of managing risk and supporting children. Recordings that detail children’s experiences have been adapted. If children were to read them, they would gain a good insight into their lives.

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Findings from the inspection

Carers feel supported by leaders and managers. They said that they received a good level of support from managers. They value the training and professional development opportunities that they are provided with. Managers are supporting carers to embed reflective models into their daily practice, acknowledging that this will promote positive outcomes for children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC465120 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/05/2021 Full Good 11/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC465120 5

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Recommendation

 The registered manager should ensure that work is undertaken with children to support them to address previous negative experiences. In doing so, this will allow children to live in a less restrictive home environment, obviating the need to lock household items away. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.15 ) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC465120 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: What’s Out There Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Burrow Hill Cottage, Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset TA4 2RN

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Inspector

Carla Simkiss, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC465120 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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Inspector

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