Children's Home run by Phoenix Children’s Homes Limited in Plymouth

Inspection report for children’s home: 2604092 1 Registered provider: Phoenix Childcare Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It can provide care for up to two children with emotional or social needs. At the time of inspection, two children were living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager in post has applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: Ofsted identified serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care and protection of the children living in the home in September 2023. As a result, a compliance notice was issued under regulation 13 and a decision was made to restrict admissions to the home. Sufficient progress was made to address these notices at the subsequent monitoring visits. Inspection report for children’s home: 2604092 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/06/2022 Full Good 09/11/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2604092 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Significant changes have taken place in this home and a new manager took over in April 2024. Their experience and decision-making have had a positive impact on the care that children receive here. Both children moved into the home recently. The acting manager carefully considered the children’s needs alongside the skills of the staff before each child moved in. This has meant that the moving-in process has gone smoothly for everyone.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children have trusted relationships with staff. One child said that they could talk to any adult at the home if they were worried. The other child frequently seeks affection from staff and was pleased to see particular staff when they arrived. Staff have a consistent approach to meeting each child’s needs. There is information available to staff in care plans so that they know key words and methods to use to help children with their daily routines. One child’s bedtime routine was written in their words so that staff knew exactly how to help settle the child at bedtime.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child is progressing well in education after a long period away from education. The manager has lobbied for additional education for them. Activities and worksheets have been provided for the child to complete with help from the staff. External professionals commented on how proactive the manager has been regarding this child’s education. The other child is not currently in education as they only moved into the home two weeks prior to the inspection. The manager has organised alternatives for them, for example trips to the library and the aquarium.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have busy and fun-filled days which are individual to them. They spend time playing games, going bowling or to the beach, and one child has annual passes to two local attractions. The other child has a gym membership.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Evening meals are nutritious and both children’s views are sought on what they would like. Children are encouraged to eat a wider variety of food than they would choose. They are offered a side bowl of vegetables to try to widen their tastes, for example, and evening meals are varied. Yet, healthy snacks, breakfasts and lunches are lacking.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming and cosy. Toys that belong to the children and models they have made are on display, which show they live here. One child’s bedroom is sparsely decorated. However, this is in line with their wishes. Some cupboards are locked, which is due to the new arrival of one child, and this has been risk assessed as appropriate at this time.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child rated the home as an 8.5 out of 10. Increasing their pocket money and not being woken up early would make it a 10.

p.3

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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2604092 4 There have been few safeguarding incidents since these children moved in. Risk assessments are clear. They provide guidance to staff so that they would know what to do if an incident occurred, for example if a child went missing.

p.4

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

Mobile phone and internet safety work has been completed with one child and a written agreement is in place with them about how they use their phone. Staff were quick to notice an incident involving the child’s mobile phone and were swift to ensure their safety. Conversations took place with the child to help them to understand the possible risks. However, not enough was done to ensure the safety of the other child involved.

p.4

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

Clear boundaries and expectations are in place for children so that they can take age- appropriate risks. An agreement is in place with one child about how they can spend time away from the home, so they know what is expected. Staff complete direct work with children to explore harmful behaviours and ways to keep themselves safe.

p.4

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

There was a delay in registering one child with a dentist. This was highlighted as a need in reports from the independent person. The manager made efforts to follow this up, but the lack of trying alternatives delayed this child in receiving necessary treatment.

p.4

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

Consideration is given to children’s sexual health needs. Staff talk to children about their physical development and sexual health.

p.4

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

Fire procedures are in place and drills take place. However, it is not always clear in the records which children are present. The manager was immediately able to rectify this and put a more robust procedure in place.

p.4

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

Recruitment processes are thorough, which ensures that managers are able to make suitability decisions about adults that are employed. When managers were not satisfied in relation to overseas employment checks, a risk assessment was used.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The appointment of a consistent and experienced manager has been a necessary improvement. They are skilled and ambitious for children, and they know these children well. Their ability to reflect on the needs of the children and align them to the skillset of the staff team has been transformative. The manager was able to consider the skills of the staff when looking at referrals and consider the children’s needs. For example, the manager was aware that the staff team did not have the skills to meet the needs of children with high levels of self-harm or exploitation risks.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about being supported and know who to contact when there are difficulties. However, changes within the staff team have meant that, at times, staff are supervised by different managers. There is the potential for learning to be missed and for children’s needs to be overlooked. Staffing difficulties over the last two months have meant that some staff have not received adequate supervision that is in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Inspection report for children’s home: 2604092 5 The manager has good oversight of the care of the children. When an historic disclosure was raised, she was quick to put a system in place for any future concerns to be recorded. This means that concerns can be monitored, and patterns can be identified. Training helps staff to understand children’s needs and tailored training for one child is due to take place imminently.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children’s records are clear documents, which show a caring approach is taken when writing them. Reflection takes place and considers the needs of the children both separately and together. Feedback from wider professionals is overwhelmingly positive, particularly in relation to the manager. Inspection report for children’s home: 2604092 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.6

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.6

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that effective child protection measures are in place for all children they are in contact with and not just those who live in the home. 23 August 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

p.6

Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 23 August 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2604092 7 that each child is registered as a patient with a general medical practitioner and a registered dental practitioner; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(b)(c))

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that the children are registered with a dentist.

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are provided with nutritious meals suitable for each child’s needs. In particular, consideration should be given to healthy snacks, breakfasts and lunches. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.8)  The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. In particular, the manager should have good oversight of the supervision for all staff working in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

p.7

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: 2604092 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Childcare Ltd

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Support Hub, Unit 5, Chinon Court, Lower Moor Way, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6SS

p.8

Inspector

Nickie Doney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2604092 9 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9