Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Inspection report for children's home: SC040642 1 SC040642 Registered provider: Surrey County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a local authority and provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties. Five children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2020.

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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 Outstanding

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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: 6 September 2023

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Good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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Good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC040642 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/09/2023 Full Good 15/02/2023 Full Good 27/04/2021 Full Outstanding 10/12/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC040642 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and staff build strong relationships that are based on trust. Staff know the children well and children’s care is personalised. Positive interactions between children and staff lead to positive experiences for children living at the home. Children said that they like living at the home and staff are good.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in education and their achievements are celebrated. Education provision is being found for a child who moved into the home recently. One child has completed exams and received good results that will support their further education. When one child struggled to attend their education provision full time, the home’s staff ensured that alternative plans were in place. Therefore, children are well supported by staff to achieve academically.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of children’s developmental needs. One child receives additional and consistent support from staff to help them learn to read. Staff also read to some children as a part of their bedtime routine. Children experience a structed and caring approach from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The interactions between the children are positive most of the time, and children are aware of each other’s different needs. Staff are good at engaging the children in their personalised routines and supporting them in group activities at the home and in the community. Most children benefited from a group holiday during the summer break.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported by staff to develop their independence skills, according to their individual needs. Some children can cook and do their laundry, and others learn how to stay safe in the community. One child lives independently in the flat in the same building as the home, a move which was achieved gradually. This child said that they like it this way and staff are nearby should they need them. Staff help children to spend time with their family and support their return to the family home in line with agreed plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s wishes and feelings are listened to and respected. Children said they can tell staff if they want anything and they discuss their views and wishes during community meetings. Children are consulted after incidents and their views are acknowledged and respected. Children said they know how to make a complaint, but they have not had to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a consistent housekeeper who is in the home on weekdays. Apart from daily housekeeping duties, an informal role of ‘nan’ has unintentionally developed. Children benefit from this and enjoy her presence.

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

The registered manager and staff are proactive and creative in their safeguarding practice. Staff have an excellent understanding of the children’s risks and behaviours. Inspection report for children's home: SC040642 4 Each week, staff and managers review and update supportive behaviour strategies, which are discussed with the children. A transparent method of working between children and staff and other appropriate professionals supports the children to make positive changes.

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

Staff carry out extensive work with the children to educate them about known risks and possible risks in the wider community. This has had a positive impact in reducing risks for the children, meaning they are safer. Children accept staff guidance and support. The children are instrumental in creating strategies for staff to use to de-escalate situations.

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

When children go missing from home, staff put all their efforts into locating them and preventing such incidents occurring again. Staff have good knowledge of safety protocols and always follow them. Staff are consistent in their approaches to supporting the children. This has had a positive impact on the reduction of challenging behaviours.

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

Positive relationships between staff and the children, based on trust and respect, mean staff are effective in supporting children and de-escalating incidents without the use of physical restraint.

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

The manager follows up any safeguarding concerns and allegations in an exceptional manner. Safety actions are implemented without delay and the required professionals are informed and consulted. The manager has positive links with a range of professionals, including the police. The manager has regular meetings with police, which creates an additional layer of safeguarding for the children.

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

The manager is instrumental in seeking information about new children who move into the home. The information received about the children is clearly recorded in detailed risk assessments that provide strategies for staff to support the children. Furthermore, transition plans are helpful and allow children to feel welcomed and settled in the home.

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

One child has been away from the home for some time due to a specific need. However, staff have worked relentlessly to support their needs when living in the home and continue to support them while away from the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works proactively with external professionals and various agencies. She escalates her concerns and appropriately challenges others when the children’s needs are not being met. Therefore, children’s views are advocated for and escalated when needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback about the manager from external professionals and staff at the home is very positive. The manager is well respected. Staff said she is supportive and works hard to help them and the children. Inspection report for children's home: SC040642 5 The manager uses various tools to monitor the children’s records and their progress. The quality of the manager’s oversight is good, and there is learning and reflection with staff and the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of staff’s strengths and weakness. There are clear development plans for staff, to support their continued development. Regular supervisions allow space for staff to reflect and develop.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is well staffed. Occasionally, agency staff are used. These staff are known to the children, ensuring consistent care. All staff have completed the home’s required mandatory training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and leaders have not demonstrated sufficient assessment or review of the need to lock the kitchen door at night. This has the potential to unnecessarily restrict the children from accessing the kitchen. Inspection report for children's home: SC040642 6

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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

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 21 (b)(c)(ii)(iii)) 7 October 2024

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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: SC040642 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Surrey County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Surrey County Council, Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking GU22 7QQ

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Inspector

Sonata Brisley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC040642 8 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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