Children's home run by Central and Southern Homes Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2696711 1 Registered provider: Central & Southern Homes Ltd

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Full inspection 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 provider. It provides care for one child who may experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account good

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Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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Overall experiences and progress of

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

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Overall experiences and progress of

Date of last inspection: 15 January 2024

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Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2696711 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/01/2024 Full Good 23/11/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2696711 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have invested in building supportive and trusting relationships with the child who currently lives in the home. Before moving in, the team made efforts to establish good relationships with the child and their parents. This helped to make the moving-in process smoother. The child spoke to the inspector about liking the staff here. They would rate the home ‘7.5 out of 10’. Staff have been able to have difficult conversations with the child because of the relationships they have made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported by staff to attend education and is making progress. Staff complete a daily education tracker. This helps the team to see the child’s attendance alongside any issues. To date, the child’s attendance is excellent. Education providers have commented on the positive changes they have seen in the child and the progress they have made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have supported the child effectively to build friendships and maintain these. This was something that the child previously found difficult. The child often chooses to spend their spare time with friends. They have had fun-filled days going to local attractions and events. However, there is little planning around this that shows the child what is on offer and what else they could be doing. The child is not in education on one day of the week and there is a lack of planning for these days.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a modern, light and cosy feel. Pictures and soft furnishings make it more relaxed but there is very little to show that the child lives here. Photo frames are in place but are empty. Staff were quick to make changes before the child moved in when they said they wanted their bedroom to be different. Fire extinguishers were moved to a more discreet location during the inspection when pointed out. This helped to create a more homely feel.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Conversations about sexual health take place, which supports the child’s development. However, support regarding dental hygiene is limited and a robust plan around how to support the child with this is lacking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Support to ensure nutritious home-cooked meals is limited. Fast food, nuggets and takeaways are on offer, which limits the child’s access to a healthy and balanced diet. Staff have researched the importance of balanced and nutritious food but have not yet applied that knowledge to support the child.

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

The positive relationships the staff have built with the child help to provide a nurturing environment for them. There have been no serious incidents since the child moved in, which is significant progress. This shows that the child feels safe here. There have been a few occasions when difficulties have arisen. These have been managed well. The child Inspection report for children’s home: 2696711 4 has been clear about their need to have space when these situations occur, and the team knows how to respond. This prevents the situation escalating.

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

Risks are understood well by the team. Staff are assisted by having clear plans which help them to understand the child’s needs well. Reports and children’s documents are generally well written and clear. At times, records are written as if the child has said these words when it is an interpretation of what they have said. This may be confusing and is not accurate.

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

There has been one incident of restraint since the last inspection. This was proportionate and appropriate to ensure the child’s safety. Conversations took place with the child and adults involved. This allowed for reflection and learning to take place.

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

This child is supported to take some age-appropriate risks. For example, there have been increases in the time they spend with friends and in using their mobile phone. However, concerns about accessing sharp objects were identified before the child moved in but no plan was made as to how to reintroduce household utensils safely. This is not supporting the child to develop necessary skills of independence. This was addressed by the manager at the inspection with a clear plan being made.

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

Processes for medication are clear. Medication is stored appropriately and safely. All staff have had medication training and are able to support the child with this.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted, and the adults use effective ways to manage tricky situations. The staff are also proactive at involving the child’s parents in supporting the child. They ask the parents’ views on how best to support their child. This helps the child to see the staff and their parents working together.

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

Safer recruitment processes are in place. This ensures managers and leaders can make suitable decisions about the adults who are supporting the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are committed to the child living in the home. They like working here and have positive relationships with each other. They speak positively about leaders and managers. Staff say that they receive the support that they need to care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has robust systems in place for monitoring and reviewing care. They identify and track patterns in all areas of the child’s life from educational attendance to serious incidents. The manager is reflective, able to take feedback on board and learns from incidents. The manager is quick to make changes where they are needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff completed general training prior to the child arriving, which has increased their ability to meet the child’s needs. However, consideration was not given to targeted or specialised training which could have enhanced those skills. Inspection report for children’s home: 2696711 5 The manager works closely with other professionals and parents to ensure positive outcomes for the child. Professionals and parents commented on how the manager communicates with them regularly, always attends meetings for the child and responds quickly to ensure the child’s needs are met. Inspection report for children’s home: 2696711 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff encourage children to take a proactive role in looking after their health and well-being. In particular, children should be encouraged and supported to brush their teeth daily and when this is not happening, a plan to support the child should be in place. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.10)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. In particular, carefully consider the appropriateness of recording the child’s information using first-person narrative when not using the child’s actual words. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that children are offered a wide range of

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Recommendations

activities both inside and outside of the home (where appropriate) and are encouraged to participate in those activities. In particular, children need to be made aware of the activities on offer so that they can choose how to spend their free time. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.5)

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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: 2696711 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Central & Southern Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pitmaston House, Malvern Road, Worcester WR2 4LL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Matthew Dangerfield

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Inspector:

Nickie Doney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2696711 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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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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

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