Children's home run by Next Step Independence Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2730755 1 Registered provider: Next Step Independence

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered in April 2023 to provide care for one child. One child was living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager who is undertaking a relevant qualification.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 19 September 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2730755 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/09/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2730755 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child living at this home was seen and spoken to as part of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The skilled and empathetic staff team has worked persistently and creatively to establish strong and trusting relationships with the child. These relationships have helped the child make exceptional progress from a difficult starting point.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The high-quality, nurturing care provided by the committed staff team enabled the child to overcome some difficult challenges. This progress is notable and the child is now spending time outside of their room every day. They have also been taking part in activities outside of the home, including bike rides and go karting.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff know the child well and have a strong understanding of their individual and specific needs. They are aspirational for the child and speak proudly and warmly about the progress that they have made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child is now more comfortable and confident when meeting new people. For example, over the past six months, they have been able to meet with different professionals and directly share their views, which was not previously possible for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff and manager have worked effectively and flexibly with educational professionals to better understand and remove barriers preventing the child from engaging in education. The child is now consistently meeting with tutors at the home and has obtained formal qualifications in mathematics and English.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child has previously not received effective support around their health. Staff have regularly spoken to the child about their health and the importance of different appointments and check-ups. Staff have worked tirelessly with health professionals to ensure the child’s health needs are met in a flexible way that takes the complexity of their overall needs into account. As a result, the child is now accessing the health services they require.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home environment is warm and welcoming. The child has recently chosen to change bedrooms. Staff have supported them to choose colours and purchase decorations and furnishings in line with their interests. At the time of the inspection, work on the child’s new bedroom was ongoing.

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

No safeguarding incidents have happened at this home. The strong relationships that staff have built with the child are fundamental to keeping them safe. Inspection report for children's home: 2730755 4 The child said that they feel safe and happy living at the home and that staff help and encourage them. They also said that they feel able to speak to the adults in the home about any worries they have if needed.

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

Staff speak to the child regularly about keeping safe online and in the community. The child now has use of their own mobile phone with online access. Age-appropriate filters, checks and safeguards are in place, and the child is managing this well.

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

Staff and managers benefit from regular consultation with a psychologist. This helps staff to better understand the child’s needs and how best to support them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has established a clear and child-focused culture and ethos in the home and leads by example. Staff enjoy working at this home, and the staff team is largely settled and stable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Communication and working effectively with external professionals are a strength of this home. Professionals and a parent spoken to were positive about the communication from the manager and the quality of care provided to the child by the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear understanding of the staff team’s strengths and areas for development. Staff receive appropriate training tailored to the needs of the child living at the home. Team meetings take place regularly and are used to share information, reflect on practice and reinforce expectations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager maintains good oversight of the home and of the child’s progress using effective monitoring systems. When there are concerns about staff practice, these are identified and addressed promptly, with additional support and training for staff being put in place if needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Practice is underpinned by detailed child focused written plans. However, in some instances, guidance to staff on how best to support the child in these documents is not up to date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The skills and experience of the staff team and strong culture established by the manager mean that this has not had any observable impact on the care provided to the child at present. However, the manager acknowledges that there is a need for records to be clearer to ensure the child continues to receive consistent care in the longer term.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager had until recently been providing support and oversight to another home in the same company. The manager has identified that his absence from this home could impact on the staff and the child, and he has now made the decision to step back from this second role. Inspection report for children's home: 2730755 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that care and support plans contain up-to-date information and clear guidance to staff on how best to support children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)  The registered person should ensure that any agreed changes to decor and storage in children’s bedrooms are completed promptly. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.19)

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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: 2730755 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: 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 Inspection report for children's home: 2730755 7 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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