Children's home run by Purple Oak Support

Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 1 Registered provider: Purple Oak Support

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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 provides overnight short breaks for up to six children and young people with additional and sometimes complex needs aged between three and 19 years old. There was one child receiving short breaks at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 12 February 2019.

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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 outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/03/2024 Full Good 07/11/2022 Full Good 01/11/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 3

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outstanding

Children have fun and enjoy new experiences during their stays at the home. The home is welcoming, spacious, vibrant and child-centred throughout. Children benefit from good-quality accommodation that has ample room for communal living.

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outstanding

Staff have good knowledge of individual children’s needs, their likes and dislikes, and their routines; this ensures that plans work smoothly for each child’s stay. Staff interact with the children with warmth and compassion, and this helps children to feel safe, comfortable and secure. Staff talk proudly and fondly about the children.

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outstanding

Children who are new to the home are welcomed sensitively, following meticulous and child-centred planning. Tea visits are planned before children stay overnight, and careful thought is given to considering which children will be staying at any given time. This is a significant strength of the home and ensures that children fully enjoy their stays.

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outstanding

The consistent and exceptional care that children receive is critical to their experiences, progress, and development. This is demonstrated through a wide range of additional experiences, including interaction with peers, opportunities to develop their independence skills and being able to participate in local trips. Consequently, children develop confidence in their social and independence skills. They are encouraged to enjoy a range of activities, such as arts and crafts, a well-equipped sensory room and trips to the parks.

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outstanding

Nurturing care from a committed team of core staff leads to children feeling relaxed and confident in their environment. Children’s achievements and progress, however small, are celebrated and beautifully captured in photo books and a ‘Wow ladder’ displayed in the dining room for everyone to see. This helps children to feel positive about themselves and enhances their self-esteem.

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outstanding

Staff have a sound understanding of the children’s communication methods and their preferences. Children use communication aids to have their voices heard and to make choices. For example, children complete feedback forms following their stays, and have regular ‘chats’ with staff to choose their favourite foods and activities for their next visit.

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outstanding

Children’s families are appreciative of the care their children receive when they stay at the home, describing it as ‘amazing’. One parent said, ‘Staff are fantastic, and what they do is tremendous.’ Social workers are equally positive about the quality of care provided. One social worker said, ‘We couldn’t have had the positive outcome for [the child] without the home supporting them.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 4

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outstanding

Children’s actions, demeanour and confidence around staff show that they feel safe in the home. Staff are acutely aware of all of the children’s needs and vulnerabilities, ensuring that they keep them safe in the home and in the community.

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outstanding

Staff help children to regulate their behaviour by using known calming or self- soothing techniques. Staff promote positive behaviour with children through providing children with positive choices. Consequently, incidents involving children’s behaviour are rare. The staff understand and follow procedures for identifying and responding to concerns about the safety of children.

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outstanding

Staff understand their responsibilities to safeguard children and how to report concerns. They receive training on safeguarding and child protection. This is further enhanced by discussions with staff to ensure that their competency in relation to all safeguarding matters is assessed. Leaders and managers have good links with local authorities, designated safeguarding officers and other relevant safeguarding agencies.

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outstanding

Children’s health is promoted, and staff work well with families and professionals to support children to manage their own health needs. This means that children are given opportunities to develop their independence and can live more fulfilled lives. There is an effective process for recording and administering medication. A clear recording and audit system has helped to streamline the procedures. This also adds an additional layer of quality assurance to the process.

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outstanding

Leaders and managers recruit new staff safely. Staff are thoroughly vetted and assessed before any appointment is confirmed. Health and safety systems are robust. This means that children stay in a safe environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is dedicated to her role. She is respected by all who work with her. She displays unwavering passion for providing the best possible care for children and this influences the staff in the home. Staff are proud of their contribution towards helping children to thrive and flourish when they stay at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers know the strengths and weaknesses of the home exceptionally well. They have an effective development plan that identifies relevant actions to further improve the quality of care provided to children. Children are consistently cared for in line with the home’s ethos and statement of purpose. Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 5 Highly effective planning arrangements enable staff to be fully informed and to prepare each child well for their short break. For example, families are contacted by staff from the home before the children have their stays, to ensure that all information is relevant and up-to-date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The routines for children are consistently in place to help to ensure that children make progress. The manager and staff place a high value on their working relationships with other professionals. There is a strong commitment and an aspirational approach to caring for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff report that they are supported well by the manager. They say that they find the registered manager available and approachable. They are provided with regular supportive supervision, and team meetings are used creatively to allow reflection on practice and on understanding children’s needs. There is a clear process for supporting and reviewing progress for new staff. The registered manager understands the importance of staff well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are trained effectively to fulfil their roles. This includes training that is specific to the needs of the children using the service. Training needs for staff are understood by leaders and managers, and specific training has been carried out to meet some of the more individual needs of children. This includes training in diabetes, stoma care and enteral feeding.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The independent person provides a good level of external scrutiny and makes helpful suggestions regarding practice development. This is enhanced by the support of the responsible individual. Leaders and managers are forward-thinking and there are opportunities to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for supporting the needs of all children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff work exceptionally well together as a team and feel that they all support each other extremely well. Staff have created a loving environment, in which they demonstrate their care for the children and their pride in each child’s achievements. One member of staff said, ‘I am constantly adapting and developing my skills and knowledge to be able to provide the best quality of care and opportunities for the children who access the home. As a result of that, I get to see the children and staff thrive.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are no requirements or recommendations as a result of this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 6

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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: 2504775 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Wellington Centre, 3 Winchester Road, Andover SP10 2EG

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Inspector

Hannah Cox, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 8 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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