Children's Home run by Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited in Devon

Inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 1 SC463431 Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

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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 good

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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: 14 February 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/02/2024 Full Outstanding 21/03/2023 Full Outstanding 25/05/2021 Full Outstanding 29/10/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spoke to the child who lives in the home during the inspection. The child told the inspector that all the staff are lovely. The child thinks they all have a great sense of humour, which makes them good at looking after them. The child described their home as ‘comfortable’ and ‘calm’. They like that there are no loud wallpapers or colours. The child’s favourite place in their home is their bedroom. They have a say in how every part of the home is decorated, which makes it feel like their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have good relationships with the child. They have worked hard to create trust. All the staff speak about the child with love and affection. The staff want the child to do well and achieve in all areas of their live.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys playing football with staff. The staff have supported them to volunteer as a marshal and to take part in a local park run. The child will be starting a football refereeing course in the new year. The staff have arranged this and secured funding from a charity for it. The child likes to help with dinner and spend time with the team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making steady educational progress. Their attendance at school is 100%. School staff speak highly of the relationship they have with the staff at the home and how well they work together. A learning mentor has been assigned to the child to provide additional support to break down any barriers the child may face to their learning. Staff need to ensure that they maintain this effective liaison throughout the child’s education journey to support the child’s continued progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have not secured a bank account for the child after this was requested. The child has not been supported effectively to learn how to be financially independent as part of their overall plan for independence.

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

The child feels safe in the home. They told the inspector that they can speak to any members of staff about any worries they may have. There have been no missing-from- home episodes, no incidents of restraint and no safeguarding concerns for the child. Should any occur, plans are in place to support staff to know how to keep the child safe. The language used in one plan is not child-centred or clear.

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

Positive relationships are maintained with all external professionals to support and protect the child. Regular communication allows all professionals working with the child to understand their behaviour.

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

The child has been supported to have more free time in the community with their friends. They are encouraged to feel confident that the staff are close by and will keep them safe. As time in the community has increased, the child’s confidence and their Inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 4 circle of friends have also grown. The staff regularly check that the child feels safe. The child can tell staff if they feel overwhelmed and want to come home early.

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

Staff have allowed conversations about matters that may place the child at risk to be led by the child. While this approach is child-focused to an extent, it has led to a lack of proactive work around online safety and physical development in line with the child’s age and understanding. The lack of ongoing work to develop and enhance the child’s knowledge of risk has left them vulnerable without the knowledge on how to protect themselves from harm as they grow.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is staffed by an experienced and competent team. The staff feel well managed and understand what they need to do and why. The staff value one another and have all voiced a common goal of enhancing the child’s life and securing positive outcomes for their future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff know the child comes first and the child’s views on their care and the home are important. The manager monitors the practice provided so that there is consistency of care, providing stability for the child. Case records about the child clearly reflect their everyday life, achievements and progress in line with their plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive monthly supervision. It is clear from the records that the manager values the staff and is keen to develop their professional skills, and the child’s needs are also discussed. Supervision lacks any reflection on positive or challenging work and there is no focus on safeguarding. There are no ongoing discussions about what risk or challenges the child may face in the future There is no discussion on contextual safeguarding concerns to further staff’s knowledge and curiosity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings have a focus on actions for the home, staff development and the child. At times, the child is also involved in the meetings. The team benefits from reflective supervision with an internal clinical lead to enhance the care provided the child. Safeguarding and themes around relevant trends for children are not included. Inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they secure the child a bank account. In particular, the child should be supported to develop their resilience and skills to cope financially without the home’s support. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27)  The registered person should ensure that the child is offered ongoing support, advice and guidance to supplement that provided by school through personal, social and health education. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.18)  The registered person should ensure that the child is provided with continual guidance, support and knowledge about how to remain safe when using online gaming platforms and social media, now and for their future protection. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph

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Recommendations

9.9)  The registered person should ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge to have a broad and informed understanding of safeguarding. Staff should be given time to reflect on the impact of their knowledge to support them to identify signs of risk, be alert to the signs of risk and be engaged in a safeguarding culture. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraphs 9.10, 9.12 and 9.14)  The registered person should ensure that the language used in the child’s plans is clear, non-stigmatising, specific to the child and easy for the child to understand. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: SC463431 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Hannah Spencer-Townesend, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 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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