Children's Home run by Portsmouth City Council in Portsmouth

Inspection report for children's home: 1239948 1 Registered provider: Portsmouth City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to three children who may have social, emotional and behavioural support needs. At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 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 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1239948 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2023 Full Outstanding 07/06/2022 Full Good 20/04/2022 Full Inadequate 22/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1239948 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, in May 2023, one child has left the home and two children have moved in. Another child has lived at the home for three years. Children live in a welcoming, well-furnished home. Staff help them to choose decor for their bedrooms which reflects their interests. Each child’s personal space reflects their individual needs and self-expression. One child has pet fish, and staff encourage the child to take responsibility for looking after them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress because they are looked after by well-trained, dedicated staff who are attuned to their needs. Staff have built positive relationships with the children. The children identify staff as adults they trust and would approach with any worries or concerns. As a result, the children trust staff, feel safe and are happy living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff ensure that children are consistently listened to, and their views are valued. Children’s meetings provide a space for children to discuss any changes in the home that they would like, and to choose meals and activities. After agreement with the manager, staff give feedback to children individually about what will be implemented from the children’s meetings. This ensures children feel consulted and respected, and that everyone is aware of what the children want.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide variety of activities. Staff promote their hobbies and interests. Children are supported to attend their regular clubs and have built friendships with other children. Photos around the home show children’s experiences and photo books help provide them with lasting memories. Children benefit from new opportunities and experiences such as trips abroad, going by plane, taking part in charity runs and enjoying the use of a beach hut over the summer.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff fully understand the therapeutic model that is at the centre of the home’s ethos. There has been significant investment in this. All staff receive good-quality recognised training in the model, which is underpinned by reflective supervision and team meetings. Consequently, the therapeutic model is deeply embedded in practice. This therapeutic approach has helped new children settle well in the home. One partner professional said they can see positive changes in a child as a result of this approach. ‘If they [the child] will succeed anywhere, it will be here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote the children’s health and well-being. All children are registered with a doctor, dentist and optician. Staff support the children to attend appointments. One child has received private medical treatment on two occasions, when staying on the general waiting list would have been detrimental to their well-being. Inspection report for children's home: 1239948 4

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

Any complaints and allegations are responded to promptly. The manager has taken appropriate action to ensure that all concerns are investigated and reported to the correct authorities. Children are kept at the centre of the process and are supported well by the staff. Children are provided with an outcome to any concerns they raise. This reassures them that staff genuinely care for them and that they will listen to, and act on, any concerns.

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

When children go missing from home, staff act to ensure their safe return. Staff diligently follow the agreed protocols and work well with the local police. Staff maintain detailed records of the event and actions that they take. They carry out work with the child afterwards, to try to prevent recurrence. Consequently, staff keep children as safe as possible when they go missing from home.

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

Staff use the therapeutic approach to try to understand why children present with particular behaviours, and are supportive in their responses. They help the children reflect on situations and how they could better manage difficult situations and emotions in the future.

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

Staff are aware of known risks to children and respond quickly and appropriately when children are at risk. Restrictions to children’s freedom of movement, such as locking the front door or using physical restraint, are used as a last resort. These measures are used rarely. However, the manager has not always maintained effective oversight to ensure that these incidents are well recorded, that children’s plans are clear on when such measures can be used or that staff and children’s feelings are explored. The home’s review of premises has not been reviewed and updated to reflect emerging risks for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager maintains effective monitoring and oversight. They have a well- rounded view of the progress children are making and the quality of care the children receive from staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team has carefully thought about children’s presenting needs before making decisions about who should live in the home. Consequently, staff are able to meet the children’s needs well. The children are well suited to each other and generally settled. The planning and support children are offered when they move into, or leave, the home is good.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are provided with a wide range of relevant training which ensures that they continue to meet children’s needs well. When there are emerging risks for children, the registered manager ensures staff receive additional training to best manage these risks. Inspection report for children's home: 1239948 5 Consequently, children receive good-quality care from knowledgeable and well-informed staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is currently also managing another home. The registered manager and senior leaders have ensured that the dual management of both homes is not negatively impacting on this home. The manager endeavours to be in this home each day and remains available to staff for advice and guidance. Senior staff feel empowered by the new levels of responsibility they have been given due to the manager’s dual role. They speak positively of how this opportunity informs their own professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The morale in the staff team is positive and all staff speak highly of the support they receive from their colleagues and managers. Staff receive regular reflective supervision, and this provides a strong foundation to ensure the needs of children are met to a high standard. Inspection report for children's home: 1239948 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

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h)) 31 January 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure an annual review of the home’s location is carried out to identify any risks and opportunities presented by the location, and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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: 1239948 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Portsmouth City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Portsmouth City Council Head of Children and Young People’s Services, Civic Offices, Portsmouth PO1 2EA

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Inspector

Louise Webling, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1239948 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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