Children's home run by New Forest Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1258343 1 Registered provider: New Forest Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private organisation that operates several registered children’s homes. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties and/or learning difficulties. 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 registered with Ofsted in March 2021.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1258343 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/08/2023 Full Good 07/02/2023 Full Good 27/07/2021 Full Good 02/10/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1258343 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have developed positive and warm relationships with staff, who are attentive to their individual needs, wishes and feelings. Planned conversations and daily discussions at the dinner table encourage the children to be active participants in decisions, and they provide opportunities for sharing thoughts and feelings. This helps to nurture trusting relationships while thoughtfully addressing difficult topics. As a result, children are thriving and have made progress in all areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff work closely with children to help them to get along well and show empathy and care towards each other. Staff are alert to any developing friction and quickly act to help children to resolve any issues. The positive relationships between children and staff help children feel emotionally safe and secure. Consequently, the children describe a home where they feel cared for and safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are dedicated and show genuine feelings of care, striving for the best possible opportunities and outcomes for children. They have developed their understanding of children’s unique identities, lived experiences and family stories, which are woven throughout their care planning documents and day-to-day care. You get a real sense of the child from their records, which give helpful guidance on how best to support them. This supports the inclusive culture of this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of education. They work with a range of professionals to ensure that children receive good-quality educational support. Flexible programmes are in place for some children who are unable to manage a whole school day. Because of this, children understand the value that staff put on their learning and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported with activities and interests outside of the home that help them to develop as individuals. For example, the children enjoy gymnastics, tennis and musical theatre lessons. As well as being fun activities, these provide opportunities for children to build relationships outside of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children have time with their families regardless of the distance. This support is creative and includes telephone calls and time with brothers and sisters, parents and significant others and includes people visiting the home. One family member said that support for family time is ‘amazing.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home does not appear as warm and welcoming as the care and support the children receive. Children’s bedrooms, bathrooms and other areas are not maintained in good condition regarding cleanliness and repair. This does not promote the children’s sense of well-being in their environment. During the inspection, some action was taken to improve some areas. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258343 4

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

The manager and staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and ensure that they work together with other professionals when required. Incidents are well managed, and necessary actions are taken to safeguard children effectively.

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

When concerns arise, staff know what to do and take appropriate action to keep children safe and ensure that children are listened to. Records are comprehensive and evidence close working relationships with families, social workers and mental health professionals. There is clear evidence of appropriate professional challenge from managers when responses have not been agreeable.

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

Staff use discussions and worksheets on various subjects with children to help them learn how keep themselves safe, including online.

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

Individual risk assessments are in place for each child, and measures are in place to reduce risks. Staff review these risk assessments regularly to ensure that they remain current. Staff encourage children to give their views on their risk assessments as appropriate. Sensors on each child’s bedroom door are in place as a safeguarding measure and they are activated for no longer than required.

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

Staff consistently use de-escalation to support children; each child has a well-defined positive behaviour support plan. As a result, staff understand how to manage challenging behaviours and meet the children’s needs effectively.

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

When physical intervention is used, it is a last resort. Records are comprehensive, and staff demonstrate reflection and curiosity. Reflective conversations with children after incidents are effective, and they help explore their emotions, find different ways to communicate their feelings, increase their feeling of safety and help repair relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager models an open, transparent and learning culture, and he is well supported by the responsible individual. As a result, staff feel able to challenge each other and report any practice concerns openly and professionally. This helps to keep children safe and ensures that learning is quickly identified and acted on. Staff have a genuine commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children and supporting them to flourish.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is dedicated to children being listened to and that they have their voices, wishes and feelings heard. He makes himself available to the children, and they know that they can speak to him at any time. The positive relationships he has built with the children mean that he knows them well and understands their progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258343 5 The manager recognises the opportunity to learn and adapt following any incidents of concern. He reviews all reports and, if needed, will sensitively challenge staff. The manager ensures that any learning is shared and discussed with the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of the induction, training and support they receive. This enables them to be confident and effective in their roles and meet the individual needs of children. Staff debrief at the end of each day and receive regular supervision sessions. They say that they can discuss any concerns or worries with managers at any time. One staff member said, ‘I believe we have created a nurturing environment that positively impacts the lives of the children who live here.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training in various areas, including specific training to support the children living at the home. Their knowledge is regularly updated through discussions in team meetings and supervision, allowing them to apply this knowledge effectively to their daily practice. This ensures that children are consistently cared for by experienced and well-informed staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has built close partnerships with families and other professionals. He recognises the importance of working in partnership with families, therapists and health, education and social care professionals to meet children’s needs. Professionals and families report good relationships with the staff and feel that they communicate with them regularly and effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff’s feedback is unanimously positive. They feel well supported and appreciate the manager and responsible individuals’ presence and input. They receive regular supervision focused on their welfare and development. This has helped to create a strong sense of teamwork. A staff member said, ‘I have never been in a job before where I have experienced such support.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 1258343 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home maintains a clean and well-kept environment that supports children’s physical, mental and emotional health. In particular, children’s bedrooms and bathrooms should be kept to a good standard of hygiene, and repair and decoration work should be completed in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 33 paragraph 7.3)

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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: 1258343 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Forest Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: West Shore House, West Street, Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 6AA

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Inspectors

Sharron Dormand, Social Care Inspector Becky Paradise, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1258343 8 regulates 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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