Children's Home run by Solent Child Care Limited in Dorset

Inspection report for children’s home: 2740453 1 Registered provider: Solent Child Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider and offers care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. One child had moved on to foster care two weeks before the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

The term ‘home adults’ is used throughout this report as an alternative to ‘staff’ or ‘carers’, as this is the preference of the organisation and the children 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 outstanding

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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: 2740453 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/03/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2740453 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Time was spent with the child, who will shortly be moving on to supported accommodation. The child spoke positively about the relationships they have with home adults and is excited about the next steps in their life. Another child, who lived in the home until recently, was spoken to over the telephone. They also spoke of having great relationships with the home adults, who provided their care for several years. The child spoke fondly of their time at the home and said that they are settling in well in their new foster home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children living in the home make good progress with their education. Home adults encourage children to achieve in education, and they place emphasis on the importance of this in shaping their future. The team has developed strong working relationships with other professionals, and feedback from them is positive. These close working relationships have helped to support the children’s progress and achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Home adults provide care that is based on children’s individual needs and wishes. Home adults consider children’s views in respect of their future, and they are involved in important decision-making, such as decisions around moving on to foster care. The team also has a good understanding of the influence that children’s previous experiences can have on them and how past trauma can impact current behaviour.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from one parent indicates that they felt well informed and involved with the care of their child in the home. Home adults support and facilitate family time for children, and children are listened to if they wish to make changes to when they see their family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Home adults have done extensive work with one child to support them to make better choices. While this has not been successful, the team has remained persistent in offering advice, guidance and a supportive environment for the child.

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

Home adults understand any safeguarding concerns in relation to the children and are confident in having difficult conversations with them. Home adults have a growing understanding of how the online world can negatively impact children’s safety.

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

The registered manager has identified that additional learning is required around how children use online platforms. Further development is needed in the team around this area as new children are welcomed into the home.

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

The registered manager has oversight of risks and concerns in relation to the children, and home adults understand how to escalate concerns and the correct channels to do so. The registered manager provides oversight over records; however, this could be more Inspection report for children’s home: 2740453 4 robust at times. The provider responds in a timely manner to any safeguarding concerns and has a good understanding of the potential risks for young people in the local area.

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

Records do not always reflect children’s most current risks and needs. While this does not impact the practice of home adult currently, it is important that the documentation fully reflects the existing risks for children.

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

Home adults use a therapeutic approach to managing behaviour, and this has supported both children to learn to manage their emotions and begin to identify their own methods of calming. Home adults provide clear boundaries, and humour is used effectively and appropriately to de-escalate situations. The children respond well to this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is proactive, ambitious and dedicated to the children living in the home. They strive for the best outcomes and have effective professional working relationships with external stakeholders. For example, they work diligently with social workers to put together plans for children’s future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is experienced in working with young people who have experienced trauma and understands the positive impact that home adults can have on supporting their progress. Home adults have developed high expectations for children due to observing the registered manager leading by example.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has created an environment that focuses on home adults’ development and enhancing the learning of the team. When new adults join, they receive an extensive induction and support from the manager. The training that is provided helps the team to meet children’s needs, and the manager is frequently looking for additional resources to support practice. The responsible individual provides regular quality assurance, which further supports the development of practice in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers accurately understand the strengths of the home and the adults who work there. They can also identify areas for development and have plans in place to enhance practice, such as developing a wider understanding around children’s social media use.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager provides effective challenge to external agencies when responses are not effective and confidently advocates on behalf of the children in the home. This has supported the children to see that the adults truly care for them and their future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers ensure that children’s views are considered in all aspects of their lives. They involve children in any decisions that are made about their care. Overall, the leadership and management of the home are inspiring and support real change for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740453 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that home adults make informed professional judgements in relation to risk and discuss decisions with the child’s placing authority. Written information about risks should be regularly updated. In particular, if a risk has changed, the provider should ensure that this is communicated with the child’s placing authority in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7)

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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: 2740453 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solent Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Blackwood Futcher & Co, 9 St Georges Yard, Farnham GU9 7LW

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Inspector

Helen Cushnie, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2740453 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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