Children's Home run by Empower Residentials Limited in Somerset

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2779972 1 Registered provider: Empower Residentials Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in April 2024 and provides care for up to three children.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

A new and experienced manager has been in post since October 2024 and is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 28 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 28 January 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2779972 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The child who was living in the home at the time of the last inspection has since moved out.

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Findings from the inspection

Before the appointment of the current manager, the home was overseen by the responsible individual. The responsible individual has worked to address the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Two children have moved into the home since the previous inspection. Before they moved in, their needs were considered alongside the skills and experience of the staff team. Children’s support plans are of good quality and contain clear and up-to- date guidance for staff on how best to support the children. The children said that they enjoy living at the home and feel safe and happy.

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Findings from the inspection

When children move on from the home, managers and staff attempt to give them a positive ending to their time here. However, due to the short notice of one child’s move, a well-planned ending was not possible.

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Findings from the inspection

When children have gone missing from home, staff have responded appropriately by following them and reporting them as missing. Management oversight following incidents is thorough and there is focus on reflection on staff practice. Children are welcomed back by nurturing staff who have follow-up conversations with the children about their feelings and emotions.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff respond calmly to children’s distress and use a variety of de-escalation techniques to support their feelings and emotions. There is clear and timely management oversight of incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the previous inspection, systems for management oversight have been reviewed and strengthened, and recent records show some improvement in this area.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff say that morale has improved and feel well supported by visible and approachable managers. Team meetings and supervision sessions take place regularly. The interim manager uses these opportunities to monitor staff’s welfare, share updates and information with staff and reflect on practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Parents and professionals say that the children are happy and safe, and that staff are responsive to any concerns. The responsible individual acknowledges that the children are making good progress and wants to ensure consistent care and positive outcomes. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2779972 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2779972 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are encouraged by staff to see the home’s records as ‘living documents’ and supported to view and contribute to the records in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. In particular, the registered person should promote recording which uses child-focused language. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.19) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2779972 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Empower Residentials Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2, Prockters Farm, West Monkton, Taunton, Somerset TA2 8QN

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Inspector

Stacey Pellow, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2779972 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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