Children's Home run by Semi-independent House Limited in Peterborough

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2604898 1 Registered provider: Semi-independent House Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned home provides care for up to three children with social and/or 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.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

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: 2604898 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

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out and one child has moved in. There were no children living at the home for three months in the time between children’s moves. The child spoke with the inspector. The child said that they would tell all the staff if they were feeling worried about something, and that they were happy at their new home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff provide well-planned and quality care to the child. The manager carefully considered the child’s needs and wishes before they arrived. This has ensured that the child has been able to maintain excellent attendance at their existing school and has continued to attend the same community youth group.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the importance of continuity for the child. Written plans for the child help staff to provide consistent and familiar routines. This reduces the potential for the child to experience disruption.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s educational needs are met. Staff have built an effective relationship with the child’s school. Staff attend regular education meetings with the child and make clear records about the child’s targets and progress. Since moving in, the child has started to take part in extra-curricular activities that they had previously taken a break from. This includes playing the piano and additional numeracy revision.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff encourage the child to have a healthy lifestyle. The child said that they enjoy going to the gym and ice-skating with staff regularly. Staff provide personalised rewards to encourage positive and healthy behaviours. Since arriving, the child has enjoyed a variety of new and different cultural foods on a weekly basis. Staff support the child to practise skills for adulthood, such as washing and ironing their uniform and maintaining a tidy bedroom.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s views are considered thoroughly by staff and managers. There have been no complaints since the last inspection. The child has been encouraged and supported to personalise their bedroom and offered activities related to their sporting interests. When the child asked to visit a local museum, the manager arranged this quickly and ensured that the child received a response without delay. The child said, ‘The best thing about living here is I don’t have to wait for answers to my questions.’

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Findings from the inspection

When there has been a concern about a staff member’s practice, managers have taken quick and effective action. Managers have notified the relevant agencies without delay; this ensures that the staff member’s suitability to work with children receives external scrutiny. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2604898 3 The manager has made changes to the home environment since the last inspection. This includes removing fire door and first-aid signs that detracted from its homely appearance.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has registered with Ofsted since the last inspection. She has worked hard to improve monitoring systems. The manager is now providing effective oversight and developing the quality of care and records. She is also ensuring that staff are completing the relevant qualification within appropriate timescales. One member of staff has completed the relevant qualification since the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive regular and effective supervision of their practice. The manager has developed staff practice improvement plans. These help to ensure that children’s wishes and complaints are appropriately identified, recorded and responded to. The manager has discussed her expectations about accurate record-keeping with staff during regular and well-attended staff meetings.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff say that they feel supported by the manager. The child’s social worker spoke highly of the support the child receives and said that the staff have been instrumental in ensuring the child’s stability and progress.

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Findings from the inspection

All the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been met, and no new requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2604898 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2604898 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Semi-independent House Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 51 Ploverly, Peterborough PE4 6HZ

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Inspector

Natalie Day, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2604898 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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