Children's Home run by Knightwood Oaks Residential Care Ltd in Hampshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2744118 1 Registered provider: Knightwood Oaks Residential Care Ltd

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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 two children aged eight to 18 years old with social and emotional difficulties. There were two children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2744118 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/05/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2744118 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children thrive because of the highly personalised care and nurturing relationships they share with staff who understand their needs extremely well. Children’s relationships with staff are full of emotional warmth, good humour and genuine care. These relationships have helped children make significant progress in their emotional and social well-being. One child has now developed language to describe their emotions. Another has developed their confidence and self-esteem, supporting them to make safe and appropriate friendships. This was something that was not previously possible.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy a wide range of activities and pursue their own interests with the support of staff, who are committed to them having as many positive experiences as possible. One child now attends swimming lessons, having previously feared water. Another is considering further education in fisheries management. This is a hobby discovered and nurtured by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy spending time with staff. Staff skilfully and sensitively explore children’s views, wishes and feelings. This helps children feel heard and supports them to navigate complex feelings and situations, such as starting to attend a new group or exploring their gender.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers and staff hold education and learning in high regard. They are aspirational and share a belief that all children can achieve well in life. They support children to have healthy routines around school attendance and home learning. Leaders are proactive in communicating with education colleagues and when necessary, they challenge professionals to secure adequate support. This ensures that children are well supported and understood and that their education is prioritised.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child currently attends school full time and is planning for their further education. Another child currently has no education provision. However, they have a clear and positive structure to their day. Ongoing staff support has ensured significant improvements while a suitable school place is sought. For example, the child’s reading and writing skills have improved considerably. This is significant progress and has had a profound impact on the child’s self-esteem and drive to return to school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff actively support children to spend time with their family and other people who are important to them, in line with their care plans. Leaders work well with professionals and family members to ensure that children’s wishes and feelings are considered, so time with family remains positive for the children. One parent said, ‘They always have him in their heart when we plan our activities. If it wasn’t for the registered manager, I wouldn’t see my son.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home environment is warm, comfortable and has a homely feel. Children identify it as their home. They say that they feel safe and never want to leave. There are many Inspection report for children’s home: 2744118 4 pictures of staff and children displayed throughout the home, showing various activities and memories. Photos of recent holidays are kept in beautiful memory books. There is a strong and positive sense of the children throughout the home, including their bedrooms, which are personalised to their tastes. This helps children feel valued.

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

Children feel safe and listened to. One child said, ‘Before I moved in here, my heart was broken. Now I’m happy. I’m safe. My heart is fixed.’

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

Children have confidence in their relationships with staff and share concerns freely, knowing they will be responded to robustly. Staff know the children extremely well, which enables them to support children to manage risks as they arise. These interactions are underpinned by an excellent understanding of safeguarding by staff and robust oversight from leaders. As a result, children learn ways to keep themselves safe and feel safe at home.

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

When children do show behaviours of distress, staff respond sensitively and with care. They work hard to help children express difficult feelings and de-escalate situations. Physical intervention is used as a last resort. When this is needed, there is excellent oversight by the manager and thorough follow-up conversations with children and staff. This supports learning for both children and staff. For one child, this has resulted in a significant reduction in the number and severity of incidents they experience. For another child, physical intervention is no longer required.

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

Children do not go missing from home. However, there are clear protocols in place for staff to follow should this happen.

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

Staff support children to behave positively with each other. Risks between children are well understood and managed. Protocols are regularly updated to reflect changes and give clear and relevant guidance to staff. This support helps children to enjoy more activities and time together, while also ensuring their safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by compassionate, child-focused and knowledgeable leaders. Together, they have successfully embedded a culture of positive regard and care, which urges staff to consider children’s needs before their behaviour. They are supported by a dedicated and proactive team of staff who share the vision that children can achieve well in life. As a result, children receive high-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and responsible individual work closely together and are present in the home daily. They have highly effective monitoring and quality assurance systems that provide the information they need to thoroughly scrutinise the quality of care children receive. Their presence and oversight enable them to monitor patterns and trends and respond swiftly when needed. Inspection report for children’s home: 2744118 5 Leaders actively seek children’s views through daily conversations, key-work sessions and children’s meetings. Leaders work hard to meet children’s wishes when possible. This supports children’s sense of belonging and connection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say that they are well supported by leaders and managers, who take an active interest in their well-being. They highlight the experience and ambition of leaders as being key to the positive experiences that children have and staff’s commitment to their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular high-quality supervision, performance development reviews and training that help them to meet the needs of the children. Leaders, managers and staff also attend regular team meetings that further develop their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this this inspection.

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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: 2744118 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Knightwood Oaks Residential Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 31-33 Commercial Road, Poole BH14 0HU

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Inspector

Becky Paradise, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2744118 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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