Children's Home run by Central and Southern Homes Limited in Devon

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611536 1 Registered provider: Central and Southern Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s manager has been registered with Ofsted since April 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home. They have lived in the home since the last full inspection.

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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: 2611536 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

Staff have positive and secure relationships with children. They use humour and fun to support children and to maintain boundaries. Staff have improved confidence in managing incidents, although this remains an area of development.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff meet the educational needs of some of the children, but for one child their educational needs are yet to be met. The manager appropriately challenges external agencies in respect of this. Staff are developing clearer plans for when children are not in school, but this not yet embedded into practice. Staff advocate for the children when required.

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Findings from the inspection

The provider has made significant improvements to the decoration and repairs within the home, as well as in the garden. The environment now has a more homely and child-friendly feel. Children now have space to safely play and spend time outside.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the risks in relation to the children, and when concerns have been raised, they have acted appropriately to address these, and safeguarding measures have been put in place.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are developing their confidence in managing challenging situations and unsafe behaviour. Overall, there has been a decrease in physical interventions. Some physical interventions which take place are lengthy and not always effective in de- escalating incidents. Recording of incidents varies in quality and clarity.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children’s emotional well-being, and they are encouraged to share how they are feeling. When there have been incidents, important reparative work has been completed after them.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have not gone missing from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager utilises the support from senior managers to assist in monitoring the improvements in the home, and there is a clear plan in place to address any shortfalls.

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Findings from the inspection

When there have been concerns, the manager has addressed these swiftly. Management oversight is present in records, although this varies in detail and is not always completely in a timely manner.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have received appropriate training to help them to widen their learning and note that they feel better equipped to do their roles due to this. The home is staffed appropriately and there are no concerns in respect of vacancies. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611536 3 The provider has met two out of three requirements and one out of three recommendations. Those unmet requirements and recommendations will be restated.. There are no additional requirements or recommendations. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611536 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/08/2024 Full Good 25/04/2023 Full Good 15/11/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611536 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff have the skill and confidence to be able to de-escalate incidents effectively. 1 June2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording, particularly in relation to safeguarding incidents. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure children receive structured support when they are out of education, and that staff plan for a swift return. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611536 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Central and Southern Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pitmaston House, Malvern Road, Worcester WR2 4LL

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Inspector

Helen Cushnie, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611536 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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