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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2717528 1 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Registered provider: Central and Southern Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides long-term care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children live in the home and were present during the inspection. No children have moved in or out since the full inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home currently has no registered manager. The previous registered manager has stepped down to deputy manager.

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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: 2717528 2 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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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 full inspection, several staff have left the home. Children have therefore had to get to know a number of new adults. Despite this, children are settled, and the new staff have been supported by established team members in getting to know the children. For staff who are leaving who have close relationships with the children, plans have been put in place to allow them to safely maintain some communication with them, in order to lessen the impact of them leaving the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The children attend school on a daily basis and are doing well. Staff support the children to attend their educational provision and encourage them to undertake extra-curricular activities both inside and outside of school. One child has recently attended Taekwondo for the first time.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have ensured that there is now a robust and planned approach to support children with their mental health and in respect of any self- injurious behaviour. While incidents are still occurring, they are now seeking advice and guidance from trained mental health professionals.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are consulted, when possible, in respect of decision-making in the home. Staff actions demonstrate their care for children. For example, they recently threw a themed surprise birthday party for one child, which they really enjoyed.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders’ and managers’ understanding in respect of risk has improved. Risks in respect of self-injurious behaviour are now being effectively addressed. Plans that have been updated are not always seen by staff in a timely manner, although information is also disseminated by other methods.

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Findings from the inspection

Plans have been updated to reflect the relevant risks. The acting manager has ensured that historical information about one child has now been ascertained, which has meant their approach to caring for them is more informed and risks are better understood.

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Findings from the inspection

A change in staffing has resulted in more consistent practice and clearer boundaries in the home. This supports the children to feel safe and settled. Overall, there has been a reduction in incidents for one child.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have made improvements in the home. The provider recognised concerns relating to the safeguarding practice and oversight under previous management arrangements. Oversight of practice within the home has improved since the acting manager took over. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2717528 3 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Findings from the inspection

Staffing remains a challenge and there is a lack of experience within the team overall. There are currently no senior staff employed in the home. While some new staff have transferrable skills, the success of staffing arrangements currently requires robust oversight and support by senior managers.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff who have been present since the last inspection note an improvement in support provided to them, and that this in turn has enhanced their ability to provide better quality care to the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Two of the requirements have been met and one has been reinstated. The recommendation has been met.

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Findings from the inspection

The home does not currently have a registered manager, but action has been taken to address this and both a manager and deputy manager have been employed and are due to start at the end of November. There are effective interim arrangements in place to manage the home until the new members of staff start. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2717528 4 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/09/2024 Full Inadequate 29/08/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2717528 5 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must be provided with the appropriate support and guidance from senior managers to ensure they are able to effectively undertake their role as the registered manager.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must take immediate steps to address the inconsistency of care being provided by the current staff team and must effectively monitor the progress of this. 1 November 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2717528 6 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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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: 29 Thorneycroft Lane, Downhead Park, Milton Keynes MK15 9BB

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Inspector

Helen Cushnie, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2717528 7 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Inspector

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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