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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2799237 1 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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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

The home provides long-term care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties. One child has moved into the home since the last full inspection. Two children currently live in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home does not currently have a registered manager. There is an acting manager in place providing oversight of the home.

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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: 2799237 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

Staff have improved their relationships and engagement with the children in the home. This has resulted in one child in particular spending more time in communal areas rather than being isolated in their bedroom. The children are confident in expressing their wishes and feelings; this is demonstrated within records. It is not always evident in children’s plans.

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Findings from the inspection

When children who are new to the home move in, staff ensure that they spend time getting to know them, with a focus on understanding their specific needs. One child who is new to the home has struggled with the transition; however, staff’s successful responses to their needs has supported them to feel more settled. This has led to a reduction in overall incidents in recent weeks.

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Findings from the inspection

Children attend education settings, although there are challenges currently for one child, who is struggling to engage with their provision; this is being addressed by the acting manager.

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Findings from the inspection

The environment of the home has improved. There are photographs of the children and staff on the walls, and soft furnishings and colour throughout. Children’s bedrooms are highly personalised.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have managed some challenging situations in the past few months. They understand the current risks related to the children and have begun to develop more confidence in managing incidents. Staff are able to identify, and attempt to avoid, key triggers for children to try and lessen the chance of incidents occurring. Risk assessments for children are clear and are updated to reflect recent incidents. They now provide clear guidance to staff about how to respond and manage behaviour and/or risks.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff take appropriate action when children have made allegations. However, the children’s plans do not provide clarity about the steps that staff should take. This means new staff learn from existing staff rather than following plans. .

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Findings from the inspection

Restraint has been used in the home. Overall, incidents of restraint have reduced in recent weeks. Records describing restraints are detailed and explain the context of incidents. However, conversations with staff and children following restraints are not recorded in a timely manner and Several records are missing. The acting manager states that these have been completed but not yet written up on the provider’s recording system. Staff utilise some holds multiple times, despite them having limited impact in de-escalating or diffusing an incident. This is not identified through management oversight. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2799237 3 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Findings from the inspection

The previous registered manager left the home on 10 September 2025 and there have been interim arrangements in place since this date. The acting manager of the home has now been appointed as full-time manager and plans to apply to register with Ofsted. The acting manager is an experienced manager and has made some significant positive changes during the short time she has been in post.

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Findings from the inspection

Senior leaders have demonstrated learning from previous inspections and ensured that oversight and actions taken, particularly in the absence of a registered manager, have been clearly documented.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have not received regular formal supervision since the last inspection. A new member of staff, who started shortly before the last inspection, had one supervision in a five-month period, while they were on probation. Other members of staff have also received little formal supervision. The acting manager has since provided supervisions for all members of the team.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements from the last inspection have been met. One new requirement and one new recommendation have been made. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2799237 4 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/03/2025 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2799237 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

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction;

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that new members of staff have regular and effective supervision which provides clear oversight of both their practice and professional development. 1 December 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure they keep clear and timely records of restraint that enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly. The review should include speaking with both members of staff and children promptly following an incident so as to provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2799237 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: 2799237 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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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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