Children's Home run by Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited in Devon

Inspection report for children's home: SC463431 1 SC463431 Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC463431 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/11/2024 Full Good 14/02/2024 Full Outstanding 21/03/2023 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC463431 3

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Summary of findings

The staff know the child well. They are committed to the child and provide them with stability and a safe home environment that helps them to maintain a strong sense of permanence and belonging. Leaders and managers show a genuine commitment to the child and provide good support for staff. This results in staff saying they enjoy working in the home. Recent changes to the management team have been welcomed by staff and there are noticeable improvements to the care and support provided in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has recently benefited from redecoration and modernisation throughout. The staff have involved the child in this, and they chose a new table for the dining room that can also be used to play pool, and have personalised the darts area. The child’s bedroom has also been redecorated. Staff have ordered framed pictures of the child’s favourite football players to put on display. The child said that they like their new room and are happy living at the home as they have lots of friends nearby.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made progress with education. The staff recognise the barriers to education and provide the child with emotional and physical support. This has resulted in the child adapting well to recent changes and maintaining good attendance. The child’s school attributed their continued progress to the commitment and support of the staff, which provides the child with a sense of safety. The manager works collaboratively with the child’s education professionals to frequently review the child’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff create opportunities for the child to have positive and enriching experiences. Recent activities have included attending a football match, going to the cinema and go- karting with friends. Staff have also supported the child to achieve a refereeing qualification. As a result, the child now referees local football matches and earns an income, which promotes their confidence, independence and sense of achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build trusting relationships through meaningful interactions. They listen to the child and create safe opportunities to explore topics related to health, emotional wellbeing and relationships. Staff respond to the child with empathy, nurture and acceptance, which allows the child to talk openly and honestly about their feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. Staff have supported the child to reconnect with family members, supporting their sense of identity.

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

Managers and staff have an in-depth understanding of the child’s lived experiences, needs and vulnerabilities. They are professionally curious about how these affect the Inspection report for children's home: SC463431 4 child’s behaviour and continually review and reflect on strategies and responses. The staff are aware of the child’s susceptibility to risk when in the community or online. Proactive and effective working relationships with the police and external agencies help to protect the child.

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

Staff are proactive and respond quickly to any concerns. They have effective systems in place to monitor the child’s online activity and use this to provide opportunities to educate the child skilfully and sensitively through conversations, helping to improve their awareness and understanding of harmful behaviours and risks.

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

The child enjoys spending time with their friends, and staff support this. They balance the child’s growing independence with their need for safety by maintaining appropriate contact when the child is away from the home. The child responds positively to this support, returns home as agreed, and does not go missing.

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

Leaders and managers address concerns about staff promptly, prioritising the child’s safety and wellbeing. Information is shared in line with statutory guidance. Investigations are conducted fairly, the child is supported and kept informed, and restorative approaches are used where appropriate to repair relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are committed to the care and support of the child. The new manager has been in post for a short period, but staff and professionals recognise the positive changes in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager provides a supportive environment for staff. Staff enjoy working in the home and receive support through timely and reflective supervisions. Team meetings provide opportunities to reflect and learn. The manager identifies additional training for the team to enhance their knowledge and in response to risk. For example, the manager has arranged for external professionals to provide focused workshops for the team around vaping, substance misuse and exploitation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the home’s strengths and areas for development. There is a focus on developing staff confidence and improving their knowledge and skills to ensure there are sustained improvements in the overall quality of care. To further support this, the manager ensures that plans provide staff with clear guidance on strategies to support the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has demonstrated strong collaborative working with external professionals, with the aim of helping the child. The manager has advocated for the child to ensure external agencies understand their needs. As a result, the agencies have adapted their approaches to ensure there is a focus on building relationships with the child to maximise their chances of commitment and success. Professionals are complimentary about the care and support for the child and the safeguarding practices in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were made during the inspection. Inspection report for children's home: SC463431 5

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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: SC463431 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Support Hub, Unit 5, Chinon Court, Lower Moor Way, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6SS

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Inspector

Carly Parry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC463431 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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