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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC458812 1 SC458812 Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company that operates several children’s homes in the region. It provides care for children with social and emotional difficulties. There was one child living at the home at the time of this inspection, who was living there at the time of the last full inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2024.

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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: Good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC458812 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/07/2025 Full Good 30/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/08/2023 Full Good 13/06/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC458812 3

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Summary of findings

The adults in this home provide a stable, supportive environment in which the child feels safe and cared for. The child receives high-quality care from a dedicated team of adults, who know them well and understand their individual needs and vulnerabilities. Adults in the home use a therapeutic approach to support the child in making positive progress and staying safe. The manager demonstrates a genuine commitment to the child and provides good support for the adults. External professionals speak highly of the home and the care and support provided to the child. At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home and had been there for over 2 years.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults offer the child a warm and inviting environment. The child’s achievements, milestones and positive memories are celebrated through photos, memory books and a dedicated wall of fame. Adults help promote the child’s confidence, self-esteem and sense of achievement, while supporting the development of a positive identity and a strong sense of belonging and permanence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is settled and happy in this home. They have developed good relationships with adults based on trust and respect. Adults adopt an empathetic, playful approach that engages the child and encourages them to spend time with adults.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child talks with adults about sensitive subjects, and adults respond with empathy and care. Adults adopt a non-judgmental approach while reiterating the importance of healthy boundaries, friendships and relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults recognise the value of the child spending quality time with their relatives. They work well with parents to maintain consistency and facilitate meaningful, safe family interactions that support the child’s identity and wellbeing. For example, the child has sleepovers with a friend at home, fostering a sense of belonging and stability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has lived in the home for 2 years and is making good progress in many areas of their life. The child regularly attends their education, has completed their exams and is awaiting college attendance in September. The adults are supporting the child in using public transport to and from college, promoting their independence. Inspection report for children’s home: SC458812 4

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

A mix of newer and experienced adults establish boundaries and routines to keep the child safe. Adults treat the child with dignity and respect. Adults know when to respect the child’s privacy and personal space and when the child needs support. Incidents are rare. However, when they do occur, adults respond appropriately and effectively to help the child manage their behaviour safely. Effective managerial oversight ensures that lessons learned from incidents are shared to support the child and help the team develop.

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

Risk assessments are comprehensive and regularly reviewed, and there is a nurturing response to self-harming behaviours. However, the child is not always supported in taking age-appropriate risks as part of their development towards independent living, with certain items locked away or not permitted in the home.

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

Adults have built trusting relationships with the child, and the child can identify adults to speak with about any worries and concerns. Adults have open conversations with the child, often discussing sensitive information in a child-friendly manner. Adults listen carefully to the child to understand their concerns, respond appropriately and take prompt action to alleviate any fears and ensure the child feels safe. Records are written with compassion and warmth.

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

When the child becomes overwhelmed and emotionally unsettled, adults encourage them to talk about their feelings, which helps them remain calm. Adults are particularly skilled at this and, consequently, there have been no physical interventions since the last inspection.

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

The child is encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings in safe, appropriate ways. Adults use the home’s model of care effectively to understand trauma and previous experiences. Adults focus on the child’s feelings rather than the behaviour.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s manager is passionate about the child’s care and support. She knows the child well, maintains positive relationships with them and works hard to ensure the child receives high-quality, individualised care and support. The manager is a child-focused practitioner and has inspired her team to embrace this approach, as evidenced by staff interactions with the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager monitors the child’s progress effectively and ensures that adults are aware of the child’s ongoing or emerging needs. Adults share updates and ideas during team meetings, which include input from the organisation’s therapeutic team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager supports the child’s needs effectively and advocates on their behalf. They engage with external agencies, as necessary, to secure appropriate outcomes and drive Inspection report for children’s home: SC458812 5 change. This proactive approach has led to improved experiences and outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervisions occur regularly, with a strong focus on staff wellbeing, safeguarding and the child’s overall care and support. Team meetings are reflective and provide staff with a safe, supportive environment in which to share their views and identify key learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals consistently provide positive feedback on leadership within the home. They praise communication, responsiveness, professional challenge and the manager’s commitment to achieving positive outcomes for the child.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s design, where appropriate, enables children to develop independence within the home’s supportive environment. In particular, staff should ensure that any restrictions on equipment are based on current risk. Consideration should be given to gradually reintroducing some of these items, where appropriate and supported by ongoing dynamic risk assessment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.25)

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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: SC458812 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

Darren Wickens, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC458812 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 children looked after, safeguarding, and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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