Children's Home run by South West Childcare Services in Plymouth

Inspection report for children’s home: 1235576 1 Registered provider: South West Childcare Services 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 is owned and managed by a private provider and offers care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there was one child living in the home.

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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 outstanding

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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: 1235576 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/11/2023 Full Good 07/02/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1235576 3

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Summary of findings

The adults in this home provide a stable, supportive environment where children feel safe and cared for. They receive 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 children in making positive progress and staying safe.

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Summary of findings

The manager demonstrates a genuine commitment to the children, provides strong support and maintains clear oversight. The manager reflects on practice and is committed to continuous improvement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from positive relationships with adults, appearing settled and at ease in their company. Observations reveal warm and respectful interactions; the child engages in discussions about sensitive topics. Adults respond empathetically and with care, adopting a non-judgemental approach while emphasising the importance of healthy boundaries and friendships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults support and encourage the child to access education, collaborating closely with schools and education professionals to boost attendance, engagement and achievement. The manager has shown strong advocacy for the child, proactively addressing barriers to education to achieve the best outcomes. Currently, the child’s attendance is limited, but plans are in place to gradually increase it, starting in September when they will attend college alongside an alternative educational programme.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults recognise the complexity of family relationships and their influence on the child. They listen to the child share their memories and experiences of their family and offer compassionate and therapeutic responses. When appropriate and safe, adults collaborate with professionals and relatives to help them maintain and strengthen positive bonds. Any concerns regarding the child’s time with family are addressed promptly to ensure the child’s safety and encourage positive experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well maintained and furnished, with the child’s bedroom is personalised to reflect their preferences. Photos taken by the child during countryside outings are displayed, while their framed poems are showcased in the lounge. The small outdoor area offers a peaceful space for the child to relax.

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

Adults have a good understanding of children’s lived experiences and how these impact their emotional wellbeing and behaviours. They are alert to children’s individual Inspection report for children’s home: 1235576 4 vulnerabilities. They use this knowledge to inform their practice and to help children, for example through reflective conversations about their behaviour and associated risks.

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

Leaders and managers have strengthened internet safety at home and on the child’s phone. Safety measures are in place to regularly monitor and manage what children access online, and frequent conversations are held to continue supporting them in doing so safely.

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

Children are supported in learning from incidents and managing their emotions safely. Adults talk to children about risks and other important topics, including healthy relationships, beliefs and substance misuse. Referrals have been made to ensure specialist support is available, and proactive, collaborative working relationships with multi-agency partners further support and protect children.

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

When children move on from the home, the manager ensures the process is well managed. Plans are made to ensure that children feel prepared and comfortable and that the process is carried out at a pace that suits the child’s needs. Adults plan positive endings and keep in touch with children after they move.

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

Adults maintain a positive attitude towards children’s behaviours and promptly de- escalate conflicts. Consequently, there have been no incidents requiring physical restraint and no children going missing from home since the last inspection. The manager ensures that adults are safe to work with children by following safer recruitment processes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and leadership team are confident, ambitious and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children. They are positive role models and provide strong leadership, helping children access opportunities that enable them to thrive and reach their potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Since taking up the post, the manager and the leadership team have had a significant and positive impact on the quality of care provided. Feedback from adults, families and professionals consistently highlights the improvements made under their leadership and the positive, supportive culture they have established in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and leadership team lead by example and have introduced several initiatives to strengthen practice and improve the care provided to children. For example, chronological information gathered from local authority records is presented visually and discussed in team meetings to support adults’ understanding of children’s histories, experiences and trauma.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager regularly reflects on her practice and leadership. She recognises areas of strength and identifies opportunities for further development, taking proactive steps to enhance practice in the home and improve outcomes for children. When external Inspection report for children’s home: 1235576 5 agencies’ responses fall short of expectations, the manager provides appropriate professional challenge to ensure children’s needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Adults report feeling valued, well supported and confident in their roles. They benefit from regular supervision, reflective discussions and opportunities for professional development, which contribute to a positive and motivated workforce. Inspection report for children’s home: 1235576 6

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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 registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review, the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it;

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that they gain and capture children’s feedback and opinions about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive. 30 October 2026

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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: 1235576 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: South West Childcare Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 4AH

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Inspector

Darren Wickens, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1235576 8 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. 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 . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or

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Inspector

medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Inspector

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Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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