Children's home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC366080 1 SC366080 Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by a private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who have learning disabilities and/or emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 11 October 2017

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendation made at the last inspection in October 2017 is met. Staff now write more young-people-centred records.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make excellent progress. For example, one young person has successfully moved into independent accommodation because of the support provided by staff. This young person fully appreciates the ongoing support he receives from staff. Regular phone calls and a weekly visit from staff reassure the young person as he continues to manage his budget, engage in positive social networks and attend college and rugby training. Inspection report children’s home: SC366080 2 Effective transition planning extends to new young people coming to the home. Pre-admission visits are an important part of managing young people’s anxieties. One young person appreciates that the registered manager visited him at his previous placement. He was also glad that he could visit his new home on several occasions to meet the staff and other young people before he moved in. This young person settled quickly into the routines of the home because he knew what to expect and already had a

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

sense of familiarity with staff and young people. He has a good sense of belonging as he and staff prepared his bedroom, decorated in the theme of his favourite football team, in preparation for his arrival at the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This progressive approach to transition also prepares young people already living at the home for changes to group living. Other young people have lived at the home for an extensive period of time and have very established relationships with staff and each other. They appreciate the time that the registered manager and staff have given them to talk through their emotions when a new young person arrives at the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This planned transition also ensured an excellent exchange of information and time for partnership working between staff, the social worker, parents and school. The new young person experienced a sense of stability and continuity as contact and education arrangements were in place before his arrival.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make excellent progress across all aspects of their lives, including education. They all engage in, and enjoy, full-time education. Close partnership working between staff and link teachers makes a crucial contribution to managing young people’s behaviour and supporting their attendance at school. One young person is now looking forward to taking GCSE examinations this summer. This achievement and his continued weekly attendance at a military academy supports this young person’s plans for a military career.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two other young people have excellent attendance at school and also enjoy a range of after-school activities. Young people’s bedrooms are adorned with photos of their experiences, including football, bike-riding, and trips to the cinema and theme parks.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding practice continues to be outstanding. Young people experience a strong sense of safety and stability. While risk assessment is comprehensive, the organisation of documentation does not prioritise the most recent updates, and this detracts from the guidance that is set out.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff have an excellent relationship with the police. Information-sharing at the point of admission ensures that the police are fully informed about each individual young person’s vulnerability. As a result, clear safeguarding plans are agreed. There are no concerns about young people going missing or being exposed to child sexual exploitation.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership is extremely effective. Young people receive consistent care because staff work as a cohesive team. Young people are looked after by well-trained staff and staff Inspection report children’s home: SC366080 3 training and development are well organised. Staff appreciate the strong leadership of the registered manager, who skilfully works with (and will challenge) other agencies to make sure that all professionals work with the young people’s best interests at heart.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a clear understanding of his monitoring responsibilities. He responds effectively to independent reports and works to empower his staff team to drive improvement. The management team’s monitoring processes are very effective.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation has been made; this is in relation to streamlining documentation.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/10/2017 Full Outstanding 28/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 21/09/2016 Full Requires improvement 14/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

 Keep all children’s case records up to date. This is with particular regard to streamlining risk assessments in order to prioritise the most up-to-date risk management information and guidance for staff. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection. Inspection report children’s home: SC366080 4 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 children’s home: SC366080 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Reflexion Care Group Ltd, Black Birches, Hadnall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 3DH

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Inspector

Elaine Cray, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC366080 6 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.

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Inspector

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