Children's home run by Platform Childcare Ltd

Inspection report children’s home: 1263505 1 Registered provider: Platform Childcare Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are making good progress. Since the last inspection, three children have remained at the home and one child has moved in. When considering admissions, the registered manager takes care to ensure that staff can meet the child’s needs. A social worker said: ‘When the child was admitted, contact with the registered manager was really positive and communication was really good.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support children to keep in touch with their family. Staff understand the importance of children keeping in contact with their family. They offer practical and emotional support to help children maintain relationships with people who matter to them. Interim inspection report children’s home: 1263505 2 Direct work with children has improved. Sessions focus on the unique and specific needs of each child and address any emerging concerns. Feedback from all agencies is positive. A transitions worker said: ‘They are absolutely superb. I am really impressed with what they have done.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are resilient. They show a strong commitment to the children. Children are experiencing more stability in comparison to their previous placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. Any concerns that arise are taken seriously. Robust management oversight ensures that the welfare and protection of children are carefully monitored.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are supported to develop their independence skills. Staff understand the importance of assisting children to take measured risks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is a good role model for staff. He is passionate about ensuring that children receive uncompromising standards of care. A staff member said: ‘The manager has a lot of experience and he has passed this on to us. He gives us a lot of support.’ The manager ensures that staff receive effective supervision and appraisal. This helps to ensure that any shortfalls in practice are quickly addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has challenged the local authority in relation to a child’s educational provision. Despite this, the child’s educational needs remain unmet and further action needs to be taken to address this.

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Recommendations

 All children must have access to appropriate advocacy support, and where possible this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. Looked-after children are entitled to an independent advocate to advise them and ensure that they have the support needed to express their views, wishes and feelings about their care and lives. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.16) Interim inspection report children’s home: 1263505 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.

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Information about this inspection

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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Platform Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 32, Anglesey Business Centre, Anglesey Road, Burton-on-Trent DE14 3NT

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Inspector(s)

Bev Allison, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: 1263505 4 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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

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