Children's home run by BREAK

Interim inspection report children’s home: 1256794 1 Registered provider: Break Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This charity-run home provides care for up to two children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma, and/or family and placement breakdowns. The children may have difficulty forming relationships and may display difficult or challenging behaviour. The manager was registered in May 2018.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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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 improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has addressed two of the three requirements and both of the recommendations that were raised at the last inspection. The requirement in respect of external monitoring is restated.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

From their starting points, children are making excellent progress and their outcomes have significantly improved. For one child, this has meant achieving goals in relation to employment and education and having clear aspirations for the future. Children make progress because staff provide consistency, warmth and empathy on a daily basis.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children feel safe and happy at the home. They have good relationships with staff, who listen to and support them. A child said, ‘The staff are really friendly and helpful. They support me, and I feel safe. I feel that I have someone to talk to. This makes me feel better.’ Staff take time to get to know the children extremely well and understand their Interim inspection report children’s home: 1256794 2 needs, likes and dislikes. The staff encourage children to talk about their feelings and worries. The children know how to complain. Staff follow up complaints quickly to make sure that issues are addressed.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff enable children to participate in a range of enrichment activities, such as fishing and holidays. This participation helps children to improve their confidence and self- esteem, as well as giving them the opportunity to have different experiences.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Communication with other professionals is a strength. It is regular, effective and informative. The staff and the manager make sure that all professionals know all of the relevant information about the children.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The placing authority is very pleased with the level of care provided to the children. A social work professional said, ‘I cannot praise the home enough. [The staff and manager] are fantastic. They know the child better than he knows himself.’ It is clear that being at the home is making a positive difference to the children’s lives and future chances.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child is learning a trade and is planning for semi-independent living locally. Another child has recently attended college for the first time in a significant period. This is an important milestone and achievement. The manager and the staff are proactive at seeking educational resources for the children. They recognise the importance of education and skills for each child.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are skilled at managing challenging behaviour. They de-escalate unwanted behaviour quickly and effectively. The staff provide a safe place for the children, offering warmth and care to help children to start to regulate their behaviour.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance to children of maintaining good relationships with family members. Staff facilitate family visits. A parent said that he is very happy with the progress that his child is making. The parent said, ‘The staff have managed to achieve things that, as a family, we have tried but not been able to do.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Clear plans and impact assessments underpin positive transitions to the home. The manager plans carefully with the placing authority to consider and assess all risks thoroughly. If needed, the manager implements additional safeguards to protect all children.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some records lack information. This does not provide a clear view of the action that staff have taken.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is some minor damage to the kitchen. This was evident on some walls, a kitchen cupboard and the fridge.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Internal monitoring is comprehensive and considers the views of children and the placing local authority. However, external monitoring does not include the views of children’s family members or social workers. Consequently, these views do not contribute to the Interim inspection report children’s home: 1256794 3 assessment of the care provided.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/05/2018 Full Good 17/10/2017 Full Inadequate

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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, 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

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (2)(a)(7)(a)) 15/04/2019

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) In particular, fully complete records of children going missing and the follow-up work done by the staff. Interim inspection report children’s home: 1256794 4

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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 address: Spar Road, Norwich NR6 6BX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Catherine Kenney

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Inspector(s)

Debbie Young, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: 1256794 5 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)

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