Children's home run by Searchlight Care Services Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report children‟s home: SC008273 1 SC008273 Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services 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

The home is operated by a private company. The current manager has been registered with Ofsted since April 2012 and holds a level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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Information about this children’s home

This children‟s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person who has social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 27 to 28 February 2019

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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

Date of last inspection: 26 February 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children‟s home: SC008273 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/02/2018 Full Good 21/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 03/01/2017 Full Good 09/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children‟s home: SC008273 3

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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

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes all necessary information; and within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”) has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i–viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 31/05/2019

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One young person who has lived at the home for several years has now moved into independent living. During his time at the home, he made fantastic progress. A transition plan was put in place prior to him moving out. This ensured that he was provided with the skills and knowledge he needed to prepare him for living on his own. The manager challenged the local authority when staff raised concerns that the young person‟s move was being rushed and was not being managed at the young person‟s pace. This resulted in a more coordinated move. Since the young person has left he has continued to benefit from support from the staff, who regularly stay in touch. He has continued to live in the locality and is doing well in his education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The new young person is supported to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. The young person is engaging in a range of activities, which is promoting his health and broadening his experiences. Since moving to the home, the young person has developed an interest in ice hockey and is currently a member of a local ice hockey team. This is providing the young person with the opportunity to invest in his local community and to develop his talent.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person knows how to raise a complaint. When the young person recently made a complaint, this was quickly resolved by the registered manager. Inspection report children‟s home: SC008273 4 The young person‟s cultural needs are respected, and staff support him to stay in touch with his family.

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

The new young person reported that he can speak to staff and feels that his wishes and feelings are listened to and acted on. The young person is provided with clear and consistent, age-appropriate boundaries. This means that he feels cared for by staff and is developing a sense of belonging.

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

Staff use physical restraint as a last resort to maintain the young person‟s safety. When this does occur, the registered manager does not always check that the views of the young person are sought and understood. This means that the young person misses out on having an opportunity to speak to someone to explore his feelings following being physically restrained by staff.

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

The young person‟s behaviour management plans and risk assessments are reviewed and updated regularly. Staff understand the needs of the young person and how best to support him. The young person has regular access to key-work sessions, which address a range of issues to promote his welfare.

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

The registered manager has been able to demonstrate that they have learned from placement breakdowns. For example, in one case a young person was placed in the home but had needs that were more complex than the home could manage. The young person was subsequently moved to a new placement that was a more specialist provision. This has resulted in the manager reviewing how she assesses referrals to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is well managed by a suitably experienced and qualified registered manager. The home also has an experienced deputy manager. Both are passionate about providing young people with good-quality care. They have high expectations for all young people and want them to achieve and succeed. This ethos is filtered down to the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff understand the aims and objectives of young people‟s care plans. Staff know how young people are progressing and are proactive in advocating young people‟s wishes and feelings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and the staff receive regular supervision and, when appropriate, an annual appraisal. This means that staff receive regular feedback on their performance. New staff have been suitably vetted and receive an appropriate induction and essential training. This ensures that the workforce is experienced and skilled to meet the needs of young people. Inspection report children‟s home: SC008273 5 The registered manager monitors and reviews the quality of care offered to young people. This includes securing the views of young people and stakeholders. This feedback is then used to aid learning and improve the overall quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and staff promote and maintain good working relationships with professionals supporting young people. The professionals spoke positively about the good progress young people make. For example, the leaving care worker for the young person who has left for independence said, „I couldn‟t fault them; staff have gone above and beyond.‟ The independent reviewing officer for the young person currently living at the home said, „The registered manager and deputy manager show passion. They have insight into the young person‟s needs and will challenge.‟

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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

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: SC008273 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Marcus House, Parkhall Road, Longton, Stoke on Trent ST3 5XA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Denver Underwood

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Inspector

Sarah Junor-Fitzpatrick, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC008273 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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