Children's home run by Holistic Approach Limited

Inspection report children's home: 2509838 1 Registered provider: Holistic Approach Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people, irrespective of gender. The home specialises in caring for young people who have been or who are experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. This home is managed by an experienced and qualified registered manager.

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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 good

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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: this is the first inspection

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2509838 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This is the first inspection. Inspection report children's home: 2509838 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 recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d)) 25/07/2019

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Recommendations

 Where there is a possibility that a child will run away or go missing from a children’s home placement, their plans should include a strategy to minimise this risk. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45 , paragraph 9.24 )  Ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. (‘Guide to Inspection report children's home: 2509838 4 the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people experience a warm and nurturing environment. The majority of young people are settled and very happy living in the home. A young person commented, ‘I like living in the home. I like the staff the best.’ The staff invest time in each young person individually and strive to give them the best opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Despite the best efforts of the staff team, a young person’s placement has ended. The team worked very well with the placing authority to find a new placement that was better suited to managing the complex emerging needs of the young person. The placing authority is highly complimentary about the way in which the staff worked to assess and understand the needs of this young person.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are registered with appropriate healthcare services and attend all necessary appointments. Young people are encouraged to eat healthily and to exercise. Young people take part in a range of activities and hobbies, such as Guides, going camping, roller skating, attending church activities and arts and crafts. One young person is particularly proud of her fairy garden, which she created with the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s attendance and achievement at school have been improving since they came to live in the home. Notably, their self-care skills are much better. During the inspection, a young person was excited to be attending an ‘own clothes day’ at school. With encouragement from the staff, she chose clothes to wear and a curly hairstyle for the occasion. These care practices help to build each young person’s self-image and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff have a good understanding of young people’s backgrounds and histories. Memory books are being collated with young people to give them an understanding of their experience and life journeys. The staff make sure that young people see their family members regularly to maintain these important relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A warm welcome is part of the introduction to the home, alongside a children’s pack explaining how the home runs. Young people have a ‘tea visit’ and a ‘sleep over’ as part of their in-depth plans for moving into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Consultation is regularly undertaken with young people to ensure that they can voice their views and opinions. Young people have chosen new wallpaper for their bedrooms and are in the midst of deciding on a summer holiday. There are good examples of staff advocating for young people. For example, staff made sure that the view of a young person was considered by other professionals when a decision about their future placement was being made. Inspection report children's home: 2509838 5

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

Young people said that they ‘feel safe’. The staff help young people, through direct work sessions, to understand risk and how to stay safe. Risk management plans are in place. However, these lack sufficient written detail about identifying and mitigating risks, for example the strategies the staff need to use to minimise risk should a young person go missing from care.

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

Young people’s behaviour is well managed by the staff. Sanctions and physical interventions are minimal and appropriate. This demonstrates the respectful and trusting relationships that are developing between staff and young people. A positive recognition book is completed each day by the staff, and this is shared with young people to build their confidence.

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

Checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and obtaining references from previous employers are part of the recruitment and vetting process. However, verification of the reasons why the previous employment of a new staff member ended was not sought during the recruitment process. A requirement has been made to address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This home is managed by an experienced and qualified registered manager. She is supported by a deputy manager. Together, they set the very high standards of care. A nurturing and family environment is woven into the fabric of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff spoken to during the inspection said that they enjoy their work. They feel supported by the manager and their team members. The staff are suitably qualified or are working towards a recognised qualification. They also have regular training, supervisions and team meetings to keep them up to date with emerging information.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are sufficient numbers of staff members working at the home. The diversity of the staff team provides young people with positive role models to identify with. Furthermore, staff are energetic and passionate about the work that they do with young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A development plan is in place to continually improve the standard of care provided. For example, it includes the further development needs of the staff team. Management audits are regularly undertaken and provide an overview of care practice. A monthly report consisting of young people’s outcomes and achievements is part of the quality assurance process.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Liaison with partner agencies is effective, and their feedback is gained. A professional commented, ‘I am absolutely confident that both school and placement went above and beyond.’ Inspection report children's home: 2509838 6

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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: 2509838 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Holistic Approach Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Parkway Business Centre Ltd, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, Sheffield S9 4WG

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Inspector

Caroline Jones, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: 2509838 8 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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