Children's Home run by Unique Care Homes Support Limited in Lincolnshire

Inspection report children’s home: 2503306 1 Registered provider: Unique Care Homes Support 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 children’s home is owned and run by a private provider. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and young people who have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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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: 22 October 2019

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2503306 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/10/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: 2503306 3

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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 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)  Expectations of standards of behaviour should be high for all staff and children in the home. These standards should be clear and unambiguous. Children should be supported to develop understanding and empathy towards each other. Positive behaviour and relationships should be reinforced, praised and encouraged; poor behaviour should be challenged and discussed. The development of safe, stable and secure relationships with staff in the home should be central to the ethos of the home

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Recommendations

and support the development of secure attachments that, where appropriate, persist over time. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.11)  The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Social workers confirm that, over time, young people make good overall progress. Young people take pride in their accomplishments. This promotes improved outcomes and life chances.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home provides young people with stability and consistency. Predictable daily routines help young people to settle. As a result, they feel secure. This supports them to engage positively with staff and other professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work hard to develop positive relationships with young people. Past trauma and loss mean that sometimes young people demonstrate challenging behaviours. Staff are resilient and child-focused. They strive to understand the underlying reasons for the behaviours. They persevere and are effective in building good relationships with young people. Inspection report children’s home: 2503306 4 Some young people have previously been non-attenders at school. Staff support them to pursue their academic and vocational interests. As a result, educational attendance improves. Attainment is variable, but, from their starting points, young people have improved educational outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people confirm that their views are heard on a day-to-day basis. Most, but not all, young people have access to advocacy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a strong commitment to promoting diversity in the home. Equality and diversity issues are addressed in a creative and meaningful manner.

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

There have been no incidents of young people going missing from the home. The skilled staff team knows how to implement protocols in the event of a young person going missing. This means that young people will be protected if at risk of harm.

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

Young people say that they feel safe and there is no bullying. However, there have been incidents when staff have been unable to manage the behaviours of some young people. This has led to young people being harmed.

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

There have been very few physical interventions since the last inspection. One young person previously had regular physical intervention. This is now rarely necessary. This is because of clear expectations, routines and the creative use of incentives.

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

The manager has a locality risk assessment in place. This risk assessment, and the wider risk assessments for the home and for young people, are of an exceptional standard. They provide clarity to staff to ensure that risks are managed and minimised. This keeps young people safe.

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

Recruitment practice is now more rigorous. Staff records show clear vetting and safe recruitment practice. This protects young people from unsuitable adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has completed the required management qualification. This means that she is appropriately qualified to manage a children’s home. The registered manager is supported by the responsible individual and operational manager. The leadership team ensures the effective operation of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel fully supported. They have a thorough induction and continue to attend relevant training. Regular team meetings promote the sharing of information. Supervisions and appraisals are at consistent intervals. However, supervision records show a lack of focus on young people’s experiences, needs and plans. Inspection report children’s home: 2503306 5 Partnership work with placing authorities is largely positive. Social workers commend the work of this home. One social worker said: ‘They collaborate very well with the placing authority. I have a positive relationship with the registered manager and her staff team. I know my young person is receiving a high standard of care.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Internal and external quality assurance provide a clear analysis of care provision. This means leaders and managers have a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses.

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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: 2503306 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Unique Care Homes Support Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: White House Business Centre, The White House, Greenalls Avenue, Warrington WA4 6HL

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Inspector

Amanda Ellis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2503306 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 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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