Children's Home run by TLC Youth Care Ltd in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report children’s home: 2532139 1 Registered provider: Tlc Youth Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private organisation runs this home. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children who present with challenging and complex behaviour.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in May 2019. This is the home’s first inspection since registration.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2532139 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This is the home’s first inspection. Inspection report children’s home: 2532139 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child was admitted shortly after the home opened and she is making very good progress. Her transition to this home was managed exceptionally well. She responds well to the calm, nurturing environment and enjoys a variety of positive experiences. A relative said: ‘This is the best home [child’s name] has been in. They are consistent with her and they really do care about her. She has made so much progress.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A second child has recently been admitted, from the provider’s other home. This transition has been carefully considered and well planned. The child visited twice to familiarise himself, and his key-worker transferred with him to reduce any anxieties. Careful planning and a warm welcome help children to settle into their new environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have high aspirations for children. They encourage and support them with their individual education packages. A child who previously struggled to engage in education is now achieving high attendance and is making good academic progress. When children do not have a school place, the manager is proactive in her attempts to source one to ensure that they reach their full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with the opportunity to take part in a range of stimulating opportunities and activities. Children enjoy shopping trips, day-trips, going to the cinema, walks in the countryside and feeding the local horses. Memorable moments are captured by the staff and recorded in memory books for the children to keep.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager is committed to helping children build a greater sense of belonging. One of the children, accompanied by the staff, visited a homeless shelter on Christmas day and baked cakes for a charity coffee morning. This innovative practice supports the children’s inclusion in the community and helps to develop an awareness of some of the issues affecting wider society.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of children maintaining relationships with their families. Staff provide transport and facilitate visits in line with the children’s care plans. Family members are invited to visit the home and appreciate the warm welcome they receive.

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

Well written, detailed risk assessments highlight each child’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. These assessments provide clear guidance on the actions to take to minimise potential dangers and protect children. The children take an active part in helping the staff to understand what works best for them when they are feeling distressed. Inspection report children’s home: 2532139 4 There have been no incidents of children going missing. Children who have a significant prior history of going missing stabilise quickly in the protective environment. The skilled staff team supports children to become safer. Good-quality key-work sessions with the children help them to recognise unsafe behaviours and learn how to make safer choices.

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

The staff reward children’s positive behaviour and give sanctions for negative behaviour. These sanctions and rewards are discussed with the children, who are encouraged to reflect on their actions. Rewards outnumber sanctions, and records show that the children respond well to this system.

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

There has been no use of physical interventions. The staff are trained to use physical intervention. When incidents happen, for example when children are upset, and their behaviour becomes challenging, the staff use their relationship with, and knowledge of, the child to help to defuse and de-escalate the situation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The dedicated and knowledgeable manager has been in post since the home opened in May 2019. She has prior experience as a registered manager and has a relevant level 5 diploma. The staff described the manager as amazing, having extremely high standards and as being very supportive to the staff and the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high aspirations for the children, is a strong advocate for them and leads by example. Excellent working relationships with external professionals that influence decision-making have been established. One social worker said: ‘Communication is of a high level. I really can’t fault them. The manager is very thorough, able to challenge and is proactive in her approach. [Child’s name] is achieving fantastic progress because of this.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is exceptionally well organised. This environment enables the staff to work consistently together to prioritise the day-to-day needs of the children. The staff continually seek the children’s views informally, in key-work sessions and during house meetings. The children flourish in their surroundings, knowing that their wishes and feelings are heard, supported and respected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Regular staff meetings, clinical meetings and training sessions support the ’staff’s work. The children’s individual needs are fully discussed and documented. The staff receive well-structured inductions and regular formal supervision with the knowledgeable manager, offering practice advice and guidance. This provides continuity for the children and support for the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children are clearly at the centre of this home. The manager ensures that the home has a positive ethos and culture. The staff act as good role models. They take pride in their work and are very proud to help the children to achieve their goals. Inspection report children’s home: 2532139 5 Inspection report children’s home: 2532139 6

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: 2532139 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Tlc Youth Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 19 Harrier Park, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN4 0QG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Duncan MacKenzie

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Inspector

Lynne Drage, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2532139 8 to 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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