Children's Home run by Brighter Futures for Children Limited in Reading

Inspection report children’s home: 2502333 1 Registered provider: Brighter Futures for Children Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This short-break service was re-registered under Brighter Futures for Children on 29 November 2018. The home can provide short breaks for up to six children at a time who have learning disabilities, and/or physical disabilities and/or sensory impairment.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in November 2018.

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Inspection date: 12 March 2020

Date of last inspection: 3 December 2019

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Inspection date: 12 March 2020

Judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Inspection date: 12 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2502333 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: 2502333 3

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people clearly enjoy coming to this short-break provision. They make excellent progress in accessing and enjoying education, trying new foods and improving their personal hygiene and emotional well-being. Their achievements and progress are evident throughout the home with photographs of smiling faces on every wall. Their progress is also recorded in life-story books, providing an account of their time here. Staff understand the varied targets for young people and provide routines and activities to help them achieve these.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy a range of activities, including trips out. Currently the home borrows an accessible vehicle from a school during school holidays. This provides young people with additional opportunities. This could be extended if the home had its own wheelchair-accessible vehicle.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage young people to share their views and make choices about their care. Currently there is a lot of redecoration work happening in the home and young people have been choosing the colour schemes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager carefully organises each stay. Her excellent planning, use of impact assessments and grouping of young people ensure that they have an enjoyable stay, make friends and make progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager’s careful matching also reduces the number of incidents in the home. There has been one significant incident since the last inspection. This incident was well managed and the young person was kept as safe as possible. The registered manager has ensured that all staff learn from this, which reduces the likelihood of a repeat of the incident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recording is generally good. There are some discrepancies in a young person’s plan regarding the use of the sensory room and the storage of his belongings. A recommendation is made to ensure that all records are consistent and clear.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager strives to improve the provision and is looking at ways of expanding the service to support families in their homes. She has developed a range of monitoring and auditing tools to assess the progress and quality of the service. Staff are given individual audit roles and responsibilities. This helps to develop their skills and knowledge. Excellent work in partnership with health and education providers and with families ensures that young people receive a holistic experience when using this short-break service. Inspection report children’s home: 2502333 4 One requirement was made at the last inspection regarding the statement of purpose. This has been met and Ofsted has received an updated version.

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Recommendations

 Staff should understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. This specifically refers to the recording in support plans. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that Covid-19 is currently posing to those we inspect. During this visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of Coronavirus by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements.

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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

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: 2502333 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brighter Futures for Children

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 2LU

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Helena Macieira Baptista

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Inspector

Judith Longden, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2502333 6 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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