Children's home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The organisation provides individual therapy for the children and young people in its care. The manager has been in post since registration and manages another home.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 31 January 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not judged

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: 2514770 2

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The care of children

The children and young people benefit from the trusting relationships that staff build with them. Children and young people have clear routines and boundaries, which provides them with stability in a homely environment.

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The care of children

The children and young people have excellent education attendance and make significant progress in their learning. As a result, the children and young people are able to fulfil their educational potential and have access to further education or employment opportunities as young adults.

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The care of children

Staff have supported the children and young person to spend time with their family throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of video calls and social media has helped to facilitate this during lockdown. As restrictions eased, direct contact has resumed. This has helped to ensure that children and young people maintain connection with people who are important to them.

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The care of children

The children and young people have been helped to participate in and enjoy a variety of social and leisure activities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These activities broaden the children and young people’s experiences and help to increase their self-esteem and confidence.

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The care of children

The children and young people have regular access to the home’s in-house therapy team. They also support the staff with training to help them provide a nurturing environment. This has enabled the children and young people to feel safe and secure and experience stability.

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The care of children

Staff encourage children and young people to reflect on a range of topics. For example, they have discussions around the impact of COVID-19 and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. This has helped to raise children and young people’s understanding of key issues in society.

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The safety of children

The children and young people told the inspector that they feel safe and have good relationships with all the staff. The home is a welcoming environment where the children and young people feel relaxed and happy.

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The safety of children

Staff have in-depth knowledge of the children and young people’s emotional and behavioural needs. The staff follow comprehensive risk assessments and behaviour management plans. These are routinely reviewed and updated after any incident or changes in behaviours to help the staff team complete their roles. This enables staff to help the children and young people reduce risk-taking and challenging behaviours. Assurance visit report: 2514770 3 Rewards and incentives are a key feature in the home. As a result, children and young people’s behaviour has improved and risk-taking behaviour has decreased.

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The safety of children

All the staff are trained in therapeutic crisis intervention, which enables them to help the children and young people manage their emotions. This allows the children and young people to feel safe and secure as the staff provide them with consistent boundaries, routines and structure.

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Leaders and managers

Children and young people benefit from living in a home that is managed efficiently and effectively. The manager demonstrates good leadership skills and is committed to ensuring that children and young people have every opportunity to succeed in life.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has systems in place to provide her with robust management oversight. This helps her to oversee the care plans of the children and young people and staff’s performance and development needs.

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Leaders and managers

The manager ensures that there is effective communication between the staff team. They have regular supervision, team meetings and daily handovers, which helps to provide consistency of care for the children and young people.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is accessible and works effectively with the staff team, professionals, and families. This coordinated approach helps to ensure that the children and young people have opportunities to overcome challenges and have access to the right levels of support.

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Leaders and managers

The quality of relationships between the manager and partner agencies is excellent. Professionals report very high levels of satisfaction with the care children and young people receive and the professionalism of staff.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Time-Out Children’s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2, Ripponden Mill, Mill Fold, Ripponden Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX6 4DH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Dominic Macauley

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Karen Houghton Assurance visit report: 2514770 4

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Inspector

Noel Cooper, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2514770 5 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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