Children's home run by Living Life (UK) Limited in North Northamptonshire

Assurance visit report: SC481844 1 SC481844

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is owned by a private company. The home provides care for up to five children and young people aged between seven and 17 on admission who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 21 January 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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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:  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: SC481844 2

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The care of children

At the time of the visit, three children were living at the home. One child had recently moved into the home from a hospital, where she was supported with mental health issues. Staff were sensitive to the child’s needs for a planned introduction. Feedback was very positive about how the staff managed this move and how they continue to help the child feel at home.

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The care of children

Two children, who are related, moved home to be with family at the start of April 2020. This move was planned but accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff kept in contact with the family throughout the first few weeks of lockdown, offering practical and emotional support in line with social distancing measures. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the children did not have the opportunity to celebrate their leaving as they wanted. They intend to do this when current restrictions are relaxed. This is testament to the positive relationships that the staff built with the children.

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The care of children

Staff care for children in a homely environment. They understand the children’s diverse needs. Parents and professionals feel confident that staff are promoting the best interests of children.

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The care of children

Children have school placements and up-to-date education plans. Staff are supporting children to engage in some learning at home and at school. Staff are working effectively with other professionals to improve school attendance in line with each child’s individual needs. One headteacher said that staff are ‘going out of their way’ to make the school placement a success.

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The care of children

Staff engage in activities chosen by the children. The children enjoy this one-to-one time and attention. They feel listened to and valued.

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The safety of children

Staff attend mandatory training, including around safeguarding children. The manager reviews staff training needs when considering a new referral. As a result, staff have recently undertaken ligature training to help them to manage incidents safely.

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The safety of children

Risk assessments are relevant and individualised. Staff are familiar with the risks to the children. However, there has been one incident when staff did not follow the guidance in relation to calling the police immediately when a child went missing from the home. This placed the child at increased risk of harm.

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The safety of children

Restraints are proportionate and used to keep children and others safe. The manager has an appropriate focus on reducing the number of restraints. She regularly reviews incidents and has implemented a physical intervention reduction plan for one child. The manager ensures regular review of the child’s behaviour with external professionals. She also oversees regular conversations with the child about how they can achieve their common aim of reducing incidents. Assurance visit report: SC481844 3 One child has been making frequent allegations about staff. These are often immediately retracted. However, all safeguarding incidents have been reported appropriately with prompt actions taken to minimise the risks to the child and to staff.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has made improvements to the home, maintaining momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. All the requirements from the previous inspection have been met.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has good oversight of practice at the home. This is supported by the independent visitor’s monitoring, which provides challenge and monitors the home’s compliance with the actions and recommendations that the visitor makes.

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Leaders and managers

Professionals and parents said that they have good communication with the manager. They feel confident that if they raise issues these will be addressed quickly. One complaint has been received since April 2020. This was managed appropriately and the complainant said that they are happy with the outcome.

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Leaders and managers

Staff said that they enjoy their roles and feel supported. New staff are joining a stable staff team that knows the children well.

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff implement the actions in children’s missing-from-home risk assessments without delay. 16/11/2020 Assurance visit report: SC481844 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Living Life (UK) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 60 Overstone Road, Sywell, Northampton NN6 0AW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Lorraine Andrews

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Inspector

Paula Edwards, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC481844 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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Inspector

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