Children's home run by Homes 2 Inspire Limited

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two children. The home’s statement of purpose states that the home can provide a service to meet the needs of children with complex needs which may include challenging behaviours and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s manager was registered in June 2020. She is working towards her level 5 management qualification. The manager is also the registered manager of another children’s home which is located nearby.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 20 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. Assurance visit report: 2537252 2

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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.

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The care of children

There have been significant positive changes in the functioning of the home since the new manager started her role. Professionals praise the improvements the manager and staff have made and the positive impact of these changes on children.

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The care of children

Children say they found the COVID-19 lockdown period hard. They missed their families and found online learning difficult. They kept busy and in good spirits by completing activities with staff. There was a big focus during this time on helping children improve their self-esteem and feel good about themselves.

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The care of children

Contact with family members has expanded from virtual to face-to-face contact as COVID-19 restrictions have changed. Staff continue to support children to understand the impact of the global pandemic and the need to keep safe.

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The care of children

At the previous inspection, children’s health needs were identified as an area for improvement. There has been an increased focus in this area. At times, children have embraced healthy lifestyles and have made progress. However, one child’s health outcomes remain an area of concern. An urgent multi-agency approach is needed to ensure that the child’s health needs are met.

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The safety of children

The home provides stability and a place of safety for children. They benefit from clear routines and boundaries and enjoy achieving through their reward system.

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The safety of children

Staff support and supervise children well. Children clearly enjoy spending time with staff. There have been no incidents of challenging behaviour that have required the use of physical intervention. There have been very few missing from care incidents. Staff understand and follow procedures when children do go missing and ensure that an independent return home interview is carried out.

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The safety of children

The use of risk assessments has much improved since the last inspection. Documentation is up to date and accurately reflects children’s needs. As a result, staff are better informed about the risks children may face and how to ensure their safety.

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The safety of children

There has been an isolated incident of poor staff practice. Safeguarding procedures were followed appropriately. The designated safeguarding officer was notified, as well as appropriate safeguarding practitioners. An investigation was thorough and lessons have been learned. These actions demonstrate a strong safeguarding culture and ensure that children receive care from skilled residential staff. Assurance visit report: 2537252 3

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Leaders and managers

The manager has made vast improvements to the home since she started in her role. She has demonstrated strong and effective leadership during the pandemic period. Most requirements from the last inspection are met. Two requirements are repeated. All the recommendations are met.

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Leaders and managers

The manager uses a range of monitoring systems to help identify areas of strength and potential areas for improvement. The manager is clear about the home’s areas for development and she immediately acted on feedback given during the visit.

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Leaders and managers

Members of staff are confident and positive. They feel very well supported by the new manager and their colleagues. One team member commented, ‘We’re a strong staff team’ and added that the manager is ‘brilliant’.

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Leaders and managers

Staff benefit from a full induction training package and ongoing opportunities for training. Some face-to-face staff training was delayed due to the COVID-19 lockdown. This included training around physical intervention and first aid. The manager has ensured that all staff have had the opportunity to receive this training as soon as it became safe to do so. This ensures that children are cared for by an appropriately skilled team.

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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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met; children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 25/11/2020 Assurance visit report: 2537252 4 that staff help each child to—

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 3h, Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby CV21 1TQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Kelly Gliszczynski

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Inspector

Catherine Honey, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance visit report: 2537252 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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