Children's home run by Total Care Matters Limited in Nottingham

Assurance visit report: SC449954 1 SC449954

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Information about this children's home

This home is owned by a private provider. It can provide care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager is registered with Ofsted. She is suitably qualified and experienced.

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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:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. 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: SC449954 2

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The care of children

Children are well cared for. The staff know the children well and have supportive and nurturing relationships with them. Staff were able to confidently discuss the children’s care plans and risk assessments.

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The care of children

All children attend school or college and are making progress. Additional education support has been accessed when needed. One child has successfully taken GCSE exams. This has led to a sixth form placement to study A-levels. One child is actively involved in committees and community groups that advocate for children’s rights. Staff help children to develop high aspirations for their futures.

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The care of children

Children have been supported to maintain contact with their families and friends. This was challenging during the COVID-19 period and led to an increase in absences. Staff at the home worked with the children to help them understand the risks associated with unauthorised absences better. Some children have a wider network of friends outside of the home and are supported to maintain these friendships.

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The care of children

The home is clean and welcoming. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their individual taste. Children have been consulted about the redecoration of the home. A new games room is planned, which will give children additional space to pursue hobbies and interests.

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The safety of children

Children are kept safe at the home. They have clear and detailed risk assessments. Behaviour support plans are in place. Staff are able to discuss the known risks to children and how to minimise these.

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The safety of children

There had been some concerns about professional boundaries between staff and children, which had led to referrals to the local safeguarding officer. Training has been undertaken with staff to re-enforce expectations of conduct. A new shift debrief form has been implemented which gives opportunities to reflect on practice each day.

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The safety of children

There has been a robust review of safeguarding policies and procedures. Comprehensive work has been undertaken with staff around safeguarding. Staff were able to confidently discuss the policies and explain the actions that they would need to take in response to safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding is discussed within supervisions and team meetings.

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The safety of children

Incidents have reduced in the home. Staff have supported children to look at alternative strategies to manage their emotions. Working practices have also been adapted to meet the needs of individual children. Assurance visit report: SC449954 3 New management monitoring tools have been implemented to evaluate incidents in the home. These support in identifying patterns and trends and ensure clear management oversight.

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Leaders and managers

There is strong leadership and management in the home. The management team works well together and provides support, guidance and inspiration to the staff. The manager is approachable and role models child-focused practice. Strengths and weaknesses of the home are well understood and form part of the ongoing development.

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Leaders and managers

Staff are encouraged to develop their skills and to support and mentor less experienced staff. They have had a wide range of training to develop their skills and knowledge. All staff have completed an induction pack and undertaken a skills analysis. All staff have now completed or are enrolled on the diploma level 3 course.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has clear oversight of children’s plans. These plans are regularly reviewed and updated. Additional management monitoring tools have been implemented to support the overview of the home.

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Leaders and managers

There has been a clear and robust management response to a previous safeguarding concern. Lessons have been learned and new policies, procedures and training have been implemented in response.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has established positive links with external professionals. The home works well within multi-disciplinary teams. An external professional said that children’s progress has been beyond their expectations.

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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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Children's home details

Registered provider: Total Care Matters Ltd Assurance visit report: SC449954 4 Registered provider address: 230 Bathley Street, The Meadows, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG2 2ER

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Inspector(s)

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC449954 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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