Children's Home run by United Children's Services Limited in Nottinghamshire

Assurance visit report: SC488961 1 SC488961

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately run and provides care for up to five children and young people with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by an experienced and qualified manager.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 11 November 2019

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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. Assurance visit report: SC488961 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

The home has remained very settled since the last inspection. Overall, children are making good progress.

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The care of children

Staff have an excellent understanding of the children in their care. Care plans are designed to build on children’s strengths. As a result, they help children to develop improved self-esteem and to grow in confidence.

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The care of children

Children’s healthcare needs are met well, particularly their emotional and mental health needs. A qualified psychotherapist meets with children regularly. She takes a central role in the development of care plans and behaviour management strategies.

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The care of children

Staff have worked creatively during the COVID-19 pandemic to enable children to continue seeing their family and friends. Staff understand the value to children of maintaining these important relationships and do all they can to support contact arrangements.

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The care of children

Children’s education is prioritised by the manager and staff. Staff know why children find school challenging and support them to attend. The manager has developed good strategies to improve attendance and reduce school exclusions. Despite this, some children still struggle to maintain regular school attendance. One child is currently excluded from school. The manager is working with the local authority to resolve this situation.

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The safety of children

Children are safe in this home. Over time, there has been a reduction in concerning behaviour, such as going missing or aggressive outbursts. Staff, on rare occasions, have resorted to physical intervention. The manager reviews, in detail, every incident and identifies learning to prevent future incidents.

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The safety of children

Staff are skilled at helping children understand how to behave well and take responsibility for their actions. For example, following an incident, one child was helped by staff to understand the consequences of their actions and the impact that their behaviour had on others. As a result, the child demonstrated genuine remorse and learning.

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The safety of children

Children understand how to complain. The manager responds to complaints well. She discusses issues thoughtfully and compassionately with children. Consequently, children feel valued and respected. Assurance visit report: SC488961 3 Staff keep children safe because they understand each child’s vulnerabilities and risks. The manager completes detailed risk assessments. These assessments are particularly good because they do not see risk factors in isolation, but consider risk in relation to the wider context of the child’s life.

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Leaders and managers

This home is led by an experienced manager who is confident and ambitious for children. She takes her own professional development and that of her staff seriously. This is because she understands the beneficial impact on children of a knowledgeable and skilled staff team.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has demonstrated good leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic. She has ensured that all government guidance is followed. She has developed good contingency plans so that the home can cope well in the event that a child or staff member becomes ill.

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Leaders and managers

Staff morale is high. Staff feel very well supported by the manager. They have regular supervision meetings. These meetings are guided by a structured agenda that places an emphasis on the welfare and safety of children. As a result, staff are provided with clear guidance so that they fully understand their roles and responsibilities.

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Leaders and managers

Team meetings are valued by staff. They provide the opportunity to have reflective discussions about the care of children. The psychotherapist working in the organisation attends these meetings, providing helpful suggestions and ideas to staff. Team meetings also give staff the opportunity to consider their own feelings, and their own emotional reactions to children’s behaviours.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: United Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Old Coach House, Drinsey Nook, Lincoln LN1 2JJ

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Inspector

Phillip Morris, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC488961 4 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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