Children's Home run by Care Focus Limited in Suffolk

Information about this children’s home

The home registered in December 2019. It is one of a group run by an independent provider. The home specialises in the care of up to four girls aged from 10 to 17 who have experienced trauma and who often have complex social backgrounds and show through behaviour that they experience significant emotional difficulties. All are at risk of, or have experienced, child sexual exploitation and/or going missing from care.

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Information about this children’s home

The suitably qualified and experienced manager has been in post since the home opened.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: Not previously inspected

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not previously inspected

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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: 2552727 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 provided care for a total of four young people since it registered in December 2019. One young person moved on as the home was unable to meet their needs. Two of the three young people who currently live at the home were already known to the manager. The manager was therefore able to ensure that the staff were able to meet the young people’s needs. The newest young person moved in during the early lockdown restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the manager continued to ensure that the young person’s move into the home was well planned and well matched with the young people who were already living at the home.

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The care of children

The staff have supported the young people effectively throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They have helped the young people to understand and follow changing public health guidance and maintain contact with their families. The staff have helped the young people to keep active and try new things, including paddle boarding.

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The care of children

The therapeutic model of care is implemented effectively and permeates the home. The young people benefit from regular therapy. This therapy, in conjunction with the wraparound emotional support from staff, promotes positive emotional well-being. One professional said, ‘I have nothing but praise for them [the staff]. They are incredibly skilled and sensitive.’

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The care of children

Because the young people are educated on site, they have been able to maintain their education throughout the pandemic without interruption. Each young person is making differing levels of progress in their education. However, the staff provide consistently positive support to promote engagement. There are effective and supportive partnerships between the home and education staff. As a result, one young person has transformed from being disengaged and highly resistant, to achieving 100% education attendance and is now attempting higher GCSE papers. The staff have successfully begun to unlock this young person’s potential and help them to meet their aspirations.

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The safety of children

The relationships that the young people have with the staff help them to feel safe and emotionally supported. As a result, the young people have been able to share their traumatic experiences with staff. The staff have managed these disclosures and any self-harm appropriately, sensitively and supportively.

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The safety of children

The staff are successful at building close and positive relationships with the young people. This underpins their success in helping the young people to make significant Assurance visit report: 2552727 3 progress in their personal safety. The supervision of the young people has kept them safe. There have been no missing-from-home incidents or concerns regarding exploitation.

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The safety of children

However, the close supervision can make the young people feel frustrated. Sometimes, they feel that they are treated unequally and unfairly. There are systems in place for consultation and opportunities for the young people to air their views. However, the young people said that they do not always feel that their views are heard and acted on.

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The safety of children

The staff understand that the traumatised young people use behaviour as a means of communication. The staff try to help the young people to identify ways of dealing with issues and reflect on how situations can be managed better in the future. However, on occasion, physical intervention has been used to keep the young person or staff safe. While there are no concerns about individual incidents, restraints in which the manager has been involved have not been reviewed by an independent senior manager. This undermines the purpose and robustness of the review, to ensure fair and proportionate use of restraint on each and every occasion.

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Leaders and managers

Management and leadership of this home are effective. The registered manager has ensured that this new home has got off to a good start. As a result, the young people receive consistently good-quality care and support.

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Leaders and managers

The staff have maintained suitable staffing cover during the pandemic, which means that the young people have received continuity of care.

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Leaders and managers

The staff have mixed levels of experience in residential childcare. Therefore, the experienced senior staff are able to guide and mentor the new staff. The staff benefit from a variety of suitable training and feel well supported.

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Leaders and managers

The staff work well in partnership with parents and other professionals to meet the young people’s needs. As a result, the staff are highly valued. Parents and professionals described the staff as being child focused, caring and skilled.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted on. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’ page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of restraint which involve the manager are reviewed by someone independent and who is of at least Assurance visit report: 2552727 4 equivalent seniority, to ensure that their use is fair. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’ page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Third Floor, 24 Chiswell Street, Islington, London EC1Y 4YX

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Inspector

Joanna Heller, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2552727 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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