Children's home run by Gracewells Care Limited

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to accommodate four children with social and/or emotional difficulties. The home is owned by a private provider, which has one other home in the county.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since 18 June 2020 and is the second registered manager since the home was registered in October 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: Not previously inspection

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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. 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: 2545733 2

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The care of children

Staff and children enjoy strong and trusting relationships that have flourished during the pandemic when staff moved into the home. Children say that they knew staff cared for them when staff left their own families to look after and keep them safe.

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The care of children

Children continue to keep in touch with their families. Staff have been creative in the use of technology to enable families to communicate during times of lockdown and social distancing.

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The care of children

Staff and education providers work together, ensuring that all children continue to learn and make progress in their education. Staff have been creative and developed a good routine of daily education. All children attend an education provision, with one child attending regularly for the first time in years. Children spoke about seeing friends in the community and developing relationships.

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The care of children

Children say that they can talk freely and openly with staff about any health issues. Children say staff have helped them to understand the COVID-19 pandemic and how to keep safe and healthy.

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The care of children

Children share their views about their care, the home, community and national issues. Children enjoyed a holiday locally and took part in quad biking sessions, which boosted their self-esteem and saw children’s confidence soar.

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The safety of children

Staff understand how to manage risk and keep children safe. Children have generally not been missing from the home and followed government guidance about keeping safe during the pandemic. When a child did go missing, the registered manager ensured that multi-agency professionals’ meetings took place to form strategies on how to keep the child safe. This has resulted in the child not going missing for four months.

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The safety of children

The positive relationships between staff and children, and this understanding of risk, have allowed children and staff to have a better understanding of one another, which has seen very few incidents in the home.

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The safety of children

Staff understand the effect on children’s behaviour of being confined indoors during lockdown. Staff have dealt effectively with the isolated incidents of challenging behaviour that have occurred. On one occasion, when a child wanted to leave the home, after testing positive, staff guided them away and discussed how they were feeling and the reasons why they needed to isolate. As a result, the child remained in the home, thus keeping the wider community safe.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has a wealth of experience, is suitably qualified and has been manager of this home since June 2020. The home registered in October 2019. Assurance visit report: 2545733 3 However, shortly after, the registered manager and responsible individual left the organisation. The home closed voluntarily for a few months and re-opened with a new manager and responsible individual. The manager is supported by a deputy manager and a strong team of residential staff.

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Leaders and managers

The manager and senior staff ensure that all children’s plans are constantly reviewed, considering the COVID-19 outbreak and the easing of restrictions. Staff clearly understand these plans and implement them appropriately.

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Leaders and managers

The independent visitor continues to monitor the progress and well-being of the children. Visits were carried out virtually initially and involved speaking with children and staff. This gave children the opportunity to speak with someone independent from the home about their care during lockdown.

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Leaders and managers

The manager regularly consults children and stakeholders and uses this to improve the care and experiences provided for children. For example, the children asked for a cinema room to be developed in a spare room in the basement. This was actioned and is one of the favoured places in the home to chill out, watch a movie and eat popcorn.

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Leaders and managers

Strong relationships with partner agencies and social workers have continued, with regular opportunities for people to have face-to-face discussions in the garden. Professionals continue to work together to benefit the children.

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Leaders and managers

Staff benefit from strong leadership and support. Training continues in a variety of formats to ensure continued and effective staff development. The manager provides regular supervision to all staff.

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Leaders and managers

No requirements have been made following this visit.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Gracewells Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Gracewells International Ltd, Unit 1, Calder Court, Shorebury Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool FY4 2RH

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Inspector

Elaine Clare, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2545733 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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