Children's Home run by Inspire Care (UK) Limited in Staffordshire

Information about this children’s home

This privately-owned home provides care for up to three children who have experienced trauma and encounter associated difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered to manage the home in August 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 18 December 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. 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: 1271234 2

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The care of children

Staff provide children with stability and consistent care. This has helped children feel safe and has supported positive relationships with staff.

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The care of children

Staff promote good routines for the children. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the first lockdown, children have continued to access education and attend school. This has helped children to maintain their learning during the pandemic.

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The care of children

Staff ensure that children’s health needs are met. Staff access medical support for children when this is needed and ensure that children’s medical appointments are up to date.

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The care of children

Staff provide care to children that is in line with the local authority’s care plans. The registered manager and staff keep children’s records up to date. This enables staff to provide individual tailored care to children.

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The care of children

Children make positive progress. For example, staff have helped children to develop strategies to be able to better manage their emotions. This has had a positive impact on the children’s behaviour.

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The care of children

Children are supported to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. Children have used video and phone calls when face-to-face restrictions were in place due to the pandemic.

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The care of children

The house is well maintained and provides children with a homely environment to live in.

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The care of children

Staff understand children’s likes and dislikes. This enables staff to provide child- centred care. The pandemic has limited the opportunities for children to access their normal activities in the community. To mitigate this, at the request of children, staff have bought new computer games for children.

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The safety of children

Staff understand children’s risks and behaviours. Risk and behaviour management plans are detailed and give clear guidance to staff. This helps staff to take the necessary action to try and keep children safe.

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The safety of children

Staff demonstrate empathy and understanding to the behaviour’s children display. Staff quickly understand the triggers to their behaviours. This helps staff to address children’s needs rather than focus on the negative behaviours.

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The safety of children

Staff work with children to help them understand their own behaviours. This encourages children to be reflective and consider the impact of their actions. Children think that the consequences for negative behaviours are fair and proportionate. As a result, they respect staff’s decisions and learn from their mistakes. Assurance visit report: 1271234 3 COVID-19 risk assessments and health and safety measures are in place to reduce the risk of the infection being spread. Staff have explained the COVID-19 pandemic to children to help them feel prepared.

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The safety of children

Overall, staff de-escalate children’s challenging behaviours without needing to physically intervene. Physical interventions are rarely used.

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The safety of children

Children rarely go missing from the home. When such an incident does occur, staff respond appropriately.

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Leaders and managers

A registered manager is in post and is supported well by a deputy manager. Both have a good understanding of the children’s needs. The managers have a calm and measured approach. The staff replicate this approach.

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Leaders and managers

Staff speak highly of the management team and the support they receive. Supervision takes place regularly for all staff and more frequently for any new staff in their probation period. Staff are positive about working at the home.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager and staff are strong advocates for the children. The registered manager appropriately challenges professionals she believes are not acting in the child’s best interests. For one child, this has ensured that he has not been moved to a new home that cannot meet his needs.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has positive working relationships with other professionals including social workers. Social workers are kept up to date and they recognise the positive care children receive.

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Leaders and managers

Overall, the registered manager has met the previous requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection. However, one recommendation is outstanding. This relates to the statement of purpose containing the correct information about the admission criteria. The registered manager was rectifying this at the time of the visit.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has good review and monitoring systems in place. An independent visitor has continued to monitor the home remotely during the pandemic. The reports are detailed and informative. The independent visitor does not always detail their opinion as to whether children are safeguarded, and their well-being is met.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the statement of purpose contains up- to-date information. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.6) Assurance visit report: 1271234 4  The registered person should ensure that the monthly independent visitor report has a clear statement detailing if children are safeguarding and if their well-being is promoted whilst living in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Care (uk) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 263 Nottingham Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG7 7DA

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Inspector

Lisa O’Donovan, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 1271234 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

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