Children's Home run by Footsteps to Futures Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report children’s home: 2598648 1 Registered provider: Footsteps to Futures Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2598648 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive good-quality support and care from a dedicated staff team. They feel included in all aspects of their care and make progress in all areas of their lives, which leads to positive outcomes. For some, this might mean plans to return to live with birth family. Staff have a thorough understanding of the children’s needs and they are aware that many children have complex histories. Staff work at the pace of children and family members, to bring about positive changes for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff team works closely and proactively with involved agencies and professionals. A particular strength is how well staff have worked with family members, for example by supporting family visits, attending meetings and through telephone calls. One involved professional stated, ‘They [staff] always come to meetings. They know the child inside and out. They advocate for them at all times.’ A parent of one child stated, ‘My child is happy because staff listen to her.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have all their physical and emotional health needs met. Staff support and encourage them to attend routine health appointments. They ensure that children’s emotional and mental health needs receive attention. Children learn the importance of looking after themselves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education provisions. Some children have a history of not engaging in education. Staff work at their pace to gradually reintroduce them to formal education. Staff work with education providers and the virtual school to identify the most suitable provision. This has brought about noticeable improvements in attendance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know and understand their rights. Staff share all relevant information with them so that they feel fully included in the care they receive. Involved agencies regularly praise the staff team for acting as strong and positive advocates for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have worked hard during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure that children have fun and positive experiences. They have supported them to keep in touch with family and significant others. Staff regularly transport children to see family members, often at a distance from the home. They provide the children with new opportunities, which increases their confidence and sense of belonging.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff understand the risks posed to and from children well. The staff demonstrate a detailed understanding of the known history of each child. They put in place thorough risk assessments and plans. Over time, this is leading to reduced risks for Inspection report children’s home: 2598648 3 children, and they become safer. The work carried out to increase the potential for some children to return to live with family members again is commendable.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff follow missing-from-care procedures well when children go missing from the home. They understand and act on any concerns relating to child exploitation, bullying or other forms of abuse. They work closely with involved agencies to review and update risk assessments and plans. Children understand what staff do and that their focus is always on ensuring their safety.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff support children to manage their own behaviours. Children understand the rules and boundaries and the reasons for them. In preparation for children moving on, staff support them to take well-managed, age-appropriate risks. This includes spending time away from the home without staff supervision. This reflects the commitment of staff in preparing children for the future.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There has been no use of physical intervention since the home opened. Staff use de-escalation techniques well to support children. There have also been no complaints. Children feel able to speak with staff and managers about any concerns they may have. They report confidence in their views being taken seriously and acted on.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Robust recruitment and selection procedures prevent unsuitable adults from working with vulnerable children. Staff understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. There have been no allegations made against staff since the home opened. Links have been formed with the local police and designated officer. Managers understand their responsibilities and have provided training to staff on the role of the designated officer. This promotes a confident and competent staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers show real ambition for the children in their care. They demonstrate a commendable understanding of children’s complex histories and needs. Managers provide very high standards of care and support to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers fully understand the journey of each child in their care. They advocate for them and challenge involved agencies to ensure that children receive the right care and support. Creative plans, and means of engaging with children, lead to significant improvements for them. Managers appreciate the challenges children in care face and work to increase their confidence. This has included devising bespoke plans to help re-engage children in education. Managers and staff go over and above their roles. They do not give up on children and they celebrate their successes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel highly motivated and happy in their roles. They receive excellent supervision and support. Training provides them with the necessary skills to support children with complex needs. Staff also have sessions with an independent therapist. This provides them with a regular opportunity to discuss the children and how best to meet their needs. Staff morale is high, which is reflected in how staff and children present in the home. Inspection report children’s home: 2598648 4 Management monitoring and tracking of all aspects of the care provided to children are excellent. Regular checks and audits carried out by the manager are supported by outstanding documentation and records. The manager is an inspirational leader, who takes great pride in knowing the children’s and staff’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Inter-agency working is outstanding. Staff and managers have formed commendable relationships with a range of agencies since the home opened. Managers always advocate for children. They challenge any actual or perceived failure by professionals in meeting children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children are fully included in the care and support they receive. Staff and managers regularly seek their views, wishes and feelings. Managers encourage children to read and comment on their records. They act on what children say. Children’s lives have been improved significantly due to the support they receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No shortfalls were identified at this inspection. Inspection report children’s home: 2598648 5

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: 2598648 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Footsteps to Futures Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Chesterfield House, 1 Station Street, Bingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG13 8AQ

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Inspector

Tracy Murty, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2598648 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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