Children's home run by Footsteps to Futures Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2586969 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 one child/young person who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is no registered manager. A new manager has been appointed and is applying to be registered.

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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 good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: This is the first inspection since the home was registered with Ofsted in April 2020.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Not applicable.

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: Not applicable.

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good

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

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good

A monitoring visit was carried out in March 2021 after Ofsted received a complaint about the home. No significant shortfalls were identified during this visit. Inspection report children’s home: 2586969 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

In the relatively short period of time that has passed since the child moved to this home, the child has made progress in many areas of his life. He is settling in well and learning to trust the adults who care for him.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s social worker and school report excellent working relationships with the home. Information is promptly shared to ensure that he always receives consistent care. Staff have formed positive working relationships with the child’s parents, and ensure that he gets to see them regularly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff meet the child’s physical and emotional health needs. He attends all routine and other more specialist health appointments. Staff understand his needs well and ensure that they are always met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has 100% attendance at school and is engaging well. He has been able to continue attending the same school that he attended before moving to the home because staff take and collect him each day. His school states that he is much calmer, is responding better to boundaries and is taking an active role in all meetings and reviews.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child feels confident about expressing his wishes, views, and feelings. He is supported by staff to read and approve his records. He has weekly meetings with staff to agree what food will be bought and what activities he would like to do, and to resolve any issues he might have.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Despite the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the child has opportunities to engage in fun social activities. He has pets in the home, and has been taught how to care for them. He takes pride in his bedroom. He has decorated and furnished it to his personal tastes.

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

Staff fully understand the child’s particular vulnerabilities. They demonstrate a commendable knowledge of his background and the impact it has had on him. Risk assessments reflect current and changing needs. Staff regularly review and update them. This ensures consistency of care and helps the child to feel safe.

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

There have been no missing-from-care incidents for the child currently placed. For a previously placed child, staff followed agreed protocols and procedures whenever the child went missing from home. They worked closely with the police to ensure the safe return of that child. Risk assessments reflect a detailed awareness of risks posed, and include actions to be taken by staff. Inspection report children’s home: 2586969 3 Staff are confident about managing any challenging or risky behaviours shown by the child. They adapt their practice to ensure increasingly safe outcomes. They work closely with the placing authority and report any concerns or changes in behaviour promptly to involved agencies.

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

Managers have formed close and positive working relationships with the designated officer. Excellent systems for recording and monitoring any allegations or disclosures are in place. Staff report that they have confidence in managers and confidence in the process of dealing with allegations.

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

Staff recruitment procedures are robust and minimise the risk that unsuitable adults might work in this home. Managers challenge any issues or concerns with applicants and record this well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been changes in management since the home opened last year. The current manager has worked for the company for several years and has applied to register with Ofsted. She is confident, competent and is held in high regard by her staff team. She understands the needs of the child living in the home. She sets clear and high expectations for children and the staff team. The child trusts and likes the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager can describe the child’s progress since moving to the home. She is supported by an equally competent and dedicated responsible individual who regularly visits the home to support staff, managers and the child. Case records reflect a highly competent and committed team of staff. They understand the value of clear and accurate recording.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported by managers. They receive regular, good-quality, formal supervision. They are also provided with a wide range of training opportunities that are relevant to the needs of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have challenged involved agencies and professionals when necessary. They ensure that staff act as strong advocates for the child so that he receives the care, support and services that he needs. Inspection report children’s home: 2586969 4

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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: 2586969 5

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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: 2586969 6 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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