Children's home run by Flourish (Gloucestershire) Limited

Inspection report children's home: 2557920 1 Registered provider: Flourish (Gloucestershire) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This privately operated home provides care for up to four children and young people aged up to 18 years with a learning disability.

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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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Information about this children's home

We last visited this setting on 10 February 2021 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on our website.

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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 registration

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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: 2557920 2

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Recent inspection history

None Inspection report children's home: 2557920 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress because of strong, safe and nurturing relationships with their carers. Staff have the energy and commitment necessary to create a happy home for the children, especially in the context of several lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. All the children make progress in key areas linked to personal and emotional growth. In turn, this supports attendance and achievements at school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children move comfortably between members of staff. High levels of trust make more difficult conversations easier. For example, work with the children on puberty, race and gender has been done sensitively. Key members of staff work well alongside therapists to support children through complex personal issues, including early childhood trauma.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children grow in confidence and independence with staff using creative approaches to financial planning and responsibility. Pets are an important part of the household. Staff plan varied experiences that challenge the children to try new things as well as more of what they already like. Children have opportunities to save, travel independently, choose furniture, go on holiday, see their family, sew, swim and gain extra rewards for kindness and sharing. The home is filled with lots of laughter.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children leave the home to live somewhere else, this change is managed well, particularly when plans must be accelerated. Staff make follow up visits and stay connected with children, including the handing on of positive memories. Preparation for moving figures largely in the planning from when children arrive.

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

Managers and staff have a clear understanding of risk and how to reduce the potential for children suffering harm. Risk management plans evolve as children’s needs change. Staff all have a clear idea of how to calm down situations and avoid physical intervention whenever possible through an effective range of techniques.

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

In recent months, periods of uncertainty for some of the children resulted in more frequent incidents of unrest. Staff responded appropriately keeping the children, each other and the public safe from harm. Managers complete debriefing sessions with the children and the staff and learn from each incident, adapting their responses accordingly.

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

The registered manager has introduced training and consultancy on children’s attachments. The staff increasingly use this knowledge to predict how children will respond to triggers and stressful situations. Inspection report children's home: 2557920 4 Risks linked to sexuality, identity, culture and race are openly discussed and challenged both in terms of risks to children and to others. Family time is handled sensitively with appropriate levels of staff support for children when they go, return and are processing the emotions connected with this.

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

Staff help children to keep themselves safe in the online world. The registered manager uses technology to monitor internet use and to help children make positive, safe choices about what they are doing. When children feel the need to harm themselves staff respond with compassion and understanding.

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

Children have clear routines for regular activities such as bedtime, school and meals. This consistency creates a safe space for children to disclose things that matter to them or cause them pain and stress. Children know about consequences that are not just material things but also emotional and relational.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager inspires staff to put themselves in children’s shoes when responding to their needs. Children make trusting relationships with staff because of this approach. He has successfully created a nurturing and stable staff team with a breadth of skills and experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Planning is done in a way that ensures children understand how they are making progress. The registered manager has tailored the electronic recording system to make tracking progress simple and meaningful to children and their families.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager advocates successfully for children and has positive relationships with other agencies. This is particularly effective when children experience delay in decisions about their care status and permanence. Decisive action is taken by senior leaders when children can no longer live together safely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The senior staff promote sensitive and safe contact between children and family members. Parents, former carers and other professionals are very positive about regular communication and the high standard of care that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are supported informally through regular reflection and guidance. Most members of staff receive regular supervision, but this is not consistent across all levels of seniority.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager involves the children and the staff in development plans. The registered manager has a thorough understanding of the strengths of the service and where there are areas for improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A cohesive and supportive staff team works together to develop creative ways to grow the children’s confidence and self-esteem while preparing them for life in the wider community. Through the challenges of COVID-19 and increased volatility in Inspection report children's home: 2557920 5 the home, they have remained focused on the children and embraced training opportunities that give them enhanced skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children are actively involved in choices about their day-to-day living and the development of the home. They are involved in staff recruitment, for example. Children are supported to communicate ideas and feelings through photographs, video, augmented communication techniques and warm relationships with managers. Inspection report children's home: 2557920 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the 'Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards'. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

33. (4) The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

(a) undertake appropriate continuing professional development

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Requirement Due date

(b) receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. 01/12/2021

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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: 2557920 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Flourish (Gloucestershire) Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 27 Westend Office Suites, Westend, Stonehouse, GL10 3FA

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Samantha Summers

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Inspector(s)

Steve Lowe, Her Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2557920 8 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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