Children's home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

Inspection report children's home: 2593071 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It provides care for up to 3 children with emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we sus- pended 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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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report children's home: 2593071 2

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outstanding

Children receive exceptional standards of care from staff who cherish and nurture them. Children thrive in a loving environment. The manager and staff are highly attuned to the children’s needs. Care and affection are shown to the children in ways they can accept and enjoy, and this helps them develop strong bonds with staff. The staff approach the children’s care with humour, understanding, good boundaries and playfulness. The manager and staff are enhancing the life chances of children through intuitive and innovative practice.

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outstanding

Children talk enthusiastically about the manager and staff. Together, they have built enduring relationships which last over time, even when the children leave the home. These relationships have helped the children to begin healing from earlier painful life experiences. One child said, ‘The staff have made me the person I am today,’ and, ‘I know they care because I can feel it.’

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outstanding

Children are attaining qualifications in education. One child has successfully achieved several GCSEs and is now planning to go to university. Staff have supported children effectively to make progress in full-time education, even following children missing several years of education. For one child who had high levels of anxiety, this is an outstanding achievement.

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outstanding

The manager and staff provide excellent support for children’s health needs. They help children overcome any anxieties about medical appointments. Consequently, children begin to trust professionals and accept essential treatment to improve their health and well-being.

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outstanding

Children take part in regular activities. These include adventure parks and special events. There are arrangements in place for family and friends to visit. The manager and staff have created evocative memory books. This means children can revisit the valuable times they have spent with those close to them. As a result, children will have good, lasting memories.

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outstanding

The managers and staff create opportunities for children to fully participate in the running of the home in ways that are meaningful to them. Children are involved in the recruitment of staff, including the interview process. One child, following a debate with staff, created a detailed guide about gender and sexuality. This is written to a high standard and has been disseminated within the company.

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outstanding

Children are encouraged to become independent. Staff teach children how to cook and take care of themselves, and they are given age-appropriate responsibilities. The manager and staff provide extensive support when children are ready to move on. They achieve this through remarkable levels of emotional support and practical help. One member of staff has devised an illustrated guide to moving home. This is Inspection report children's home: 2593071 3 an invaluable tool for children of all abilities who are moving to independence. Consequently, children feel empowered and grow in confidence.

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

The manager and staff understand the risks for children well. They have considerable knowledge of the children’s experiences, which they use to develop and maintain detailed risk assessments. These are updated and reviewed regularly in conjunction with other agencies. This ensures children are well protected.

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

The manager and staff undertake regular direct work with children to help them increase their understanding of different types of harm. Children have planned key- work sessions and ‘situational’ conversations on car journeys or when a concern arises. Staff are skilled in choosing the timing of conversations. As a result, children become safer.

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

Staff use their skills and their knowledge of children to keep incidents to a minimum. They maintain a sense of harmony in the home which prevents situations from escalating. Children and staff are proud of their relationships, and this leads to very little conflict. This creates stability and security for children.

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

The manager has established a consistent staff team that requires minimal support from agencies. Staff are recruited safely which prevents unfamiliar or unvetted adults from caring for children. If children need reassurance at any time, there is always someone available. Consequently, children feel safe and secure.

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

Children rarely go missing from the home. When this happens, the manager and staff work tirelessly with family and safeguarding agencies to return children safely. One social worker commended the staff on their commitment to finding children and said: ‘They clearly care deeply about children.’ This level of dedication protects children from exploitation and criminal activity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have created an ethos to change children’s lives. This is not just an idea; the ethos is actively translated into the day-to-day care of the children. It unifies the team providing a shared vision. This helps to keep the team focused on the needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has recruited an experienced and diverse staff team. Each member of staff brings individuality which enriches the quality of care. Children benefit from staff’s range of skills and cultural influences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff are inspired to carry out their work to a high standard. There is a thorough induction for new staff, with regular reflective supervision. Training is relevant to the needs of the children. There are opportunities for further training and development for all staff. The staff benefit from regular supervision where they feel able to discuss the impact of their work. This has helped to maintain a core of stable and Inspection report children's home: 2593071 4 cohesive staff who have exceptional energy and passion for their work, which helps children develop and grow.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff have commendable relationships with external agencies. Pro- fessionals describe the home as ‘brilliant’ and ‘amazing’. Communication and infor- mation-sharing with involved professionals and agencies are excellent. Regular meetings take place and all agencies working with children are very well-coordi- nated. This means children receive the help and support they need to progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager takes great pride in how she involves children in their care. She leads by example by regularly consulting with the children and acting on what they say. Children’s lives have improved significantly because of the care they receive. They are happy and content and have considerable trust in the manager. Inspection report children's home: 2593071 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2593071 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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