Children's Home run by Consensus Support Services Limited in Suffolk

Inspection report for children's home: SC386258 1 SC386258 Registered provider: Consensus Support Services 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 provides residential care for up to six disabled children.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since 2015.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 7 October 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on the Ofsted 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: 26 February 2020

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC386258 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/02/2020 Full Good 31/01/2019 Full Outstanding 21/09/2017 Full Good 29/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: SC386258 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are six children living at the home. The manager works closely with families and social workers to complete detailed assessments of the children’s experiences prior to them moving into the home. This helps staff to understand the children’s needs and histories and to build relationships with them. Staff know the children well. Children feel valued and understood by the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use a wide range of communication methods to talk with and listen to children. Staff receive training in different methods of communication. They understand that behaviour is how children express their wishes and feelings. Incidents are low because the staff know the children well and understand what they need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s care plans are detailed and include realistic targets. A parent said, ‘My child is making progress. He is calmer and more settled, and this has helped with his anxiety.’ Staff understand children’s starting points and encourage them to achieve. One child has achieved a certificate in ballroom dancing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Four children attend school, and their attendance is good. Two children attend college part time. When they are not at college, staff help one child to participate in volunteering opportunities and one child is helped with independence skills in the community. Two children go to school on a local bus, supported by staff. This helps them to feel part of the community. Staff help children to progress in their education by supporting them with their homework and attending education reviews.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children with their physical and mental health. Staff have helped one child to make significant progress and overcome an entrenched health condition through the use of social stories. A social worker said that progress has been made with another child’s mobility because the staff help him to exercise. Another child had surgery. The staff worked closely with the social worker to plan how to support him in hospital and with his aftercare.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide a wide range of activities for children. Children have been camping and on trips to London and to local attractions. Staff celebrate children’s birthdays with parties. Families are encouraged to take part in activities. One family spent Christmas with their child in the annex of the home. Children who have left the home are invited back to summer parties. This helps children to maintain their relationships with staff and children at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to spend time with their families and friends. One child attended his friend’s 18th birthday party. A parent said, ‘It doesn’t feel like the staff have taken my child away. I can visit or call when I want.’ Inspection report for children's home: SC386258 4

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

Staff work closely with social workers to protect children. A social worker said, ‘Communication with me is brilliant.’ The manager takes immediate action to safeguard children. Children are protected from harm by staff who understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

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

Staff follow individualised risk assessments to protect children. Risk assessments are tailored to each activity. This makes them easy to read and clearly identifies specific hazards for children. Children are encouraged to take developmentally appropriate risks.

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

The manager and staff work closely with the positive behaviour support team to create strategies to help children communicate their wishes and feelings. One child’s risks of self-harm have reduced significantly since living at the home. The staff have helped him to talk about his feelings. Staff know how to help children when they feel worried or anxious. Staff are consistent in their approach, which helps children to feel safe.

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

The use of restraint is low. When incidents occur, the use of restraint is proportionate and low level. Restraint is used as a last resort. Staff are trained in positive behaviour support approaches. The manager has good oversight of restraint records, which she monitors closely.

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

The home’s location assessment has been written in conjunction with the local police. The assessment details areas of risk and how staff will reduce the impact of these on children. Children are safe when accessing the local community.

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

Children live in a safe environment. Children’s bedrooms are personalised, with their belongings nicely displayed. They have access to resources and equipment which are maintained to a good standard. The garden and annex provide additional spaces for children to use.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. The responsible individual supports the manager to monitor the service and outcomes for children. Staff and children benefit from stability in the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is well staffed. The use of agency staff is low. This provides consistency of care for children, who benefit from stability and routine.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children well. Plans for children moving in and out are detailed. The staff have, at times, travelled long distances to meet children who are moving into the home. A parent said, ‘The staff rescued my child.’ Children are welcomed to the home by staff who have planned well for their care. Inspection report for children's home: SC386258 5 Since the last inspection, the manager has made improvements in recruitment checks. New staff receive a detailed induction, which includes shadowing a permanent staff member on shift. This helps children to build relationships with new staff, who work as part of a team that they already know.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are trained to meet the children’s needs. Most staff have achieved a relevant level 3 diploma and other staff are within timescales to achieve it. Children are cared for by suitably qualified staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager consults with families to improve the service. Levels of communication are good. This partnership working helps to plan children’s care effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and appraisal. This provides them with the space to reflect on their skills and the care provided to children. Staff feel supported by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the manager worked closely with health colleagues to source protective clothing and testing for staff. Staff provided routines for children when they were unable to attend school. The manager used the spaces in the home to create areas in which the children could learn. The staff have helped children to understand about vaccinations and how to keep themselves safe by washing hands and social distancing. Inspection report for children's home: SC386258 6

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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 for children's home: SC386258 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Consensus Support Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 654 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester CO4 9YQ

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Inspector

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC386258 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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