Children's Home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC366107 1 SC366107 Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home. The home provides care for up to three children who have social and emotional difficulties and who may also have a learning disability. The company has its own school and a therapeutic team.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager post has been vacant since November 2021.

p.1

Inspection date: 3 February 2022

Date of last inspection: 20 October 2021

p.1

Inspection date: 3 February 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 3 February 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC366107 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home does not currently have a registered manager. There are no plans to recruit a new manager as the home is due to close in March 2022. As an interim arrangement, the deputy manager oversees the home on a day-to-day basis. The deputy manager is supported by an experienced manager from another home as well as the responsible individual. Despite the lack of a permanent manager, the interim management arrangements have been successful, and staff say that they are well supported.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The deputy manager is effective in her oversight of the home. The deputy manager and staff ensure that children’s files are organised and up to date. This means that there is now a clear record of the progress that children have made and the areas of further development. Well-informed care, behaviour, health and risk management plans mean that staff are provided with the guidance they need to promote children’s welfare and keep children safe.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The same children, who lived at the home at the time of the last inspection, continue to live in the home and are settled. Staff have worked hard to provide children with individualised care and support. This is helping children to make progress.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s attendance and attainment at school have improved. Staff have been successful in embedding an ethos of learning and celebrate educational achievements made by children. Because of this, one child is on target in achieving his GCSEs, and another child has been receiving awards from his school for the exceptional improvement he has made in his subjects. This shows that children are being supported with their education and thriving at school.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s relationships with staff and peers have improved. One child shared that he likes the staff, and another child shared that staff have helped him with his behaviour at home and school. Furthermore, both children spoke positively of living together and shared that they know staff would intervene if there were any concerns.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff reflect on incidents in the home and use any learning to improve how they support children. Staff have a good understanding of what may upset or worry children. Staff support children to express themselves in ways that do not cause harm to themselves or others. As a result, the use of physical intervention has reduced, as have incidents of missing from care and self-harm. Inspection report for children’s home: SC366107 3 Professionals speak positively of the deputy manager and her staff team. One social worker shared that the behaviour of the child has improved because staff have instilled a process of consequential thinking for him. This has allowed him to develop positive relationships with staff. Another social worker shared that communication with the deputy manager is good and he is made aware of what staff are doing to support the child. As a result, partnership working with external agencies is effective

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and this provides children with a positive experience of living in the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Senior managers take immediate action when there has been poor staff practice and carry out an internal investigation. Managers share the findings with the local authority designated officer and make a referral to the disclosure and barring service. Children and their social workers are kept informed of outcomes of these investigations when there have been concerns shared by them. This means that poor practice is challenged, children are listened to and safeguarding arrangements for children are effective.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a new independent visitor has been appointed. When a recommendation is made from the independent visitor, the deputy manager ensures that this is promptly addressed. The deputy manager and responsible individual have an in-depth understanding of the areas of strength and weakness and they know what they need to do to address the shortfalls.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff vacancies have meant that, on some days, more than half of the staff on duty have been non-permanent staff. One child told the inspector that he finds this disruptive. The deputy manager is working hard to minimise the impact that staff changes have for the children. For example, when non-permanent staff are used, she tries to use the same staff so as to minimise the disruption that this causes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC366107 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/01/2020 Full Outstanding 21/01/2019 Full Outstanding 20/02/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC366107 5

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that more than 50% of staff on duty are permanent members of the team, to care for children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.17)

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.5

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: SC366107 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Reflexion Care Group Ltd, Fitzroy Academy, Cruckton, Shropshire SY5 8PR

p.6

Inspector

Sam Dulay-Kainth, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC366107 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7