Children's Home run by A and R Guardian Services Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2645675 1 Registered provider: A&R Guardian Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in August 2021. It provides care for one child who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified, experienced and registered.

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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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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2645675 2

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2645675 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since opening, the home has accommodated two children. One child left when it became clear he required a more specialist provision. His social worker praised the work of the manager and staff because it led to a better understanding of his needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child currently living at the home has formed good relationships with staff. Her interactions with staff are warm and caring. Staff speak about the child in a warm and affectionate manner. Staff are compassionate, thoughtful and treat the child in a in a way that any good parent would.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are direct in their approach. They set clear, yet realistic, expectations in respect of behavioural boundaries and day-to-day care routines. The child is responding positively and adapting well to staff expectations. This is providing the child with a good routine and stability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s views are taken into consideration in all aspects of her life. The managers and staff explain the reason for decisions. Individual meetings with the child and house meetings are used to address any issues or concerns. Individual meetings with the child take place frequently, often daily, and are recorded in detail. This ensures that all staff are aware of the discussions and work that has been completed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not yet attending school, and there is no education provision identified for the child. The delay was incurred following a school withdrawing the offer of a place. Staff and external professionals are working together on applications to new schools. Tuition is scheduled to start, pending an education placement being secured.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made some good progress. This is particularly in relation to her emotional, social and psychological well-being. There is also a noticeable reduction in harmful and risk-taking behaviour. She has an improved understanding of her family dynamics and history. This helps the child to understand her identity and the reasons why she is in care. The child’s social worker said, ‘This is one of the best placements [child’s name] has lived in.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the child has been at the home, some health issues have been identified. Staff are working closely with the specialist nurse for children in care. Staff have encouraged the child to have a healthier and more active lifestyle. The manager and staff liaise, to good effect, with a counselling service, whose counsellors see the child. This assists staff with identifying strategies that will support the child to make good progress with her emotional well-being. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645675 4 Good and pro-active care planning means the child knows she will remain at the home in the longer term and work towards independence. The child is placed at some distance from her home area. The staff facilitates visits to family in accordance with agreed plans. This ensures that the child retains family connections in a safe way.

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

Ofsted received complaints about the behaviour of a child. These complaints raised concerns about the effectiveness of the home’s behaviour management strategies and the ability of staff to manage the child’s behaviour. The manager has been proactive. She has provided Ofsted with the required information on how the staff team is managing this child’s behaviour. This enables Ofsted to have clarity over the actions taken to support this child.

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

One child had difficulties with substance misuse. The staff have worked with him to tackle these issues with substances. The staff have removed substances and paraphernalia to keep the child safe. The child has become compliant with these checks. However, despite the best efforts of staff, they were unable to manage his aggressive behaviour. This increase in his aggressive behaviour led to him leaving the home. The child’s social worker said: ‘I can’t fault them [staff]. They tried their best, even removing items. No other placement had done this. It helped us know the extent of his drug use.’

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

Staff are reflective in their approaches to care. They consider children’s previous experiences and the impact of these experiences on children’s behaviour and presentation. Children who harm themselves have reduced this behaviour. The staff and children develop a good rapport. This has supported staff to instil and maintain clear behavioural boundaries. These clear and strong boundaries help the child, currently in place, to feel secure.

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

Risk assessments are thorough and incorporate all the known and potential risks. Staff incorporate into risk assessments what may lay behind a child’s poor language and negative behaviour.

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

Staff training includes the various aspects of safeguarding. Staff feel confident in working through concerns, such as self-harm. This has been enhanced by specialist training, sourced by the manager. The manager has arranged regular clinical supervision for the team. This is because she acknowledges the impact the work can have on staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager prides herself on ensuring that children feel loved and cared for. She and the deputy manager have changed the ethos within the team. Several staff have left because they didn’t share this ethos. Subsequently, new staff have been employed. The team is diverse in age, origin and experience. This is helping the child develop a greater understanding of care provided by a diverse staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645675 5 The manager and her team are ambitious for the child. They ensure that the child knows she will be with them for the longer term. The managers are great advocates for the child. They ensure that the right services are in place to meet her needs and help her progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a clear development plan for the home, which encompasses staff training. The manager has worked with the placing local authority to identify child-specific training for staff. The manager is reflective. She continually adapts processes and the relevant documentation completed by staff. This ensures that documents are accurate and reflect the specific needs of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff describe the manager as ‘a beautiful person and very supportive’. She and her deputy provide a supportive environment in which staff develop and are happy in their jobs. New staff describe good inductions. They feel supported. Managers provide them with the oversight and direction they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that the members of the team work closely together. She also maintains close effective partnerships with external professional agencies. These agencies report that there is good communication from the home and coordination of care. This means the child is supported by a range of agencies with well- coordinated care plans. This will help the child to go on making progress in a happy home environment. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645675 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: 2645675 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: A&R Guardian Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Eastgate House Office 3 First Floor, 19–23 Humberstone Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE5 3GJ

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Inspectors

Sonia Hay, Social Care Inspector Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2645675 8 regulates and inspects 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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