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Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)

Children's Home run by Your Chapter Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspected 15 Feb 2022 · published 1 Apr 2022 · URN 1027164

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Original PDF ↗

Summary

Outstanding

Sarah Oldham

What we read, and from where

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  • Group verified

    Care 4 Children Residential Services Limited

  • Inspection date verified

    15 Feb 2022

  • Inspectors verified

    Sarah Oldham

  • Helped and protected verified

    Outstanding

  • Leadership and management verified

    Outstanding

  • Overall effectivenesssingle source

    Outstanding

  • Name on report verified

    1027164

  • URN verified

    1027164

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2019.

  • OverallOutstanding
  • Helped and protectedOutstanding
  • Leadership and managementOutstanding

12% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Outstanding (12,716 inspections).

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+69Positivemore positive than 13% of reports of this type graded Outstanding
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

Reads more critically than most reports of this type graded Outstanding.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praiseexcellentexceptionallyoutstandingexceptionalpositivehighly effectiveconsistentlyhappy
Criticismrisk of harmconcernsnot alwayslimitednot warm

How the report reads, start to finish

Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.

FindingsAbout the inspectionWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings1556w+73
  • What needs to improve140w−50

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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What the report dwells on

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Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
10
Words of findings
1,678
about usual (typical 1354)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 49, typical 49
Average sentence
16 words
Next steps
3
typical 1
Hedged sentences
1%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 73%What needs to improve 7%About the inspection 21%

Full report text

Inspection report children's home: 1027164 1 Registered provider: Care 4 Children Residential Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to six children. The provider states in their statement of purpose that they specialise in supporting children who have suffered sexual trauma through abuse and exploitation, and children who display harmful sexual behaviour.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2017.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is a school on the same site. The inspector only inspected the social care provision at this site.

p.1

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.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 4 March 2021 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

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. Inspection report children's home: 1027164 2 Date of last inspection: 23 April 2019

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.2

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 1027164 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2019 Full Outstanding 08/05/2018 Full Outstanding 30/08/2017 Full Outstanding 31/01/2017 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 1027164 4

p.3

outstanding

Children have exceptionally positive relationships with staff at the home. This supports them to feel confident, happy, safe and well supported, which contributes to the exceptional progress they make in their social, emotional and behavioural development. Each child has a highly individualised care package which is tailored to meet their own unique needs. They benefit from clear and consistent boundaries which further support their progress. However, these do not replace the warm and nurturing approach which further contributes to their ongoing progress and development.

p.4

outstanding

The manager undertakes comprehensive planning and assessment of needs when offering a placement for each child. This is to make sure that staff have the appropriate skills and experience, while also considering the needs of the other children. This contributes to the stability of each child’s placement and further supports their overall outcomes.

p.4

outstanding

Staff have high aspirations for the children. They work in partnership with other professionals to ensure that children receive high-quality support in all areas of care and development. This includes working alongside education, health and clinical therapists as well as children’s placing authorities.

p.4

outstanding

Social workers report that the care and support that the children receive and the progress that they make are excellent. One social worker said:

p.4

outstanding

‘Since [name of child] has lived here, the progress he has made, and continues to make, is exceptionally good. Staff have supported him and helped him manage his behaviours and risks as well as supporting him to prepare for his future. He has been given the skills and strategies to use and staff have worked with other agencies to help plan his transition on to adult services. I cannot think of anything the staff could have done to support him any better.’

p.4

outstanding

‘Communication, planning and the level of care and support given to [name of child] has greatly enhanced his future life chances. The overall service is an excellent resource. All staff demonstrate commitment and dedication to helping children achieve their very best outcomes.’

p.4

outstanding

All children attend the organisation’s school, which is based in the grounds of the home. Attendance levels are consistently high and children achieve a wide range of qualifications, including ASDAN, GCSEs and A levels. Education, care and clinical staff hold regular multi-disciplinary team meetings to enable consistency of care to Inspection report children's home: 1027164 5 be followed, giving children appropriate boundaries. This approach contributes to providing children with structure and stability while also being nurturing and caring.

p.4

outstanding

Children are registered with community healthcare professionals, including doctors, dentists and opticians. In addition, the children’s nurse visits the home monthly, undertaking healthcare assessments and offering guidance and support to children in relation to health-related concerns. Through discussions with staff, and observation of practice, she feels that the staff are proactive in promoting and supporting the general health and well-being of the children. Staff encourage this through the children’s diet, promoting exercise and encouraging them to make positive healthy choices.

p.5

outstanding

Children access a wide range of activities at the home and in the community. For example, they play football in the grounds of the home, have use of two trampolines and are in the process of being involved in the development of a sandpit. In the home, there is a wide range of toys and play equipment for the children to use and share with one another. Children also visit local community resources, including the library, go fishing and use local parks and recreation areas. Special treats are also included, such as trips to karaoke venues, trampolining parks and theme parks. Staff encourage and support children to take part in leisure activities which are accessible and which they can budget for so they can continue to enjoy them when they leave the home.

p.5

outstanding

Children are supported to keep in touch with their parents, families and those people significant to them. One parent said: ‘Staff are good at supporting contact and at keeping my child safe. He is very happy at the home.’

p.5

outstanding

All children at the home have comprehensive risk management plans in place. These are developed in conjunction with the placing authority risk assessments and any specific requirements ordered by a court.

p.5

outstanding

The manager and staff recognise and understand each child’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. The risk assessments are working documents that are kept under constant review and are revised and updated to reflect new and emerging risks as well as recognising when risks have decreased. Children confirm that they feel safe, and they are included in reviewing their risk management strategies. They feel able to share any concerns or worries they may have. One child said: ‘I can talk to staff about anything. They make me feel safe and help me if I am worried about anything. I am really happy living here.’

p.5

outstanding

Through individual therapeutic sessions, children are supported to explore past experiences which are often very difficult for them. Children feel exceptionally well supported and complete the home’s model of care. This further underpins their knowledge, helping them to make progress and increasing their overall safety. Inspection report children's home: 1027164 6 Children’s behaviours are managed well through the implementation of consistent boundaries across home and school. Physical interventions are only used if there is a risk of harm to the child or others. Since September 2020, there have been 16 incidents of restraint in relation to three children. These have been appropriate to reduce the risk of harm. All have been recorded appropriately, and the manager has had clear oversight of these. Strategies implemented have ensured that the level of restraints has continually reduced and children’s behaviour has been supported well.

p.5

outstanding

Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of safeguarding. All staff have had appropriate training to keep their skills and knowledge updated.

p.6

outstanding

The home adheres to safer recruitment practice to ensure that people appointed to work in the home are suitable to be employed and do not pose a risk to children.

p.6

outstanding

Health and safety is monitored effectively. Regular fire drills are conducted, with all children and staff aware of the procedures to follow. Evacuation of the home is completed in a timely manner. Regular servicing and maintenance of equipment take place. The manager ensures that any maintenance issues are identified and addressed in a timely manner.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a suitably qualified and experienced manager in post, having been registered since March 2017. She provides inspirational, child-centred leadership and management, promoting positive outcomes for the children. She is supported by an experience and qualified deputy manager. The dedicated staff team provides high levels of care and support to the children. All staff undertake a range of training and development to make sure that their practice and knowledge are of a consistently high standard, informed by current research. They work alongside the clinical and educational teams to provide consistent support to the children.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Multi-disciplinary team meetings focus on each child’s needs. Progress is clearly measurable through individual plans and outcomes. In addition, staff receive regular and detailed supervision which further enables them to reflect on their practice.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home has excellent working relationships with placing authority social workers, who hold the manager and staff team in high regard. One placing social worker said:

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

‘The level of care and support the children receive is exceptional. Staff have made a significant difference for him. As a result, his progress has been excellent, which will contribute towards the next stage in his life.’

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager undertakes robust monitoring of the home. She has comprehensive systems in place to assist with this. Monthly visits to the home by an independent visitor further underpin the monitoring of the service, and the manager acts upon any recommendations made. The independent visitor gathers the views of parents, social workers and children as part of this visit. Inspection report children's home: 1027164 7 Following the monitoring visit in 2021, the manager has taken action to ensure that the three requirements and one recommendation have been addressed. She has reviewed and updated the assessment documentation to make sure that placements made at the home are appropriate and well matched with the children currently in placement. The damp on the wall in the bathrooms has been repaired and there are clear systems in place to notify any significant event to Ofsted in a timely manner.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager completes twice-yearly quality of care reports and forwards copies of these to the regulator. However, the views of the children are not always included in these and therefore a requirement has been made in relation to this. Inspection report children's home: 1027164 8

p.7

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.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least every 6 months.

p.8

Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

p.8

Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(b))

p.8

Requirement Due date

This particularly relates to ensuring that children’s views are routinely captured and included in the quality of care review. 30 March 2022

p.8

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: 1027164 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Care 4 Children Residential Services Limited

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Stuart Road, Bredbury Park Industrial Estate, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2SR

p.9

Inspector

Sarah Oldham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 1027164 10 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.9

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 .

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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