Children's home run by Northridge Care Group Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2640099 1 Registered provider: Northridge 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 registered with Ofsted in July 2021 and is owned by a private company. The home offers care for up to three children who have experienced childhood instability which has resulted in trauma and associated complex behaviours or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since the home opened in July 2021. She holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report children’s home: 2640099 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report children’s home: 2640099 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home opened, three children have moved into the home and one child has moved out. This was unplanned. Where possible the registered manager arranges to visit children before they move in. Children can visit the home and choose their preferred bedroom. They are provided with a child-friendly guide about the care they will receive. This practice helps children to settle quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote the importance of education well. They listen to children about their preferred learning environment and work with professionals to review children’s education arrangements. When there are barriers to children accessing education, staff promote learning at the home. This helps children to maintain a daily routine that includes education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical health is good. Staff support children to access local health services when required. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there is a delay for one child in registering with a local dentist.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All staff are trained in managing medication. They keep accurate records on medication administered to children and ensure that medicines are stored safely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers ensure that children keep in touch with people who are important to them. On one occasion, the registered manager supported a child to access an independent advocate. As a result, the child now spends more time with a family member.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to access a range of activities that they enjoy. Since moving into the home, one child continues to attend a sporting group that they have been part of for a long time. This means they are able to maintain friendships, improve their fitness and excel in their sport.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Before a child’s admission to the home, the registered manager assesses if the needs of the child can be met. However, the registered manager’s recording of admission assessments is inconsistent. For one child there is no record of the assessment taking place. Despite this, it was clear that measures were put in place prior to the child’s admission to ensure they received suitable care. Consideration as to the suitability of the home’s location and staff’s skills is not always captured. The lack of recording has not affected the care children receive.

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

The registered manager and staff have a good understanding of children’s behaviours. Children’s plans support staff to identify and reduce risks. This means children benefit from a consistent approach to how staff support behaviours. Inspection report children’s home: 2640099 4 Staff are trained to use physical intervention. This is used on rare occasions to prevent injury and damage to property. Staff keep records of incidents, which are reviewed by the registered manager. Managers help children and staff to reflect on incidents. This allows children to develop skills to manage their emotions in a way that is helpful to them.

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

On the rare occasion when children go missing from home, staff respond well. For example, staff try to keep in contact with the child and search for them. They share their concerns with people who can help to find the child. Staff support children to return home and ensure that they are welcomed back. Children are supported to speak with an independent person. This provides a safe space for children to speak about things that may be worrying them and helps to keep children safe.

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

Staff help children to recognise risks and make decisions that help to keep themselves safe. For example, staff speak to children about substance misuse and exploitation. On one occasion, arrangements were put in place for a child to complete a course on knife crime. This helped the child to reflect on the impact that knife crime has on victims, their family members and offenders.

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

Children’s access to the internet is individually assessed and agreed with parents and social workers. Both children can access the home’s WI-FI. Parental restrictions are in place to reduce the risk of online abuse or exploitation. This allows children to enjoy surfing the internet safely.

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

The registered manager ensures that the home is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Damaged furniture is replaced or repaired quickly so children can enjoy living in a relaxing and homely environment. Routine health and safety checks are completed.

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

Staff use rewards to recognise when children do well. Unacceptable behaviours are reinforced by sanctions. These are not always effective in improving children’s behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager ensures that children receive individual care that takes account of their personal circumstances. Children’s views and wishes are heard by managers who take concerns raised by children seriously. As a result, children feel listened to and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager uses effective monitoring systems to assess the quality of care provided to children who live at the home. As a result, the manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas she wants to develop. Her vision for the home is clear and is understood by staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by the registered manager, who ensures that all staff receive regular supervision sessions. This helps staff to reflect on their practice. Team meetings are effective in supporting staff to share their thoughts and ideas about Inspection report children’s home: 2640099 5 the care children receive and how the home runs. This creates a culture of reflection and learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most staff hold a relevant qualification or are completing one. The registered manager ensures that staff receive induction training that supports them to fulfil their role and meet the individual needs of children who live at the home. For example, staff receive training on children’s diagnosis. This means that children are cared for by knowledgeable and experienced staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and staff work well with parents and professionals who are involved in the children’s lives. Where the registered manager finds concerns, she raises these appropriately with the local authority to ensure that the welfare of the child is promoted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager ensures that staff are proactive in promoting equality and diversity. Staff encourage children to participate in discussions and activities that support them to understand the world they live in. Inspection report children’s home: 2640099 6

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Recommendations

 The registered manager should ensure that any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour. In particular, the registered manager should ensure that financial reparations are achievable and are effective in managing behaviours. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. In particular, the registered manager should ensure that decisions made to admit children into the home are recorded and take into consideration the home’s location and staff’s skills and experience relevant to the child needing care. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4) Inspection report children’s home: 2640099 7

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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 children’s home: 2640099 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northridge Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fylde House, Skyways Commercial Campus, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool FY4 3RS

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Inspector

Helen Malanaphy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2640099 9 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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