Children's home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2645906 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives 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 is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a suitably experienced registered manager.

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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: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2645906 2

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children's home: 2645906 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home was registered in October 2021. This is the first full inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive sensitive and nurturing care from an experienced staff team. The manager and staff work tirelessly to help children build trusting relationships with them. They achieve this through empathy and firm boundaries. Staff do not give up on children when they are experiencing difficult times and children remain at the centre of everything staff do. As a result, children are making good progress in all areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have developed highly individualised care plans which are underpinned by trauma-informed practice. Children have access to their care plans and contribute to them through setting and reviewing their own goals. The staff have devised creative ways to record the progress that children make, which is shared with them regularly. This helps children value their achievements and increase their self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress with education. One child is attending school full time. The manager and staff are working constructively with relevant external agencies to support another child to return to school after a period of poor attendance. There are other learning opportunities provided in the home. Children’s meetings have an educational element where staff encourage children to learn about cultural events. This helps children to increase their general knowledge.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff are attentive to children’s emotional and physical health. Children are supported to attend health appointments. They have access to an in- house psychotherapist. One child is receiving regular, ongoing support from the therapist which is helping her to develop new ways to manage her emotional well- being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to see their family and friends. One child sees his brother daily and he is welcomed into the home. Another child has rebuilt her relationships with family members who live some distance away. She is now able to enjoy overnight stays with them. The manager and staff provided good support with these arrangements because they know how important time with family is for children’s emotional development.

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

The manager and staff understand the risks posed to and from children well. They have a good understanding of children’s histories and the impact of their life experiences on their behaviour. This knowledge provides the foundation for well- informed risk assessments. When new risks emerge, assessments are updated. The ensures that staff have accurate information to protect children from harm. Inspection report for children's home: 2645906 4 The manager ensures that the physical environment of the home is well maintained and keeps children safe. When required, the manager and staff take action to prevent children coming to harm. They are currently addressing a particular issue of a child smoking in their bedroom. The staff have been persistent in challenging this behaviour. However, it has been difficult to make long-term change. The manager has now engaged the support of the fire service to increase efforts to prevent

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

Staff use their skills and knowledge of children to keep incidents to a minimum. Their practice in this area is supported by the psychotherapist, which means that incidents are managed by a therapeutically informed approach. When incidents have occurred, they are managed safely. Support is provided to children afterwards to help recovery.

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

The manager and staff work effectively with children to reduce the number of times they are missing from home. When children have been missing, staff work hard to ensure that they return safely. Some records do not reflect all actions taken in response to a child going missing. The manager has planned a staff training event to reinforce the importance of keeping detailed records.

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

Leaders and managers demonstrate transparency in their safeguarding practice. Allegations and complaints are thoroughly investigated. There is good communication with involved agencies and concerns are addressed in a timely way. Staff are recruited safely through robust procedures. As a result, children are safer.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is an experienced and resilient manager leading the home, who cares deeply about children. She has in-depth knowledge of the children’s needs, which provides the foundation to develop strong relationships with them. The manager’s compassionate and understanding approach means that children trust her and know they can rely on her.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers make careful decisions about children coming to live at the home. They ensure that the needs of children already living there are prioritised. This ensures that children have the stability and security they need to become settled and reduces the risk of children having to move on in an unplanned manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been successful in recruiting an experienced and highly motivated team. The staff enjoy working at the home. They are well supported through good- quality supervision, clinical support and relevant training. The manager provides regular opportunities for professional development, including in-house training sessions led by individual members of the team. This helps staff stay focused on the needs of the children, increase their confidence and maintain positive relationships with their colleagues. Inspection report for children's home: 2645906 5 Managers have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. When poor practice has occurred, managers investigate and take decisive action to prevent further incidents. This has improved the care children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have very good relationships with external agencies. Communication and information-sharing with involved professionals and agencies are excellent. Regular meetings take place and all agencies working with children are very well coordinated. The manager is influential in decision-making processes regarding children’s lives. Inspection report for children's home: 2645906 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are offered advice, support and guidance on health and well-being to enhance, and supplement that provided by their school through Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). Staff should have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to help children understand, and where necessary work to change negative behaviours in key areas of health and well-being. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.18)

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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: 2645906 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2645906 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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