Children's home run by Absolute Children’s Services Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2544217 1 Registered provider: Absolute Children’s Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider and is registered to provide care for up to five children with social and emotional needs. The home’s statement of purpose says that the home provides care for children who present with complex and challenging needs in terms of their emotional, psychological and developmental well-being.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

This home was subject to a restriction notice between 27 October 2021 and 6 December 2021. This was due to a series of safeguarding concerns that were being investigated by external agencies. Following a monitoring visit on 6 December 2021, and satisfactory conclusion to external investigations, this restriction notice was lifted. Inspection report for children's home: 2544217 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/08/2021 Full Inadequate 06/01/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2544217 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are beginning to make progress from their starting points. Staff know the children well and they are building positive and trusting relationships. The preferred model of care is well embedded within the team. Children are provided with clear structure, routines and boundaries. This has supported the children to become more secure and settled.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most of the children have education provision in place that meets their needs. The manager has been working with other professionals to try and secure a school place for one child. Alternative arrangements for this child are currently in place and consist of in-house education and online tutoring. This is supporting the child to establish good daily routines and maintain their connection with education. Another child’s place at a previous school has been maintained, which has helped them to hold on to important friendships with peers and has provided consistency.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle. Staff have addressed concerns around the use of vapes to help children understand the impact on their health. This has led to a reduction in these behaviours. Children have regular scheduled meetings with the home’s therapist, which supports them with their emotional health and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to keep in touch with people who are important to them. This has led to one child having increased time with their family and improved relationships with them. Children are encouraged to join clubs and do activities in the community to support them in building friendships away from the home, and to help them to engage in the local community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Transitions are well planned and new children have benefited from visits to the home before moving in. Children coming to the home have had opportunities to meet the children already living there. This is seen as part of the planning process and has helped to reduce anxieties for all the children. Matching and impact assessments are detailed, and they help staff to consider the risks and impact on the new child and others. One child experienced an unplanned ending, as it was felt that the home could no longer meet their needs. This was managed sensitively and the child was supported during this time.

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

There had been an increase in incidents at the home. This led to children going missing from the home, some aggression towards staff and damage to the home. At times, staff struggled to manage children’s behaviour, which led to some prolonged incidents. The manager used reflective practice, debriefs and additional training to support the staff team. The team now has a better awareness of, and more confidence in, managing behaviours that may be challenging. Children were also Inspection report for children's home: 2544217 4 given opportunities to discuss and reflect on incidents and on the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others. Consequently, incidents have significantly reduced in their frequency and duration and children have become more settled.

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

Risk assessments are clear, detailed and individual to the child. They contain strategies for the management of risks. Behaviour support plans provide staff with guidance on how best to support children who may have difficulty in managing their emotions. The home’s therapist provides additional advice on approaches and communication with children, which is incorporated into plans.

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

Complaints are infrequent and when they happen they are well managed. Children have positive relationships with staff, which means that they have trusted adults they can talk to about any concerns. Children have a clear voice in the home and are listened to.

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

Children are provided with a safe, clean and homely environment. They have bedrooms that are personalised to their individual tastes and have also contributed their views on the redecoration of the home. This has helped children to feel connected to their home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is an ambitious and dedicated leader who has high aspirations for the children, staff and the home. They have a good awareness of the home’s strengths and weaknesses and have used systems and processes designed to develop the home and the team. Reflective practice has been used to good effect in implementing change and improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has created a range of auditing tools designed to support with quality assurance and monitoring. As a result, the manager has good oversight of all areas of the home and can complete management tasks effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular supervision and appraisals, and they are given opportunities to discuss and reflect on practice. Staff also have regular group supervision and training with the home’s therapist to further develop their skills and understanding of children’s needs. The manager and senior management team are a visible presence in the home and, as a result, staff feel supported and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a focus on staff training and development to improve knowledge, skills and understanding. Staff have had training that covers a range of topics related to supporting and safeguarding children. The home’s preferred model of care is well embedded in practice and regularly revisited with the home’s therapist. The manager has passed on training in supervision to further develop staff awareness. Inspection report for children's home: 2544217 5

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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: 2544217 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Absolute Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 98 Grove Street, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 8DU

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Inspector

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2544217 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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