Children's Home run by Amegreen Children’s Services in West Berkshire

Inspection report for children's home: SC473329 1 SC473329 Registered provider: Amegreen Children’s Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to five children. There are two other homes run by the same provider in the local area. This home’s statement of purpose states that it specialises in assisting children with making the transition to adult life and gaining the skills they need to live independently.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 31 October 2013.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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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.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 17 November 2021

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC473329 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/11/2021 Full Outstanding 03/03/2020 Full Good 03/09/2018 Full Outstanding 15/08/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC473329 3

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outstanding

The care given to children at this home is outstanding. Children make progress from the outset, which is promoted by an exceptionally skilled staff team. Staff understand the impact of children’s past experiences and trauma, and how these affect children’s development and maintenance of healthy relationships.

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outstanding

High-quality matching processes are completed before children move to this home. The manager and staff work alongside other professionals and families, with a high level of involvement from children to ensure that they are consulted about their needs before they move into the home. Assessments are completed with the support of the internal therapy team to ensure clear desired outcomes and care needs are identified before children move in. As a result, children immediately settle and start building secure relationships.

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outstanding

The manager and staff share excellent relationships with parents, professionals and individuals in the community. Regular updates are provided to all involved in the care of children and any safeguarding incidents are communicated promptly to the safeguarding network. A parent said, ‘I have an excellent relationship with staff. I feel so valued, and I’m kept well informed about my son’s care.’

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outstanding

Staff use creative approaches to support children to engage and to make exceptional progress in their education. They work closely with schools to ensure that consistency is maintained in the approaches used to help children understand the need for education and to enjoy the experiences of being in the residential setting. A teacher said, ‘Staff have unbelievably encouraged him [the child] to find courage to come to school, even though he had refused in all his past placements.’ A social worker added, ‘He always struggled being at school and broke down placements, but all he talks about now is how good home and school is.’

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outstanding

Children live in a well-maintained home. Children and staff take pride in the presentation of the home and ensure that it is homely and welcoming. The home is decorated with photos of children and staff engaging in activities and visiting places of interest. Children’s bedrooms are decorated in personalised themes. One child proudly showed the inspector his bedroom and explained how he had built the car engine on display in his bedroom.

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outstanding

Staff give children a variety of opportunities to voice their views and contribute to the decisions made in the home. Excellent approaches, such as one-to-one discussions during bike, car and train rides are creatively planned and held with children. At house meetings, led by staff and the manager, children plan holiday activities, give suggestions for refurbishment work in the home and are given feedback on their requests, such as getting a puppy for the home. This gives children a sense of belonging and assures they are listened to. Inspection report for children's home: SC473329 4 Children enjoy a wide range of enriching and fun activities. This encourages them to develop confidence and awareness of their community and helps them develop new skills. Children attend football and basketball clubs and participate in local support groups, such as the Ukraine charity group. A social worker said, ‘He [child] has

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outstanding

developed so much confidence to do a lot of things he could not do. He goes on trips to London, bike riding and many other fun activities.’

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outstanding

The manager and staff are aspirational for children’s progress and achievement. Well-structured independence plans are implemented, with children’s involvement. Children as young as 10 are encouraged to do their own laundry, budget, go food shopping and cook meals with staff support. Children apply for and use their own bank cards independently in the local shops to buys items of their choice. As a result, children feel empowered to take the next steps in their independence and continue to do well.

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outstanding

Staff use excellent processes to assess and identify risks associated with children. They implement and review high-quality risk assessments and safety plans. Staff engage in exceptionally well-planned reflective discussions, in which they enlighten children on potential and existing risks and prevention measures. As a result, children understand risks and know how to keep safe in the community and at home.

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outstanding

Children who used to go missing from their previous placements have never gone missing from this home. When children access the community independently, they return home at the agreed times. Clear individualised protocols are in place to guide staff in the event children go missing from home. A social worker confirmed, ‘He used to always go missing in the previous placement, but he now goes out to visit friends and returns home safely.’

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outstanding

Children know the home’s rules and respectfully remind and challenge each other when these are not followed. Staff use the secure relationships and a therapeutic model of care to support children when they struggle with their feelings and emotions. They use excellent verbal de-escalation measures such as playful, curious and non-shaming approaches, allowing children to self-soothe and reflect on their emotions. As a result, children who struggle to communicate feel secure and confidently talk about their emotions and feelings with staff.

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outstanding

Excellent recruitment processes are adhered to. Leaders and managers ensure that all security checks and past information is obtained before potential employees start work. As a result, children are cared for by staff who can keep them safe. Inspection report for children's home: SC473329 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has a clear and exceptionally child-focused vision of the care given to children. He knows the children well and shares very strong and secure relationships with them, staff, parents and professionals. A social worker said, ‘The manager is so good with the children and he demonstrates this exceptionally good practice to staff.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Excellent systems are used to measure children’s progress. The manager completes monthly reports and uses well-researched programmmes to assess children’s progress effectively. Children are involved in implementing their independence plans and setting daily tasks and are encouraged to complete these by the manager and staff. These measures ensure that children’s progress is constantly in focus and under review.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision of staff and managers is regular. The registered manager uses supervision and regular practice discussions effectively to mentor and coach staff. During supervision, staff address their well-being and reflect on the progress made by children. The registered manager receives regular supervision from the organisation’s therapist, to ensure informed therapeutic practice is maintained. This support has resulted in staff delivering excellent care which helps children to make progress soon after moving to this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders, managers and staff develop effective relationships with partner agencies. Social workers and school staff confirm that information is shared promptly and appropriately and decisions are made collectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers and leaders identify and address shortfalls promptly. They ensure children live in a well-decorated, well-maintained and homely environment. When damage occurs, the manager reports this immediately and ensures it is addressed. Excellent development plans are in place to refurbish the home in consultation with children. This ensures that their personal touch is added to the home and this gives them a sense of belonging.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager promotes equality, diversity and inclusion effectively. They hold discussions with children regarding different cultures and identities and how everyone should be treated fairly and respected. Children are supported with their individual cultural and physical identity needs, such as haircare and dietary needs. Children are valued and this helps them to feel included. Inspection report for children's home: SC473329 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: SC473329 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amegreen Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Courtyard, Sulhamstead Abbots, Sulhamstead RG7 4EE

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Inspector

Alphie Khumalo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC473329 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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