Children's home run by Total Care Matters Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2669259 1 Registered provider: Total Care Matters Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home that provides care for up to four children with social and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager who was not present at the time of this inspection.

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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: none Inspection report for children's home: 2669259 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children's home: 2669259 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child resides at the home. She has settled well, has good relationships with staff and is making steady progress. A range of positive experiences have enabled the child to develop a sense of belonging, following a succession of previous placement breakdowns.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have advocated strongly to get the child into education. In the absence of a school placement, staff have supported educational activities at home and motivated the child to keep learning. Effective liaison with schools and the placing local authority has resulted in regular attendance for the child at an outdoor educational provision. The manager continues to advocate for a full-time return to education for the child, recognising she has the potential to succeed at school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A preferred model of care is being established in the staff team. A commissioned service is delivering training to the staff team in this model, which focuses on a therapeutic approach to care practice. This training will ensure staff are suitably trained and experienced to care for children who have suffered trauma. Therapeutically informed care will enhance the quality of care being provided and the child’s overall experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff welcomed the child to her new home in a sensitive, planned manner. All the staff were able to meet the child in advance, which helped reduce her anxieties about moving. Staff encourage the child to share her ideas for the home. She is planning a bedroom makeover which she helped design. She is listened to, which makes her feel valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff welcome the child’s family on a regular basis, as well as enabling her to see family outside of the home. The child has been sensitively supported to rebuild a relationship with a parent. A parent said: ‘The staff keep in contact with me so I can feel part of my daughter’s life. Things have drastically improved for her since living here.’

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

Staff keep the child safe. The child’s risk and vulnerability associated with being missing from care have reduced significantly. There is a strong emphasis on safeguarding in the home. This has reduced the risk of harm to the child.

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

The child feels comfortable talking to staff about any concerns or worries she may have. Staff take the child’s views seriously and respond appropriately. Staff are proactive in helping the child and have developed good communication with the responsible local authority. This has led to a shared understanding between professionals as to the best way to keep the child safe. Inspection report for children's home: 2669259 4 Staff recognise the triggers which cause the child to engage in self-harm. Risk assessments clearly identify known vulnerabilities for the child. Clear actions are set out so staff understand what action should be taken to address the risks. Staff are skilled in direct work with children, which means that incidents are reducing in frequency and intensity.

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

Staff effectively use de-escalation and distraction methods to promote positive behaviour. They can identify triggers and alternative strategies that are specific to the needs of the child. This means the use of physical restraint is kept to a minimum. When this does occur, consultation with the home’s drama therapist and safeguarding officer helps staff to reflect on incidents and find strategies for supporting the child.

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

The home environment is safe for the child. The home is secure and protects the child from harm. Risk assessments in relation to the home’s remote location are reviewed regularly. A refurbishment of the home’s internal decoration means the home is a warm and welcoming place to live.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A suitably experienced manager leads the home. He is working towards achieving the necessary leadership qualification within the required timescale. The deputy manager is knowledgeable and enhances the leadership team. Staff speak highly of their managers and have confidence in them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is staffed adequately to meet the child’s needs. They are suitably experienced to deliver good quality care to her. Specific attachment and trauma training will ensure that staff have the required skills that reflect the child’s needs. Investment in training, by leaders, will ensure managers and staff are up to date with current practice in this specialist area.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work positively with external agencies. They have built effective working relationships with social workers, parents and other professionals. This helps to build positive outcomes for the child in their care. One professional said: ‘We cannot fault communication. The whole team is really good at keeping in touch, especially the manager.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision is effective. This takes place regularly and focuses on the child’s needs and quality of care provided. Team meetings are well attended and provide opportunity for reflection and learning from one another in the team. The staff speak highly of one another and describe a supportive culture in the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2669259 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that records of restraint are kept, which should enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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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: 2669259 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Total Care Matters Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 230 Bathley Street, The Meadows, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG2 2ER

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Inspector

Rachael Sprigg, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2669259 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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