Children's home run by Footsteps to Futures Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2586969 1 Registered provider: Footsteps to Futures Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for one child who may require support in respect of their social and emotional needs. The home is owned and operated by a private organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by 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 outstanding

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2586969 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/05/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2586969 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home provides care for one child. The child has lived at the home for over a year, and he is making very good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

He has developed positive relationships with the staff. The team is committed to providing the child with good-quality care and support. Staff adapt their practice and style of communication to meet the child’s needs effectively. This enables the child’s feelings, wishes and views to be heard.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is placed at the centre of staff practice, giving him a sense of permanence and belonging. He has stability and he feels secure. The environment is homely and welcoming, with photos of the child and his family on display. The staff create a family environment, and the day-to-day care reflects this. The child said: ‘This is my home. I love it.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff motivate the child to learn; they encourage him to attend school and he achieves good attendance. Staff have clear expectations about the child’s education, and they advocate on his behalf to address any barriers he might face. A teacher said, ‘Consistency at home and at school has helped him to settle.’ As a result of this consistent approach, the child is engaging with learning and is making clear progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to maintain positive relationships with those who are important to him. The staff facilitate the child seeing family at the home, and in the community. For the child, these arrangements make family time more comfortable, and he is helped to maintain relationships with loved ones.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to develop strategies to manage his own behaviour, feelings and emotions. Staff carry out very carefully considered direct work with the child, through which they address a number of issues and areas for development. This has ranged from carrying out simple self-care tasks to exploring more complex issues, such as risk and behaviour. This high-quality direct work contributes to the stability of the child’s placement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has access to specialist services and the staff use a well-regarded therapeutic model of care in the home. Consistency and positive reinforcement have enabled the child to build a sense of self-worth. There has been a reduction in the number of incidents at the home. The child is now more able to safely participate in activities outside of the home, enabling him to integrate within the community and develop new friendships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s guide has been developed specifically for the child at the home. While this is positive, some required information is omitted. The manager will review and update this. Inspection report for children’s home: 2586969 4

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

The manager and staff understand the child’s vulnerabilities. Staff ensure that the child’s risk assessments contain up-to-date information. Staff plan for, and respond well to, known and potential risks. Staff take appropriate action to keep the child safe.

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

When safeguarding incidents do occur, there is a robust response, and all appropriate policies and procedures are followed by managers and staff. A social worker said, ‘We have all come together to make decisions, and the passion they [the staff] have shown shows that they want the best for him.’

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

Managers ensure that all incidents of restraint are subject to their oversight and scrutiny, to ensure that the use of restraint or restrictive practice is fair and proportionate. However, some of the physical intervention records had not been signed as being read by managers. Despite this administrative oversight, there has not been a negative impact on the child and the quality of care.

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

The recruitment of new staff is managed well, and the procedures are designed to safeguard the child. Safer recruitment practices and protocols are followed. This means that prospective new staff are subject to clear vetting processes. This reduces the risk of unsuitable adults working in the home.

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

The staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Safeguarding training is reviewed annually. However, some staff did not have a clear understanding of the role of the local authority designated officer (LADO). Further discussions are planned for supervision and team meetings to ensure that the staff’s knowledge is regularly reviewed.

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

There has been one allegation. It was reported promptly and appropriately to the relevant authority. This has been investigated in line with procedures and is satisfactorily concluded.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A dedicated and capable manager leads the home. He speaks with warmth about the child and the home. He is a positive role model for the child. The quality of the leadership team is instrumental in the good standard of care provided at this home. Staff speak passionately about the child and his progress. One member of staff said: ‘The whole team works together. This is the best team I have ever worked with.’ Staff feel well supported and have a shared sense of togetherness in promoting the progress of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager provides strong leadership. Staff feel supported and valued. One staff member said: ‘The registered manager is fantastic, very approachable. I can discuss anything with him.’ The manager takes every opportunity to praise staff for their good work. He encourages the team to think creatively about better ways of working with the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2586969 5 The manager ensures that staff receive individualised training to meet the needs of the child. Staff also have opportunities to shadow other staff members to observe and learn good practice. Staff can easily describe how their training has positively influenced their practice. This demonstrates that staff are able to develop the required knowledge and skills to support the child to make good progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are established systems in place through which the manager has oversight of the quality of care. The manager reviews the child’s plans and amends these in line with his changing needs. Records for the child include clear, up-to-date information. They show the development of the child and the progress they have made. The manager makes good use of the monthly independent visitor reports to monitor the quality of care and acts to address any shortfalls.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high expectations of staff, and he is ambitious for the child. The manager and staff make child-centred decisions. This develops a culture of positivity in which the child builds effective relationships and inspires positive outcomes. Inspection report for children’s home: 2586969 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that records of restraint are completed and signed as part of effective monitoring. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that staff know and understand the role of the LADO. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 14)  The registered person should ensure that the children’s guide contains information to help the child to understand how they can access advocacy support or independent advocacy, if eligible. It should also contain information about how to contact the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.22)

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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: 2586969 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Footsteps to Futures Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Chesterfield House, 1 Station Street, Bingham, Nottingham NG13 8AQ

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Inspector

Linda Mason, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2586969 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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