Children's Home run by BREAK in Norfolk

Inspection report children’s home: SC060743 1 SC060743 Registered provider: Break 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 up to four children who have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma along with family and placement breakdowns. It is owned by a registered charity.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since 10 February 2022. A new manager is in post and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC060743 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/06/2021 Full Good 17/09/2019 Full Good 19/09/2018 Full Good 07/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC060743 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, three children have moved from the home. The moves were planned and endings were positive. The staff remain in contact with the children at their request, which enables children to maintain important relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children have moved into the home, in a planned way, since the last inspection. Professionals and staff work well together to assess the children’s compatibility and ensure that their needs can be met at the home. Staff provide good-quality individualised support to the children. Relationships between staff and children are positive. Children benefit from companionship and stability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff organise a wide range of activities that meet the children’s interests and hobbies. Activities are planned with the children. They have included alpaca walking, theme park trips, quasar and regular sporting activities. One child went on a five- day sailing trip, which was an activity that they had not previously experienced. Another child completed work experience and learned new skills as a barista. These experiences develop the children’s self-esteem and provide opportunities for them to make new friendships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have moved to the home without education provision in place. Staff have worked closely with other professionals and have strongly advocated for children to ensure that appropriate provisions are identified. Two children are fully engaged with their education plans. Staff support their attendance, and they are making good progress. However, one child’s educational engagement is low. This is affected by them having poor daily routines. The child’s placement plan does not identify how staff should work with the child to encourage positive routines and positive engagement in education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s plans do not give clear information about how staff will ensure that their needs relating to their cultural identity are met. Children are not supported to develop their sense of identity or to understand their heritage.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is welcoming, homely and decorated to a high standard. The home benefits from a playroom and a music room. However, the lounge and kitchen doors are locked at night. Therefore, children cannot fully assess all areas of their home and their freedom is restricted.

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

There has been one episode of a child going missing from the home since the last inspection. Staff responded in line with the child’s plan. They were proactive in looking for the child and alerting other relevant agencies. When the child was located, staff welcomed them home. The child was supported to have a return home Inspection report children’s home: SC060743 4 interview and staff tried to establish where the child had been. Managers subsequently shared information with other professionals and worked with them to manage the presenting risks.

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

Staff manage unwanted behaviour well. One child has had a significant reduction in the frequency of incidents. When incidents do occur, staff use effective strategies to calm situations. Children respond well to staff and are developing strategies to manage their feelings.

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

The use of restraint is appropriate and proportionate. There have been two incidents of restraint, involving one child, since the last inspection. The incidents occurred shortly after the child moved in. They were well recorded, with effective management oversight and reflection.

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

Staff understand the risks that the internet may pose to children. Staff hold individual sessions with the children to help them understand how to keep safe. The sessions cover important topics and help the children to improve their personal safety.

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

Children benefit from an effective rewards system which encourages positive behaviour. Children respond to incentives that encourage their personal development.

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

Pre-employment checks are carried out for prospective staff. However, in one instance, a gap in employment was discussed with the applicant but not recorded. This does not ensure that all necessary information is available to evidence that the checks have taken place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since March 2022. He has submitted his application to register with Ofsted. He previously worked at the home as the deputy manager and holds a relevant level 5 qualification. The manager is child-focused and dedicated to his role. He strives for the best possible outcomes for children. He has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is consistent and stable. Managers have a visible presence at the home. Staff say that they are available to them when needed. Staff feel supported and valued by managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff have regular supervision sessions which include detailed discussion about children’s needs and how these are being met. Staff are provided with a good range of training in accordance with the organisation’s policy. Team meetings are frequent, well attended and child-focused. Good levels of support for staff help them to work consistently with each other and the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have good relationships with external professionals and parents. Parents and social workers said that there is good communication from staff and that Inspection report children’s home: SC060743 5 managers are responsive to requests. The manager challenges other professionals and advocates appropriately on behalf of the children to ensure that they receive support promptly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The location risk assessment considers all potential risks in the area and risk- reduction strategies. As a result, the staff fully understand the potential risks for the children in the community and how these can be reduced to keep them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have created effective monitoring tools and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home. These monitoring tools are used to review the home’s progress. Good oversight of the home ensures that ongoing improvements are made. Inspection report children’s home: SC060743 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s plans include clear guidance on how staff should encourage positive daily routines and promote children’s culture and their sense of identity. 2 November 2022

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 21 (b)(c)(iii) 2 November 2022

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Recommendation

 The registered person should maintain good employment practice. They should ensure that recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) Inspection report children’s home: SC060743 7

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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 children’s home: SC060743 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Schofield House, 1 Spar Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR6 6BX

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Inspectors

Joe Cox, Social Care Inspector Paula Lewis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC060743 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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