Children's Home run by Friends Together Care Homes Ltd in Doncaster

Inspection report for children’s home: 1232650 1 Registered provider: Friends Together Care Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There are currently three children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2020.

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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: 12 October 2021

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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: 1232650 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/10/2021 Full Good 21/01/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness 22/10/2019 Full Good 12/09/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1232650 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are happy and have a homely place to live. They have trusting relationships with staff and share how much the care and support they receive improves their lives. One child said, ‘They [staff] have turned my life around. I would give it 10/10 living here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to make a complaint. There is a culture of communication between the children and the staff. There are frequent opportunities for interaction and discussions. This familial approach significantly contributes to the homely feel of the environment and the positive relationships children have with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children progress well with their education. Staff promote children’s learning, as they use workbooks and educational activities while education placements are agreed. One child has had support from an education tutor. Some get part-time jobs and now attend college, having sat their secondary school exams. Staff are extremely proud of children’s successes and celebrate these, no matter how big or small.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager carefully assesses how children can live together safely. When children move in, they get a booklet to explain what it is like living at the home. When needed, documents are made available for children in their first language. This helps to ensure that every child knows what to expect from the home, and what they can expect from staff. These measures undoubtedly help children to settle in quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move on from the home, outreach support from staff extends beyond their placement. This demonstrates the level of commitment staff have towards the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to develop their independence in line with their age and ability. Children are helped by staff to learn key life skills through a structured independence programme. As a result, children are successful in their next steps as they are confident and well prepared.

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

Trained and knowledgeable staff follow clear safety support plans to help keep children safe. Staff regularly talk to children about unsafe situations. Children consider what some of their actions mean through restorative approaches and consequences. Children living at the home say they get good help from staff and that they feel safe.

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

The quick response of staff protects children from harm when children’s mental health deteriorates. Children get additional support from specialist mental health Inspection report for children’s home: 1232650 4 services. Consequently, some children’s mental health improves. When children’s needs extend beyond the care the home can provide, the manager recognises this and takes action to help get them the right support.

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

Physical interventions are rarely used. However, when needed, staff use these effectively and proportionately. Staff have discussions with the children after incidents to support their development of self-regulation. This helps children to understand risk and develop a concept of how to express their emotions in a different way.

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

Children’s vulnerability to exploitation and criminal activity is understood by staff. The manager has a good understanding of the local area and meets with professionals such as the police to develop safety plans for the children. These measures help to mitigate the potential risks that children may be exposed to when out in the community.

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

Staff recognise and respond to safeguarding matters effectively. Staff know what to do should a concern emerge and take action when children disclose information. The manager contributes to regular multi-agency meetings. When needed, extra strategies are put in place which help to keep children safe.

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

Children play online games and have mobile phones. Staff take an active interest in who children are in contact with online. Every effort is made to ensure that the children are safe. In addition, staff help children to learn about internet safety and encourage children to speak up if they are concerned about something. This helps to build awareness, which better protects children from harm.

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

Children tell staff where they are when they go out and are not often missing from home. When staff are concerned, they go out and look for the children and follow procedures that are agreed with the local police. Records confirm that children return to the home after a short period of time and are given the opportunity to speak to an independent person. This is positive, as it provides children with an opportunity to talk about things that may be worrying them. However, the outcomes of these discussions are not always shared with staff. This is a missed opportunity to inform and update the child’s plans.

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

At times, the use of bedroom door alarms alerts staff to help support children at night. However, the use of bedroom door alarms does not feature in all of the children’s plans. Furthermore, there is no agreed consent from one child’s placing authority. This means that the need and rationale for these alarms is not clear.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The qualified and passionate manager is a visible leader in the home. She is knowledgeable and has high aspirations for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 1232650 5 When needed, the manager asserts challenge to other professionals. This ensures that safeguarding procedures are upheld and that additional support is available for children and staff when significant incidents occur.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A cohesive and motivated staff team cares for the children. The staff hold the support they receive from the manager in high regard. Staff value the professional relationships they have with each other. This results in a positive environment for staff and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment processes ensure that the staff are skilled and suitable to work with children. New workers have a thorough induction and work-practice review as they settle into their new role. Staff reflect during regular supervision sessions and have a debrief after incidents. Staff confirm that they feel well supported and ‘love’ their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager promotes a culture of learning. Staff access training which includes a good range of extra courses. The use of resources in team meetings prompts focused discussions on current topics. This helps staff to better understand the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager completes regular checks, sets annual targets and has improved the level of analysis in her quality-of-care review. The manager understands what is working well in the home and has a clear understanding of the areas she wants to develop.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager regularly updates the statement of purpose. However, she has not shared this with Ofsted. This means that the regulator is not kept up to date of any changes made in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1232650 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 registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b) 11 November

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that there is consent for the use of door alarms on children’s bedrooms, and that children’s risk management plans explain why these are required and how they are to be used. 11 November

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the outcome of the independent return home interview is recorded and informs children’s risk assessments and safety plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, 45, paragraph 9.30) Inspection report for children’s home: 1232650 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 for children’s home: 1232650 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Friends Together Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 7 Tenter Lane, Warmsworth, Doncaster, Yorkshire DN4 9PP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Thomas Worthington

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Inspector

Alexandra Howitt, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1232650 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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