Children's home run by GSM Ardent Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 1 Registered provider: GSM Ardent Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

The care of children

Both children currently living in the home have moved in since the last inspection. Children said that they received a warm welcome from staff and have been supported to settle in. One child said, ‘This is the best place I have been. I would live here for ever.’

p.2

The care of children

Since the last inspection, improvements have been made to the interior of the home. Communal areas have been decorated and are well furnished. Children now benefit from a warm, welcoming and homely environment.

p.2

The care of children

Staff and managers recognise the importance of children’s access to healthcare. When new children move into the home, swift action is taken to register them with local health services. Consequently, children’s health needs are addressed in a timely manner.

p.2

The care of children

Staff spend time with children to develop positive relationships. Children are supported to engage in their hobbies and interests. Children benefit from this one- to-one time, and one child said, ‘They actually take their time to help us out.’

p.2

The care of children

Changes have been made to the way staff record information about children. Information is now recorded in a way that is written to the child. This means that children can easily access information in their records and understand their plans.

p.2

The safety of children

The manager carefully considers children’s risks and vulnerabilities before they move into the home. Impact risk assessments clearly detail risks and how these will be managed by staff. As a result, staff understand children’s risks and what they need to do to keep children safe.

p.2

The safety of children

When children go missing from home, staff use children’s plans to inform their response. Staff are proactive and physically search for children. Staff communicate with the police and local authorities to ensure that children receive a coordinated response to return them home safely.

p.2

The safety of children

When there are serious incidents, Ofsted is notified as required by regulation. However, on one occasion, key information about an incident was not shared. This limited the regulator’s oversight of this incident. The requirement in relation to the notification of serious incidents remains. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 3 Children said that they feel safe in the home and have staff in the home who they can share any worries or concerns with. One child said, ‘I do feel safe here; they care for me and look after me.’

p.2

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has recently taken up his position in this home; he was not in post at the last inspection. The manager is supported by a suitably qualified and experienced deputy manager, who has also recently joined the staff team. Together, they have begun to address shortfalls in practice that were identified at the last inspection.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has made changes to the induction process. New employees are now supported with a detailed six-month induction programme. This enables the manager to track the training and development of staff. This helps to ensure that staff are suitably skilled and experienced before completing their probation period.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff reported that significant changes have been made since the arrival of the manager. Staff feel supported and appreciated, and said that they look forward to coming into work. One staff member said, ‘You know it is good when you come to work with a smile on your face.’

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager encourages staff to be reflective about their practice. Monthly development team meetings are focused on improving practice in the home. Staff are challenged to present their own areas of learning to their colleagues. This promotes staff development and aids reflective discussions.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There is a coordinated approach to management oversight of practice in the home. The manager is supported by the registered individual, who undertakes monthly quality-assurance visits. These highlight areas for practice improvement. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/06/2022 Full requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.5

Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

p.5

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e)) 6 December 2022 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 6

p.5

Inspector

Rob Neild, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7