Children's home run by Attivo Care Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2570070 1 Registered provider: Attivo Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company and is registered to provide care for up to two children. The staff team specialises in caring for children who may have social, emotional and mental health needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2019.

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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: 8 September 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: 2570070 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2570070 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build trusted relationships with children through continuity of care. This helps children to develop their confidence and to make progress. A social worker said, ‘Staff have built a good relationship with [name of child] and are helping her to do things that we haven’t been able to after years of trying.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff carry out regular key-work sessions with children. This direct work helps children to talk openly in a safe environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work with education providers to give children access to education. However, staff do not consistently help children to keep to their agreed education plans. This means that one child’s progress is limited, and targets are not achieved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to manage their health needs. Children are registered with doctors and dentists and access support from a wide range of other services. This means that children’s routine appointments and checks are up to date.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a say in any choices made, such as activities and decor in the home. However, staff do not encourage children to access their case records or contribute to them. This limits the understanding that children have about their experiences and backgrounds.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote family time when this is appropriate. Staff also work proactively with adults who are important to children. One parent said, ‘She is like a different person. She has completely changed for the better.’

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

The manager actively pursues a multi-agency response to safeguarding concerns. The manager challenges external professionals if responses are not satisfactory. This promotes information-sharing and reduces drift and delay.

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

Incidents of children going missing are well managed and responses are coordinated with local police and other relevant agencies. Children are then given the opportunity to speak to someone independent in a return home interview. Staff adhere to local authority protocols and take swift action to find children when they are missing.

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

The registered person does not quickly report all significant events to the relevant authorities. This means the regulator has no immediate oversight of what action the manager is taking to keep children safe. This may affect children’s welfare and safety. Inspection report for children’s home: 2570070 4 Children feel safe and supported. One child said, ‘It’s a nice area and not too far from my friends. I feel safe here.’

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

Leaders review children’s risk management plans after all incidents and at least monthly. This ensures that staff identify and manage risks appropriately. Staff also receive an in-depth handover each day to discuss any issues or concerns. This promotes good communication across the team and provides consistent care for children.

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

Staff develop strong working relationships with children. They use de-escalation techniques to help children to remain calm and work through their feelings safely.

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

Children have access to all areas of the home during the day. However, staff activate a security alarm every night without a clear assessment of risk. This affects children’s privacy and access.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and qualified. Staff feel fully supported in their roles and enjoy working at the home. One member of staff said, ‘I love it. I feel supported at all times, and I can talk to a manager whenever I need to.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is improving risk management processes and communication. Children’s plans are now child-friendly and detail current areas of concern. This ensures that all staff are aware of the risks to children’s health and well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff attend regular team meetings, appraisal and supervision sessions. This helps staff to reflect on their performance and to identify training to meet children’s needs. This also keeps staff focused and motivated in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers do not consistently communicate with education providers. This affects children’s education planning and their attainment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and leaders have a thorough knowledge of the children. Managers listen to children’s views and consider their wishes and feelings. This promotes children’s development and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff help children to prepare for adulthood. Children undertake independence work to develop their practical skills. However, planning for children moving out is not clear for those currently at the home. This means that children may not be able to cope emotionally when they leave the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager uses internal and independent monitoring at least monthly. This helps the manager to make continuous improvements in the quality of care. It also helps in evaluating and sustaining good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Some documents use judgemental and stigmatising language about children. This means that some information is recorded in a way that is not helpful to children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2570070 5

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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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, that children have clear education plans and that staff motivate children to adhere to those plans and achieve the targets as described in their broader care plans. Additionally, the registered manager should ensure that there is clear communication with education providers. 2 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being 2 December 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2570070 6 involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, that the registered manager makes appropriate arrangements for notifications to be submitted without delay in her absence.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that information about children is recorded in a non-stigmatising way and in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that staff help each child to prepare for any moves from the home, whether they are returning home, moving to another placement or adult care, or to live independently. This includes supporting the child to develop emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home’s support. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27)  The registered person should ensure that staff encourage children to access their case records and contribute to them to reflect their voices. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 58,

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Recommendations

paragraph 11.19)  The registered person should ensure that any limitations placed on a child’s privacy and access are for safeguarding purposes only. This decision should be informed by a rigorous assessment, which is properly recorded and kept under review. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10) Inspection report for children’s home: 2570070 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: 2570070 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Attivo Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 18 White Moss Business Park, Maple View, Skelmersdale WN8 9TG

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Inspector

Mark Woodbridge, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2570070 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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