Children's home run by Clover Childcare Services Limited in North Norfolk

Inspection report children’s home: SC361385 1 SC361385 Registered provider: Clover Childcare Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to five children. The home provides therapeutic care for children who have complex health and social care needs. Children may have a history of insecure attachments and may have experienced the breakdown of placements in foster care or children’s homes.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2019.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC361385 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/08/2021 Full Outstanding 16/12/2019 Full Good 13/03/2019 Full Outstanding 23/01/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC361385 3

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outstanding

This home provides outstanding care for children who have experienced multiple placement changes and consequently need a high level of emotional support. The full integration of a well-researched therapeutic model helps children to build secure relationships with staff and other children.

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home and one child has moved on from the home. At the time of this inspection, five children were living at the home.

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outstanding

Children at this home experience long-term stability. One child, who moved on because of his age, wished to remain close to the home and the staff. The manager responded to the child’s wishes. They accommodated him in a smaller home that supported his independence. This decision significantly reduced the child’s anxiety about where he was going to live, and consequently he became calmer and happier.

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outstanding

Children live in a safe and structured environment. The homely decor reflects the high-quality care and nurture that children receive. An annexe to the house provides a private space for therapy sessions or family time.

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outstanding

Children are active and happy and their physical health improves. They enjoy a rich variety of sports and activities. One child loves to ride his bike in the local area. Another child has achieved a healthy weight.

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outstanding

Children gain a comprehensive awareness of local risks. Staff take children out in the local area and discuss the dangers of the dykes, the tidal changes and the cliff edges. Staff check the children’s level of understanding. This ensures that children can increase their independence and engage in social and enjoyable activities safely.

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outstanding

Children’s education, learning and development are strongly encouraged. All children are in full-time education. Children happily attend school and enjoy learning. Each child has an additional education, health and care plan that supports a holistic approach to education. Bespoke educational timetables ensure that risks are managed between the home and school and that children do not miss out on their education.

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outstanding

Children who may have experienced chronic neglect develop healthy daily routines, guided with support from staff. Each child has a ‘passport to independence’ book. Children are encouraged to get up on time, manage their personal self-care, keep their bedrooms tidy and help the staff to shop and cook. Simple tasks encourage children to develop their independence and form good habits that will support them into adulthood. Inspection report children’s home: SC361385 4 Achievement books capture the children’s experiences. Staff take the time to prepare the books with beautiful photos and records of achievements. Children can see, and appreciate, their significant progress. Each child has a therapeutic life-story book. These quality journals creatively and sensitively map the child’s journey. This helps children to understand their own life experiences and who they are.

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outstanding

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are captured in regular children’s meetings and in their ‘can I have a chat?’ books. All children participate and share ideas in these meetings. Staff use the children’s meetings to discuss topical issues, such as stranger danger and sex education. In one meeting, children were reminded to welcome a new child and reinforce the warm and nurturing environment.

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outstanding

Children flourish and grow through their experiences. One child said, ‘I love it here. I love everything about it. I am really happy.’

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

The therapeutic model is fully integrated into the culture of the home. This overlaps with the high-quality care provided by the staff. Each child’s therapeutic support is overseen by a clinical psychologist who provides children with regular therapy sessions. Children look forward to their sessions. These help children to overcome adverse experiences in a safe, supportive environment.

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

Staff receive clinical consultations and additional guidance to manage unwanted behaviours. These help staff to deepen their understanding of the children and provide support for children who are experiencing difficulties. The strong focus of therapeutic care helps children to develop their emotional resilience.

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

Kindness, care and nurture are strongly emphasised. Staff actively encourage equality and tolerance, and this helps children to develop emotional intelligence and empathy. Children apologise if they have upset someone. Staff record unkind behaviours and monitor negative words used by children. Addressing this early reduces the escalation of bullying between children. This helps children to develop compassion and respect for each other’s personal space.

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

The staff team supports children’s low mood with care and sensitivity. Staff show a high level of empathy and offer children comfort when necessary. This includes offering children additional support through the health service.

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

There are no immediate safeguarding concerns. The staff ensure that children are equipped with knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Staff discuss subject matters such as criminal exploitation, stranger danger, consent, online safety and cyber-bullying with the children. They promote diversity. One member of staff did a piece of work with children on the impact of racism and the use of racist language. This increases children’s understanding and acceptance of other cultures. Inspection report children’s home: SC361385 5 Children are helped to understand the criteria for physical restraints. The staff provide informative workshops to help children understand why a restraint may be necessary. Children can choose their preferred type of restraint and the support that works best for them. This empowers children to have choice at an emotionally difficult time. Physical restraints are used as a last resort. The reports are

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

proportionate and detail the incident, including debriefs with staff and children. However, following one incident, Ofsted was not notified, despite an allegation being made by a child. The manager worked with the child’s professionals to devise a safety plan to help to manage any future allegations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is qualified in leadership and management. She is a highly knowledgeable and experienced manager. She is established and has worked for the company for many years. She strives for improvement without taking her focus away from the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a true advocate for the children. Her warm, loving nature provides an anchor for children to feel safe and secure. The manager spends quality time with children when they return from school. She regards this as integral to supporting children to feel safe and loved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A highly established and committed staff team continues to provide an optimum level of care to children. All staff and senior managers understand the children. One staff member said, ‘We adapt to children’s needs and try to understand them as individuals.’ Staff value and respect the manager and work well together as a team. One staff member said, ‘It is one of the best teams I have worked in. We all look out for one another.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have a clear pathway of career progression and complete a wide range of training to support their roles. Agency staff are not used. Instead, staff take on additional shifts to provide children with consistent care routines.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff are trained in a recognised therapeutic model. One staff member said, ‘I thought I was experienced, but after the training I have a better understanding of trauma and the brain. The training has helped me develop my practice.’ The staff welcome and value the external provision of therapeutic reflection. This helps staff to try new strategies with children and focus their support for each child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are highly creative, resourceful and eager to work with children. They actively engage children in discussions. These discussions maintain a therapeutic framework with direct links to the child’s targets. Staff use a range of resources to help broaden children’s understanding. They ensure that discussions are tailored to each individual child and their level of understanding.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s files are organised and evidence the volume of work completed. However, some of the records are handwritten and difficult to read. The language is not Inspection report children’s home: SC361385 6 always child-friendly and refers to therapeutic jargon. This is not accessible or clear to children who may read these.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

External monitoring continues to provide a detailed and comprehensive overview of the home. Internal monitoring is thorough. The manager and her deputy are an effective and efficient team. The manager is eager to drive improvement so that children continue to thrive. Inspection report children’s home: SC361385 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, ensure that the records are legible and understood by children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards.’ page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that they notify Ofsted and other relevant persons under Regulation 40(4) if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)-(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living at the home. This includes allegations against staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the standards,’ page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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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: SC361385 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Clover Childcare Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Old Rectory, Old Rectory Road, Brumstead, Norwich NR12 9EU

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Inspector

Kamal Bhamra, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC361385 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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