Children's home run by M.J. Children’s Services Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068991 1 SC068991

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Registered provider: M.J. Children’s Services Limited

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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 four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has not been a registered manager in post since 29 June 2020. A new manager has been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: SC068991 2

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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.

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The care of children

At the time of this inspection, there were two children living at the home. Since the last inspection, one child has left the home and one child has moved in. One child experienced an unplanned move; however, staff supported the child throughout this. The child who has moved in is settled and happy. Both children living at the home have improved their attendance at education placements. When children achieve qualifications, the staff celebrate by arranging special meals out in recognition of children’s hard work. One professional said that staff had worked hard as part of a wider team to stabilise a child’s education placement, which was at risk. The children see their friends and keep busy with activities. One child has a passion for football and enjoys being able to play football with staff. Staff have arranged a trip for the child to watch a professional team play, with the staff of his choice. Staff have positive relationships with children, who interact warmly and respectfully

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The care of children

with them. One child said, ‘I like all of the staff. I’m trying to choose my key worker, but I can’t make my mind up as everyone is so lovely.’ Children are able to share their views and opinions. Both children actively participate in house meetings, which are usually accompanied by a takeaway meal to encourage attendance. One child said that staff have helped them to understand how the home runs and what is available. This has helped the child settle quickly, and establish trusting relationships. Children’s physical and mental health needs are closely monitored by staff. The manager arranges referrals to local mental health teams as a priority. Children enjoy leading healthy lifestyles, including nutritious meals and exercise challenges with staff. Staff help children to participate in cessation support for smoking and substance misuse. The manager has made improvements to the way in which staff record information

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The care of children

about children. Clear expectations are shared in team meetings and staff supervision sessions to guide the staff. The manager reviews all the records regularly for consistency. These are clearer and records seen during the inspection show a positive improvement.

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The safety of children

Staff work closely with police and social work professionals when children have criminal allegations made against them. Staff are vigilant to risks of children being exploited, carrying weapons or buying substances. They carry out room searches Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068991 3 that are agreed as part of a wider strategy to keep children safe. However, daily checks of one child’s bedroom failed to identify console games that were not appropriate for the child’s age. There are occasions when children have gone missing from the home, although these have reduced. These incidents have all been managed in line with children’s individual risk assessments. The new manager has introduced new records to illustrate the actions taken by staff. The manager has changed the way in which positive consequences are used to reward progress and good behaviours. Financial incentives are no longer used;

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The safety of children

nurture, praise and celebrations are used instead. Children value this approach, and appreciate the thought and effort that goes into the celebrations. Staff are aware of the individual risks to each child and know what to do to reduce these. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. As children settle in, staff revisit the risk-reduction strategies to ensure that they remain proportionate and do not impede on children’s independence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A new manager has been appointed. She has the relevant experience, and has applied to register with Ofsted. Children and staff all said that the arrival of the manager has been a welcome and positive addition. Improvements are visible and well received. The previous requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been met. The manager has undertaken a review of care and introduced improvements and developments. However, the six-monthly quality-of-care review has not been sent to Ofsted within the requisite timeframe. Improvements have been made to the environment, including updating the windows, new paintwork and refurbishing a bathroom and bedroom. One child has recently moved bedrooms and is choosing new wallpaper, paint and furnishings. There have been no complaints. Education professionals for both children have provided positive feedback. A recent recruitment drive has been successful, and recruitment checks are in

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

process. There are enough staff on duty to keep children safe and meet their needs. Staff feel well supported and receive regular, good-quality supervision. The manager, responsible individual and service administrator have quickly built a positive working relationship. Staff undertake regular training, which they say is useful and beneficial to their roles. This gives them the confidence to support children well. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068991 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/05/2021 Full Good 09/12/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/08/2018 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068991 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, 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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 understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children do not have access to console games that are not appropriate for their age. 9 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. 9 December 2022 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068991 6 After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report").

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5)) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068991 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: M.J. Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Arbutus House, 4 Loddington Lane, Belton in Rutland LE15 9LA

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Inspector

Jamie Cousins, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068991 8 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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