Children's home run by Platform Childcare Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263505 1 Registered provider: Platform Childcare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 23 September 2022.

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Inspection date: 24 November 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 24 November 2022

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: 1263505 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

Children are motivated to attend education. This is because the manager has supported children to find courses that they are interested in. For example, one child has started a painting and decorating course. Children’s attendance is good and they are making educational progress.

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The care of children

Children are encouraged by staff to attend extra-curricular activities such as police cadets and youth club. Although not all children enjoy undertaking fitness activities, staff are creative in promoting ‘exercise that does not feel like exercise’. For example, staff are supporting one child to spend more time going swimming with their sibling. Consequently, the child is getting fitter and is forming a closer bond with their sibling.

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The care of children

Children are being supported by staff to make healthier food choices. There is now less access to unhealthy snacks in the home and, as a result, children have started to eat more fruit. One child is now eating salad, after staff realised that they preferred it served separated out on their plate as opposed to mixed up.

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The care of children

Although most staff are relatively new to the role, children are starting to trust them by sharing their feelings. This is progress, because prior to this inspection children were negatively impacted by high levels of staff turnover. Children say that they would like more men to be on the staff team. Since the last inspection, the manager has recruited one male member of staff. This remains an area for workforce development.

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The safety of children

At the last inspection, one child’s bedroom was in an unsuitable, unsanitary condition. However, progress has been made in this area and the child has been given a new bedroom that is clean and hygienic. The child’s original bedroom has had some renovation work carried out and although this is much improved, the bedroom still needs redecorating.

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The safety of children

Staff say that damage to the home has reduced. This is because the manager has been clear with children and staff as to what acceptable behaviour looks like. When children do display destructive behaviours, these are now short lived, and staff can de-escalate situations quickly. This helps to keep children safer.

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The safety of children

Since the last inspection, the manager has taken steps to better support children’s routines. For instance, staff have been better able to motivate children to get more sleep, bathe regularly and spend more time in the community. As a result, children’s confidence is starting to grow and they are taking more pride in their appearance. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263505 3 Although healthy routines are starting to help children with their mental health, at times some children still struggle with low mood. During these times, staff are getting better at recognising the signs that children may be struggling. Staff understand that sometimes children may benefit from having time on their own. However, too much time on their own can cause their symptoms of low mood to worsen. Staff are reflecting on what approach fits best and, overall, children’s mental health is improving.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager acknowledges the shortfalls from the last inspection and has put measures in place to address these. Although the home has four bedrooms, for the short-term the manager has made the decision not to care for more than two children. This is because the staff team is still relatively new and the house still requires some renovation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Although the home is clean and hygienic, some matters require attention. One child requires storage in their bedroom and in the other child’s bedroom the curtain rail needs fixing to the wall. The other two bedrooms are in the process of being redecorated but are not yet in a good enough condition for children to use. In the lounge, the television is encased to protect it from damage. However, the manager cannot recall any of the children currently living at the home trying to break the television, therefore it is unclear why this casing remains. Overall, the home would benefit from some minor repair work to make it look less worn. The gardens are well maintained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The retention of staff has been an ongoing issue. However, since the last inspection, staffing has remained relatively stable and, as a result, children are happier. New staff are receiving organised inductions and all staff are receiving regular supervisions. Staff are supported by the manager and feel that team dynamics are good. The manager wants to ensure that her staff team is stable before caring for any additional children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has done some good work in improving her knowledge of children’s disability benefits. Following this, the manager has been able to advocate on behalf of one child to claim money that is owed to him. This is an example of good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Although the manager has taken some steps to carry out life-story work for the children, this remains an area for development. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263505 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/11/2021 Full Good 15/10/2019 Full Good 04/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263505 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that the home is refurbished to a good standard and that children have appropriate storage in their bedrooms. Staffing should be monitored and reviewed to ensure that children receive consistent care. Life-story work for children should be progressed. 30 January 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that, whenever possible, staff in day-to-day contact with children should include staff from the different gender groups. Where the home’s statement of purpose makes it explicit that the home uses staff of one sex only, clear guidance will need to be in place and followed as to how children are enabled to maintain relationships with people of a different gender. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.22) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263505 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Platform Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 2, First Floor, Millennium Court, First Avenue, Centrum 100, Burton-upon-Trent DE14 2WH

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Inspector

Andi Lilley-Tams, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263505 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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