Children's home run by Clover Childcare Services Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2682205 1 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 home is privately operated and provides care for up to two children. The home offers therapeutic care to children who have complex behavioural and social care needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in July 2022.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2682205 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report children’s home: 2682205 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home since it registered. The provider opened the home in specific response to the needs and wishes of a child who had outgrown the provider’s sister home. The therapeutic care and support provided by staff are focused on building meaningful and supportive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is clean and tidy and decorated to a high standard. The child has personalised his bedroom and there is a selection of photos of the child engaged in various activities. The carefully selected furnishings and pictures on the walls add to the homely appeal.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since living at the home, the child has made steady progress. He is developing his independence skills and engaging in a range of household tasks, such as cooking, keeping his room tidy and helping staff around the house. Staff encourage the child to socially engage with the wider community on shopping trips and day trips out. A recent trip to London provided a blend of historical sightseeing and cultural exploration.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the child to go to school and fully take part in lessons. The child attends school each day. The child is making friends and engaging in extra-curricular activities. A scheduled education planning meeting was cancelled by the placing authority and is yet to take place. The manager has sent emails to follow this up.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is soon to welcome a small dog. This has been carefully considered by senior staff. A contract of care is in place to ensure that the child will take a high level of responsibility in managing the daily care of the dog. The child loves animals and taking care of an animal will help him to develop emotional warmth and a sense of responsibility.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family members are happy with the progress that the child is making. The child now has regular family time, including overnight stays. This has helped to secure bonds and develop positive attachments with family members. Parents and grandparents report a good level of communication between the home and the family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s individual health plan does not mirror the local authority health assessment to ensure that staff meet the child’s health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s care plan is not child friendly. There is no evidence that the child has a good understanding of the goals, expectations and targets linked to his care plan.

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

The home is settled and there are no safeguarding concerns. All relevant assessments are in place to ensure that risks are identified and understood by staff. Inspection report children’s home: 2682205 4 Staff include the child in writing and reviewing the local area risk assessment. Staff take the child on a tour of the local area to increase his knowledge of the area. This helps the child to develop a broad understanding of his wider community and knowledge of known areas of concern. Consequently, the child is becoming increasingly confident and independent.

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

The child has a good understanding of how to keep safe online. He has completed a digital passport and contract for gaming safety. Staff carry out regular mobile phone checks and additional monitoring to ensure that the child remains safe online.

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

A family member said that she cannot always remember the name of staff at the home. This is relevant when staff go to collect the child from a weekend visit. Staff have identity badges, but these are not routinely shown by staff when they go to collect the child from family visits.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has worked for the provider for many years. This is their first post as registered manager. Currently, the manager does not hold a recognised qualification in leadership and management but is enrolled to start in the coming months. The manager is developing his confidence in his new role. He was receptive to discussions throughout the inspection to help improve his practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

To ensure continuity of care and familiar faces for the child, staff from the sister home divide their time between the homes to care for the child. The manager designs the rota to ensure that it is balanced and fluid to adapt to the child’s needs. The manager is ‘hands on’ and covers some of the shifts. A staff member said that he is happy at work and that the shift pattern suits him.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monthly supervision sessions support staff to reflect on their work, the child, and developments at the home. Supervision records are detailed, and staff say that the quality and content of discussions are good. The quality of staff training is good. All staff are trained in a recognised therapeutic qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An independent person provides a detailed evaluation of the progress of the home. This helps the manager to continue to improve and develop practice. The manager actions any recommendations suggested by the independent person promptly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Internal scrutiny and evaluation reports provide a good overview of the child’s progress and of staff’s practice. This ensures that strengths and shortfalls are swiftly identified. Although there are comments added from the independent person’s reports, the manager does not routinely capture the views of the child, their family, and professionals. Inspection report children’s home: 2682205 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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(c) (2)(a)(i)) 31 December

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Recommendations

 The registered person should develop a system to ensure that children’s views, wishes and feelings are considered when planning their care. In particular, ensure that children contribute to and have a good understanding of their care plan. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 21, paragraph 4.5)  The registered person should actively seek the views of children, parents and professionals for internal monitoring (under regulation 45) to ensure continuous improvement. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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: 2682205 6

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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: 2682205 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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