Children's Home run by Care 4 Children Residential Services Ltd in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2581237 1 Registered provider: Your Chapter Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is one of a number operated by a private company. The home provides care for up to eight children who may have emotional and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s acting manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: 29 December 2021

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not judged

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2581237 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/12/2021 Interim Not judged Inspection report for children’s home: 2581237 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home reopened in June 2022. The provider had previously decided to close the home. There are currently two children living in the home. Two children have recently moved on. One child experienced an unplanned ending. The manager has reflected on this and implemented learning. Good-quality, detailed matching documents are in place. These evidence the needs of the children and the skills of staff to help support them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a spacious and warm environment. The home is furnished to a high standard with bright, tasteful decor. Children told inspectors that they can choose how they want to decorate and personalise their bedrooms. Staff have good relationships with the children, creating a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote education. They ensure that children’s educational needs are met and they attend all education meetings. Both children have excellent attendance in school and engage well. This is good progress from their starting points. However, the manager and staff are not aware of the local offer, which sets out the support available for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This is a missed opportunity to access additional resources for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from access to all universal healthcare services. All children have up-to-date health assessments in place. Staff have recently sourced specialist support from other agencies, such as child and adolescent mental health services and outreach services, to support children’s emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff support and encourage children to spend time with their families. Every effort is made to promote family relationships, and this is something that parents appreciate. Children are supported to develop their independence skills appropriately. They help with meal preparation and tidying their rooms.

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

Staff are committed to maintaining the safety and well-being of children. Individual risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. Staff are updated about any incidents.

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

Staff have a good understanding of children’s therapeutic needs. Collaborative working with the clinical team is developing through reflective practice sessions. As a result, staff are given skills to enhance their understanding of the children’s specific needs and behaviour.

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

Children have a good daily routine in place that supports positive behaviour. Staff are consistent in their approach. Positive behaviour is promoted. Incentives are also in place to support these routines, where children can take part in games to earn Inspection report for children’s home: 2581237 4 ‘tokens’ for things they want to buy. One child said, ‘Staff help me to manage my feelings when I am upset.’ They talk to him about the appropriate use of language and give him time to reflect. Achievements are well acknowledged, and children like to display their certificates around the home. This gives the children a sense of belonging.

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

Children are supported by staff who listen to them. Staff spend quality time with children in key-work sessions. Discussions take place to help children understand how to stay safe, the importance of good personal hygiene and managing their emotions. As a result, children say they feel safe and supported.

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

Safe recruitment processes for all staff are thorough. There is a robust checklist system in place to ensure all recruitment checks are completed. This includes keeping records of any agency staff used. Consequently, only suitable adults can work in the home.

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

Allegations and complaints are responded to appropriately to safeguard all involved. The staff are confident in their use of whistle-blowing. Professionals are notified promptly to ensure there is a transparent approach. Children can identify trusted adults in the home who they can make a complaint to. All complaints are thoroughly investigated, and any lessons learned are discussed as part of reflective sessions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is an effective and strong leadership team in place who provide stability and consistency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The acting manager is experienced and qualified. She has registered to apply with Ofsted and is awaiting her interview date. She is highly motivated and enthusiastic. She has good support from a deputy manager. Both are child-focused and knowledgeable about the specific needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers offer regular supervision and team meetings are well attended by all. The staff say they find managers supportive and helpful. Staff say they received a detailed induction that included working with more experienced staff who helped with their learning. New staff are provided with additional support through their probationary period, which helps them fully understand their roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, performance concerns are dealt with promptly and managers take effective action in managing concerns of poor performance through more focused supervisions, to ensure that children’s safety is prioritised.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been some changes in the staff team since the home opened. However, the team has now stabilised. Staff say, ‘We are gelling well together now.’ Staff feel involved and listened to. Inspectors observed staff practice as caring and warm. This helps create a happy and relaxed environment for children. One parent said, ‘They take good care of [name of child] and take care of me.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2581237 5 The manager’s internal reviewing and monitoring systems are effective. The manager ensures she has oversight of all documents and ensures that staff have read and understood children’s plans. The manager benefits from the external monitoring provided by the independent person. As a result, she has made improvements to children’s plans that capture the children’s voice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a wide variety of training offered to staff to help them understand the specific needs of the children they care for. This includes training in autism spectrum disorder, attachment and trauma, and online safety. This ensures that children are cared for by a highly skilled staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2581237 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that managers and staff are aware of the local offer setting out the support available for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.4)

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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: 2581237 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Your Chapter Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Hobart House, Oakwater Drive, Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 3SR

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Virginia Perkins

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Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2581237 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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Inspector

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