Children's Home run by Footsteps a Path to Change Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC446261 1 SC446261 Registered provider: Footsteps A Path To Change Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is part of a small private organisation. It offers care and accommodation for three young people who have complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home closed temporarily between January 2022 and June 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted last inspected the home in October 2020, when an assurance visit was undertaken. No serious or widespread concerns were identified at this visit.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager is now in post and registered with Ofsted in September 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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC446261 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/07/2019 Full Good 10/07/2018 Full Good 19/07/2017 Full Good 09/12/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC446261 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences of moving in and out of the home. Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home and one child has moved in. The child visited the home, met staff and personalised their bedroom before moving in. This good practice helped the child to settle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is registered with local health services and accesses routine health appointments when required. For example, the child is now up to date with all their immunisations. Staff seek advice from health professionals when there are concerns. Staff use this information to guide their practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The clinical team consult with the registered manager and staff team on a regular basis. These meetings provide time for the manager and staff to reflect on the child’s experiences and enable them to seek guidance on how best to respond to the child’s needs therapeutically.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of building positive relationships with children and show the child how much they care. Their approaches are nurturing and considerate of their past experiences. This helps the child living in the home to develop trust in the adults caring for them. The registered manager and staff also support the child’s identity and promote this with other professionals who the child has contact with.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of inspection, the child and staff were collecting items to donate to people who are homeless. This good work helps the child to develop an awareness of social issues and what can be done to help.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff help the child to understand the world they live in by having meaningful conversations that explore topics around race, equality, sexuality, mental health and disabilities. The child is able to ask questions and have these questions answered.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child participates in a range of activities at home and in the community. This strengthens relationships between staff and the child and provides them with opportunities to have fun and socialise with people who are not connected to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The views of the child are important to the registered manager and staff. For example, the child does not want the festive decorations displayed until a specific date; plans for displaying festive decorations take into account the child’s wishes and promote festive traditions that they are familiar with.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and professionals supporting the child have experienced difficulties in finding a suitable learning environment for them. Despite this, the child has recently completed a four-week education programme and his 100% attendance Inspection report for children’s home: SC446261 4 was a significant achievement which was celebrated by the staff and child. The registered manager has identified another course and plans are in place for the child to enrol on this programme. This will help the child with their learning until a suitable, longer-term education placement can be identified.

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

The child’s plans identify complex behaviours and risks. The plans provide staff with guidance on how to prevent and manage these should they occur. Staff have a good understanding of the child’s needs and respond well to incidents. This helps to keep the child safe and has resulted in a reduction in incidents.

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

Staff receive training in physical intervention. This has been used by staff once. There is a clear record about the incident which was overseen by a senior manager, as the registered manager was involved in the restraint.

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

On two occasions, the child has not been where they were expected to be. On both occasions, staff responded well. They looked for the child and maintained communication with them throughout. Staff worked well with professionals and shared information to support the child’s safe return. They attend meetings and contribute to plans designed to keep the child safe. The registered manager ensures that the child is provided with the opportunity to speak with an independent person, following any missing-from-home episode. Information gathered is used to inform plans and prevent and manage future incidents.

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

The registered manager promotes an open culture. Staff support the child to understand how to raise concerns. Since living in the home, the child has made two complaints. On both occasions, these have been taken seriously and investigated by the registered manager and the outcome explained to the child.

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

Staff help the child to reflect on their behaviours and develop strategies that will help them to manage their feelings. The child spoke to the inspector about the progress they have made since living in the home and what they need to do to continue their progression.

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

There are effective recruitment systems in place. This reduces the risk of children being cared for by unsuitable individuals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, a new manager and staff team have commenced work in the home. These changes took place when no children were living in the home. The child is cared for by a consistent staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Some staff hold a relevant qualification in the residential care of children. Staff who are not yet qualified are working towards achieving this. The registered manager Inspection report for children’s home: SC446261 5 ensures that staff receive training to support them in their role and to understand the specific needs for the child who lives in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. He has a clear vision for the home which is understood by staff. The home’s ethos is child-focused and promotes a positive environment for reflection and learning, which is used to inform practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by the registered manager and senior leaders. They benefit from regular team meetings and supervisions. This provides staff with the opportunity to discuss the care the child receives, and how they as individuals and as a team contribute to this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

On the rare occasion when there is a serious incident, the registered manager ensures that all relevant people are informed; this includes Ofsted. Inspection report for children’s home: SC446261 6

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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: SC446261 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Footsteps A Path To Change

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Footsteps A Path To Change Ltd, Landmark House, Station Road, Cheadle Hulme SK8 7BS

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Charlotte Davies

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Inspector

Helen Malanaphy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC446261 8 regulates and inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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