Children's Home run by 5ab Care Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2590405 1 Registered provider: 5ab Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to three children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 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

Date of last inspection: 1 February 2022

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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: 2590405 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2590405 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children live in the home. One child has lived in the home for nearly two years, the other children have lived there for nearly one year. The overall experiences for children are positive. Adults forge strong relationships with children. They genuinely care about children and take pride in their achievements. This positive affirmation encourages children to achieve their goals. As a result, all children are making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm and welcoming and has a family atmosphere. Children’s belongings fill the home, their photos and achievements are on display. Books and games are easily accessible and soft furnishings help to create a nurturing environment. Children personalise their bedrooms, which gives them a sense of pride in their home and promotes their well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults help to promote children’s learning. Two children attend school regularly and are making good progress from their starting points. One child lacks motivation and requires constant encouragement to attend school and engage. Despite this challenge, adults have successfully supported the child to reintegrate into education despite them having a history of poor school attendance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are cared for by adults who understand their needs very well. Adults are always thinking of creative ways to best support children. Children benefit from these positive relationships which support them to progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with people who are important to them. Adults work with families to ensure that this is a positive experience for children. One family member told the inspector that adults keep them informed about their child. This practice means that children can maintain a sense of belonging within their families, and it promotes their sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy living at the home and feel safe. One child told the inspector, ‘They are just perfect, the best thing about living here is the high level of respect all the adults have for me.’

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

The manager and adults demonstrate a great understanding of children’s vulnerabilities and potential risks posed to them. Clear guidance and strategies to follow are recorded in written risk assessments. This helps to ensure that children are protected from harm.

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

Children do not go missing from the home. Concerns about children who have previously gone missing from care have reduced, and there have been no missing- from-care incidents while they have lived at the home. If a child was to go missing Inspection report for children’s home: 2590405 4 from the home, there are risk assessments in place which give the adults clear direction on how to respond and manage this risk.

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

Adults educate children around risk. Children take part in key-work sessions and engage in meetings where safeguarding scenarios are discussed to address identified risks and raise their awareness about topics of concern. This direct work includes online safety and stranger danger. This positive work enhances children’s knowledge of risk and allows them to take the lead in their learning.

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

Incidents of restraint are minimal. When restraint has been used, it has been managed well. Restraint is used as a last resort and is necessary and proportionate. Children have individual behaviour support plans. Adults use de-escalation techniques to support children. The adults work well with children so that children understand behaviour that may present a risk to them.

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

Managers and adults place a high priority on keeping children safe. They work in partnership with placing authorities to protect children and promote their safety. The effectiveness of these relationships helps children to feel safe and secure. Adults are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities, and they have a good knowledge of whistle-blowing procedures. The depth of adults’ safeguarding knowledge is continually reflected on during team meetings and supervision sessions.

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

The manager ensures that appropriate actions are taken to safeguard adults and children when allegations or complaints are made. There is good communication between adults, social workers and local authority designated officers. Good oversight and scrutiny of allegations and complaints help to protect children from harm.

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

Managers do not monitor, review and evaluate consequences given to children effectively. Managers lack professional curiosity and fail to identify shortfalls in adults’ recording and practice. Consequences given are not restorative in nature or in line with the home’s ethos and the children’s age and understanding.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and suitably qualified, he has good understanding of the strengths and development needs of the home. He is passionate, child focused, and children are at the centre of everything he does. The manager proactively sets clear standards of care. His committed and determined approach continues to drive improvements in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high expectations and aspirations for children. The adults share the manager’s vision, which is demonstrated through the culture and ethos of the home. This ensures that children receive good-quality care from a dedicated and ambitious team of adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Adults speak positively about working at the home. The manager is well regarded and is nurturing towards the team, which creates an environment where adults feel Inspection report for children’s home: 2590405 5 well supported. There is effective support and challenge, and the manager ensures that all actions are reviewed. This means that poor practice is addressed effectively and that good practice is promoted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Adults are provided with a wide range of training that informs their practice and meets children’s individual and diverse needs. Team meetings and supervision sessions take place monthly and are used as a place for reflection and learning. Important issues are tracked and discussed, and children are at the centre of all practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of the home. Effective auditing tools are utilised which produce action plans to develop the adults’ practice further and promote consistency in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has established strong connections with partner agencies. Professionals are positive about the communication with the team and about the care provided for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2590405 6

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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

No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child.

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Requirement Due date

The following measures may not be used to discipline any child—

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Requirement Due date

imposing a financial penalty, other than a requirement for the payment of a reasonable sum (which may be by instalments) by way of reparation. (Regulation 19 (1) (2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that consequences are restorative in nature, in line with the ethos of the home, and appropriate to the children’s age and understanding. 14 May 2023

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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: 2590405 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Jones Hunt Limited, 71 Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin SG4 0TY

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Inspector

Marianne Grandfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2590405 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 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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