Children's Home run by CareTech Community Services Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC005041 1 SC005041 Registered provider: Caretech Community Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to eight children with a range of disabilities and complex needs.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is an experienced qualified registered manager in post.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 13 December 2021

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC005041 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/12/2021 Full Good 12/11/2019 Full Good 26/06/2018 Full Good 21/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC005041 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Seven children live in the home. Since the last inspection, one child approaching adulthood and one young adult have moved on from the home and had positive experiences of doing so. For example, one child visited her new home on several occasions before moving and this enabled her to get to know the people who will be caring for her. Two children have moved into the home. The registered manager carefully considers children’s needs and their suitability to live in the home before their admission. This good practice promotes placement stability and helps staff to prepare children for change.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff are knowledgeable about children’s complex health needs. They ensure that children are registered with and can access local health services for routine appointments and health reviews. There are good systems in place for managing children’s medication.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Consistent routines for children help children to understand what is expected of them. Children’s attendance at school is good and they make good progress with their communication skills and learning. The registered manager is working with the local authority to find a suitable school for a child who recently moved to the area. In the meantime, staff implement a daily timetable at home that incorporates activities and promotes the child’s sensory needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to keep in touch with people who are important to them. One child recently returned from a short break with a family member. A parent spoke to the inspector about how staff have supported her to increase the time she spends with her child and how she now understands his communication needs better.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff have high expectations for children. Staff take account of children’s individual abilities and promote their independence. They understand children’s plans and through key work they identify targets for children to work towards. Individualised plans help children to make progress that supports and enhances their quality of life.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy taking part in activities at home and in the community. The sensory rooms provide children with a relaxing space that encourages their development. Children frequently participate in activities in the community. Plans are in place for some children to go to the theatre to watch a wrestling show and another child is going to a music concert. Staff are already planning a summer holiday for the children. This practice provides children with opportunities to experience new things and have fun.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has recently been redecorated. A lot of thought and effort have been taken by staff in personalising children’s bedrooms, ensuring that they are welcoming spaces for children to spend time in. Specialist lifting equipment is Inspection report for children’s home: SC005041 4 accessible throughout the home and is used to promote children’s dignity when staff need to support personal care.

p.3

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

The registered manager and staff understand children’s complex needs and the behaviours that are linked to these needs. This understanding is used to inform care plans and develop individualised routines for children.

p.4

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

Challenging incidents are rare and have reduced over time. One child who presented self-injurious behaviours no longer needs to wear a protective helmet at home or when in the community with staff.

p.4

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

Children have positive relationships with each other and staff. They are excited to return home after school and to see staff and children and spend time with them. One child spoke warmly of the relationships he has with staff and the children he lives with. This creates a caring environment and helps to keep children safe.

p.4

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

The registered manager ensures that children have opportunities to share their views, wishes and any concerns. On one occasion, a child reported a concern about a member of staff. This was taken seriously; information was shared with relevant professionals and a comprehensive investigation was completed. The manager has good links with the local authority designated officer.

p.4

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

Children have access to devices that can connect to the internet. Parental settings are in place and staff support children to browse the internet safely in line with their individual needs.

p.4

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

Two new staff have started work in the home since the last inspection and have been recruited safely.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and qualified. He has a clear vision for the home and understands the strengths and areas for development. Development plans are in place to maintain good standards and make improvements when necessary.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are present in the home and provide good oversight and support to staff and to children. As a result, changes in a child’s behaviours were identified and explored quickly. On another occasion, managers responded quickly when a child returned from school in a low mood. They soon learned that the child felt that he was missing out on spending time with friends after school. The manager requested a change to the child’s bus pick-up time, which resulted in the child being able to spend time with friends, and he returns home much happier.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most staff employed by the organisation hold a relevant qualification in health and social care. Four staff who do not hold an appropriate qualification are working towards achieving this. The registered manager ensures that staff complete training Inspection report for children’s home: SC005041 5 to carry out their role and responsibilities well. For example, staff have received training in epilepsy. Staff who have not completed Makaton training yet have access to resources to help them to develop their communication skills.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported. The registered manager and deputy manager ensure that staff receive regular supervision and an annual appraisal. These, coupled with monthly team meetings, help staff to reflect on practice, review children’s plans and share ideas to maximise the positive experiences children have. Inspection report for children’s home: SC005041 6

p.5

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: SC005041 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Caretech Community Services Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5th Floor, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

p.7

Inspector

Helen Malanaphy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC005041 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8