Children's home run by Homes2Inspire Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2686745 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private company that is owned and operated by a national charity. It provides care for up to two children. The home cares for children who may have emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2686745 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children's home: 2686745 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff team demonstrates a genuine commitment towards the children. Staff and children have positive relationships. This helps children to settle at the home after moving in and gets them on track to make progress. The good relationships children have with staff also support children to feel safe, settled and content.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff show children genuine affection and emotional warmth. Staff ensure that they recognise and celebrate each child’s progress and achievements, no matter what these may be. This is captured using photos, memory books and other records, helping children develop a sense of belonging. As a result, children are nurtured and feel secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is homely and welcoming, and it is decorated to a high standard. The children’s bedrooms are comfortable and reflect their tastes and interests. The children commented on how much they like their bedrooms and the overall environment. This means that children can be proud of and enjoy their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported, through good planning, to spend time with their families and those they are close to. The staff regularly involve parents, carers and important family members in decisions that are made about the children. Staff understand the importance to children of these relationships. Consequently, this helps children to be happy and settled and to maintain a sense of their identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to maintain good health. Their health needs are well considered and met by staff. Staff work very closely and proactively with a variety of external health professionals. When children have increased fears or anxiety in relation to attending health appointments, work is completed to reassure the child and to help them understand the importance of attending these appointments. This ensures children’s physical and emotional well-being are maintained.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers are strong advocates for children. They have challenged relevant professionals when children have not received their entitlement to education. Managers have escalated their concerns to the children’s commissioner when there have continued to be delays in delivering a child’s education entitlement. As a result, the child is now receiving education.

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

Children stated that they feel safe and happy. They feel that staff support them and teach them how to keep safe. The children have individual risk assessments that give clear instructions about how staff should protect children. Staff understand the children’s risk assessments well and ensure that they adhere to them fully. Inspection report for children's home: 2686745 4 Staff manage children’s behaviour effectively, and physical intervention has not been required. Staff help and support children to learn how to regulate their behaviours and to understand the emotions that can often be a trigger to certain behaviours. As a result, children listen to staff and have become better able to manage their own anxiety and impulsive behaviours.

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

The staff also use behavioural consequences to support children to learn about the impact of their behaviour. However, on both occasions when these have been used, they have been excessive. The manager has reflected on this and is supporting staff to move towards a restorative approach to behaviour management. This will ensure that approaches are not punitive and support the child to learn and develop.

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

Incidents of children going missing from care have significantly been reduced for one child since moving to the home. When children go missing from care, the manager and staff are diligent in following the correct protocols and procedures. Recording of such events is detailed and has the required clarity to ensure records are understandable. In the event of a child going missing from care, staff work closely and proactively with relevant involved agencies and professionals to find the child and bring them home safely.

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

The manager has completed a detailed location risk assessment. To complete this, she canvassed the views of the local police, social workers and others. She has gained a good understanding of the specific risks to children in the area. The assessment is informative for staff in the event of children going missing, as it highlights specific risks and vulnerabilities for children.

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

The pre-employment checks for prospective new staff do not yet demonstrate attention to detail. This particularly relates to pre-employment checks of references, where one reference had not been verbally verified. Consequently, this leads to an increased risk that unsuitable staff may be employed at the home to care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is dedicated to the children and staff. She is a positive role model and demonstrates a genuine commitment to helping children make progress in all areas of their lives. She is instrumental in the good standard of care provided to children. The staff speak with enthusiasm about the children and the progress they are making. As a result, the team has confidence in themselves and in the manager and values the leadership she provides. One staff member said, ‘We have a supportive team, and we are like a family.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good monitoring systems to help her understand the strengths and weaknesses. The manager has implemented several systems and tools to support her to monitor and evaluate the continuous improvements in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have a genuine sense of commitment and loyalty. There is a real sense of family between the staff and children. Children are at the centre of everything the Inspection report for children's home: 2686745 5 staff do. As a result, children have considerable trust in the staff and the manager. The manager is working hard to embed a positive ethos, which helps to make sure that care is consistent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has recruited a diverse staff team. This has enriched the quality of care. Some members of the team are new. They receive daily support and guidance from the manager and more experienced colleagues. However, records of supervision do not contain reflective practice. Despite this, staff say they feel well supported by the manager. One staff member said, ‘I love it here. I really do. [The manager] is the best manager that I think I have ever had.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership work with external agencies is very good. External agencies commented on effective communication and collaborative work. One professional said, ‘Communication has always been excellent. The manager has been proactive and is very good.’ Another professional added, ‘The home has been very good overall, and they are good advocates.’ These comments are testament to the hard work and dedication of staff and managers. Inspection report for children's home: 2686745 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. This is in relation to consequences being punitive. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)  The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. This is in relation to a reference not being verbally verified. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure systems are in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately

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Recommendations

qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. This is in relation to supervision, including reflective practice. (Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 2686745 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lumonics House Valiant Office Suites, Swift Valley, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby CV21 1TQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Matthew Earnshaw

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Inspectors

Zoey Lee, Social Care Inspector Linda Mason, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2686745 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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