Children's home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2523037 1 Registered provider: Time-Out Childrens Homes Limited 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 operated by a private company. The home is registered to provide care for up to two children who may have emotional and/or social difficulties. There is currently one child living at this home and one child has recently moved out.

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Information about this children’s home

The organisation provides individual therapy for the children in its care. If required, children can access the organisation’s school.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 16 April 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 21 February 2022

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2523037 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/02/2022 Full Outstanding 22/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2523037 3

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outstanding

Children living at this home are making exceptional progress. They receive high- quality care from staff who are invested in them. Children are provided with consistency from staff, who afford them with high levels of care and nurture. As a result, children experience stability, and this provides a strong foundation for them to achieve and do well.

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outstanding

Staff are knowledgeable about trauma and early attachment and how this can impact on children’s behaviours. Staff work closely with a clinical team, including a psychologist and therapists. This ensures that children’s needs are fully understood.

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outstanding

Relationships between children and staff are based on mutual respect. Children’s views are listened to and respected. Staff advocate for children when they are not being listened to by others. One child said, ‘I could trust them [staff]. Even though I didn’t always agree with them, I knew they wanted what was best for me.’

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outstanding

When preparing children to come and live at the home, staff pay attention to what matters to the child. For one child who has recently moved in, staff used their knowledge of the child’s love of role-playing game characters to help to prepare them. This included designing a welcome booklet that was based on their favourite characters and taking a soft toy for the child on each visit. The child and their toys then made the move together. This has helped the child to settle quickly.

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outstanding

Staff are keen to develop children’s interests and hobbies. One child has very recently moved in. Staff have secured them a place at the local cubs group. This is helping the child to make friends in the local area.

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outstanding

Children make strong and sustained educational progress at this home. Staff understand the barriers to learning that children face. One child who struggled significantly in school is now well on their way to realising their dream of becoming a mechanic. Another child has been supported to remain at their school so that they can transition at the same time as their peers. Staff have worked well with the school and are sharing their knowledge of trauma with school staff. Children’s education and employment outcomes are improving because of this.

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outstanding

Where appropriate, children are helped to have meaningful relationships with those people who are important to them. Children have family time in line with their plans. Staff work well with parents and value their input. One child was able to go on their first ever family holiday abroad, supported by a staff member. The child’s parent said, ‘It was really good. [Name of staff member] made it work, it felt natural.’ Children’s identity is promoted and, as such, children feel that they belong. Inspection report for children’s home: 2523037 4 Staff have a sound understanding of child development. Children are supported to develop independence skills that are appropriate to their age and developmental stage. One child is learning self-care skills. Staff are brushing their own teeth alongside the child. The child is now more accepting of this part of their routine. An older child was supported to gain his motorcycle licence and take part in work

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outstanding

experience at a garage. Children are learning the skills they need to be successful.

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outstanding

Children feel safe and are kept safe because staff know them well and can predict when incidents may arise. Staff put measures in place to manage situations effectively. For example, one child was informed of a change in their plan by a professional during a meeting, without any prior warning. Staff acted quickly to reassure the child and find out their wishes and feelings. Because of this, the child was enabled to have a say in what happened next. This helped the child to feel secure.

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outstanding

The manager and staff have a balanced approach to risk taking. Children are supported to have age-appropriate freedoms. One child has spent more time with their friends in the local community in preparation for them moving back to their family. The trust between the child and staff was strengthened and parents felt more confident in their child’s ability to accept boundaries.

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outstanding

Incidents are rare. However, when they do occur, staff are quick to respond. Staff work incredibly hard to ensure that children learn from their mistakes. Detailed reflection and research-based learning are completed with children. One child was involved in a fight with a peer. The manager worked with the child to help them to understand the potential harm that one punch can cause. This helped the child to understand risk and learn more about making informed decisions.

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outstanding

Negative consequences are not used. This is in line with the home’s therapeutic approach. Natural consequences are built into children’s day-to-day care. For example, children can earn tokens for ‘tech-time’ through desired behaviours, such as getting ready for bed. The child is supported to remember what they need to do through attractive visual reminders that are displayed in the home. Children’s behaviour is improving.

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outstanding

Staff have not had to take hold of children to keep them safe during incidents. Staff use their relationships with children to soothe and settle them. Staff help children to understand and manage their big emotions. Children are living in a home that is calm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is passionate about getting it right for children. They lead by example. Staff spoke of how they are inspired by the manager’s drive to make a difference for children and they want to be like her. One member of staff said that the manager Inspection report for children’s home: 2523037 5 has given them back their passion. Staff are clearly motivated and enjoy caring for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s plans are clear and well understood by staff. Plans are reviewed regularly, and children’s views taken into account. One child’s plan to return to the care of their family was brought forward at the child’s request. The staff and manager approached this with high levels of flexibility. Children receive a personalised approach from staff, who know how to help them to succeed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager develops effective working relationships with professionals and others involved in the children’s lives. She is quick to challenge poor practice of other professionals when it occurs, and escalates her concerns if the required change does not happen. This helps to ensure that the children’s needs are consistently met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager understands the stigma that can affect children who do not live with their families. She prides herself in maintaining a positive relationship with the local community. The manager deals quickly with any issues that arise. One child and their friends were going into a neighbor’s garden uninvited. Staff helped the child to understand the impact of their behaviour through reflective conversations. The child wrote a heartfelt letter of apology. The community has maintained a positive view of the home. As such, children live in harmony with their local community.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive effective supervision and training that helps them to understand the needs of children. Several staff recognised that they did not have enough knowledge and understanding about one child’s diagnosis. They independently contacted the therapist to request advice and guidance. The manager undertook research into the child’s condition and arranged a team training session. Staff have the skills they need to understand and meet children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has systems in place that support effective monitoring of all aspects of the home. The manager uses consultation and evaluation to inform plans for development. Any concerns are quickly identified and addressed. Children’s experiences of living at the home are continuously improving. Inspection report for children’s home: 2523037 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: 2523037 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Time-Out Childrens Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2, Ripponden Mill, Mill Fold, Ripponden, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX6 4DH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Dominic Macauley

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Inspector

Rachel Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2523037 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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