Children's Home run by First 4 Care Limited in Doncaster

Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 1 Registered provider: First 4 Care Limited 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. It provides care and support for up to two children who have a learning disability. The home is committed to providing care to children on a long-, medium- and short-term basis, depending on the needs of the child.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered on 7 December 2020. There has been no change in manager since registration. There are currently two children living at the home.

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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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/03/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience stability and consistency of care from individuals who know them well and understand their complex health and learning needs. Children are thriving on the well-established routines that give them a sense of predictability in their lives. This helps the children to feel settled and content in their surroundings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Impact risk assessments are completed on all children who come to live at this home. Children experience a well-planned and individualised introduction to their new home that considers their learning needs. This promotes positive beginnings and gives children a sense of familiarity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are able to develop trusting relationships with the manager and the staff. The manager and the deputy are very much a visual presence, and children have freedom of movement throughout the home, closely supervised by staff. The home radiates warmth and love, and the children get much joy and comfort from looking after and playing with the home’s pet dog.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Positive relationships have been established with health, education and social care professionals. This coordinated and well-managed approach in a culture of open communication ensures the children’s complex needs are being met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care plans are exceptionally child-centred and focused on giving children a voice. Through communication boards and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) symbols, children are given choices in their day-to-day care. Children’s identified targets are visual and focused on a ‘small-steps approach’. Their lives improve, and over time they develop more independence skills relative to their learning disabilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professional feedback is extremely positive and both children are very settled. Education has been and remains a priority for the manager and staff. One child is really settled in school and looks forward to going every morning. The school reports that this child has made measurable progress, and there is daily communication between the home and school. The manager continues to be a strong advocate when a school place is needed for children who come to live at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Activities inside and outside of the home and days out are well planned and tailored to each child’s individual choices. Much emphasis is given to finding out what the children like to do, and this helps to provide them with positive experiences.

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

The risks and vulnerabilities of the children are well documented, and this underpins the day-to-day care of the children. Keeping the children safe is a priority, and staff are very much attuned to changes in the children’s mood and behaviour. Staff Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 4 respond sensitively and can often re-direct the children through distraction or by using the ‘change of face’ technique. This has significantly reduced self-injurious behaviour.

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

There has been a real emphasis on creating a safe and open culture where staff understand their responsibilities in safeguarding and protecting children. The atmosphere in the home and the observed interactions with the children demonstrate that they are safe and feel safe. Children’s demeanour and behaviour suggest that they are comfortable with the adults that care for them.

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

Behaviour management plans and risk assessments capture each child’s complex health and learning needs. This informs the methods taken to ensure children are safe both in the home and when out in the community. Through the use of PECS symbols, children are helped to understand what measures staff will take to keep them safe from harm.

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

Staff are confident in their safeguarding responsibilities. There is clear guidance on whistle-blowing and reporting unsafe practice. This means that children are better protected, and staff can be the voice for the child if such a need arises.

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

The escalation in one child’s behaviour and the increase in serious incidents resulted in the child moving from the home. Some of these incidents were not reported to Ofsted, and this compromised the ability of the regulator to have knowledge and oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a competent and dedicated leader who has a visual presence in the home. He is supported by an equally committed deputy manager who provides that additional layer of guidance and support to the staff. All staff said they felt well supported, had good training opportunities and received regular supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses a range of monitoring and auditing processes to ensure the smooth running of the home. The manager’s oversight and ability to ‘think outside the box’ enhance the lives and experiences of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Much effort is made to making the home feel warm and welcoming. There are lots of photos of the children engaging in various activities, such as swimming, soft play and day trips. The children’s life-story books capture many memories of how happy and settled the children are in their home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager regularly consults with professionals and is a good advocate for the children. This often means that ‘things get done’, and the children do not lose out. If a child needs glasses and will not go to the optician, the optician will come to the home. These small but significant touches improve the quality of life for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a source of encouragement for staff in their professional development. This has led to opportunities for staff to progress through internal Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 5 promotion. The home is very much a learning environment with face-to-face training in areas such as Makaton and epilepsy awareness. There are daily questions on a range of topics that improve staff awareness and confidence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Potential and new employees go through a rigorous interview and verification process to ensure they are suitable to work with children. Induction and probationary periods provide staff with the support they need to acquire the necessary skills and experience to confidently fulfil their role. Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 6

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Statutory requirement

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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii) (e)) 28 February 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: 2575463 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: First 4 Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 St. Wilfrids Road, Bessacarr, Doncaster DN4 6AA

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Inspector

Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection. 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

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Inspector

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 .

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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