Children's Home run by Restorative Social Care Services Ltd in Calderdale

Inspection report for children’s home: 2590942 1 Registered provider: Restorative Social Care Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned and run children’s home that provides care for up to two children aged between seven and 17 years at the point of moving in. The purpose of the home is to support children to meet their own individual outcomes in line with their care plans by applying the home’s model of care.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in May 2020. The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2022.

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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: 2590942 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/03/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2590942 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Individualised care and support are provided to the children. The manager and staff consider the age and needs of the children and what they need in place to progress. Key-work sessions focus on topics and themes to help the children in specific areas. Staff want the best for children and for them to achieve in life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff work hard to develop positive relationships with the children. This includes their families and friends. Forming these relationships gives staff added insight into the children and their lives. Support is provided to the children to see the people who are important to them. Maintaining relationships between children and their loved ones is essential for their networks in later life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s experiences and progress in education are mixed. When children struggle with education, multi-agency meetings are held, in which the next steps to help children move forward in their learning are discussed. For one child, this has resulted in a more suitable provision. Another child does not attend any education or training. There are no plans in place to promote work aspirations for their future. The manager has not ensured that the child’s education, health and care plan and their personal education plan are up to date. This prevents them from achieving their desired targets, and staff helping them overcome obstacles.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of care for some children is not effective. Staff carry out key work sessions about health and lifestyle choices. Sometimes these are unsuccessful. One child does not go to health appointments, has missed immunisations and they continue to smoke cannabis. The work completed has not supported the child to understand the wider and long-lasting implications of not looking after their well- being. Also, there was a delay in seeking help from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) for a child’s mental health. This has been actioned now and staff are receiving help and advice from a CAMHS worker to support the children. This ensures that the approach and care for the children meet their needs and are therapeutic.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and welcoming. Staff maintain the home to a good standard, and the children’s bedrooms are decorated and personalised. Children can have a say in any changes. Recently, they helped pick out new wallpaper and furniture. This helps them feel that the home is theirs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The kitchen door is locked during the night, and the utility room door is locked all day. This prevents the children moving around their home at times. If they want a drink or food at night, they have to ask staff. This creates an institutional environment. Children need to be able to move around the home freely, at all times, as they would if they were living with their family. Inspection report for children’s home: 2590942 4 Children are supported by staff to develop independent living skills. Children make progress in learning to cook meals and travel alone. They develop their domestic and safe-care skills in line with their age and ability. This will help them in later life as they take what they have learned into adulthood.

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

Children’s risk assessments are detailed and effective. They provide staff with clear actions to follow when children are at risk of harm. The manager reviews and updates these assessments following incidents. This gives staff the most up-to-date information to help them assess the severity of the risks to children’s safety, as well as how to manage and reduce them.

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

There was an increase in missing-from-home episodes following the last inspection. These have reduced again. The manager and staff have worked hard with the children to achieve this change. Key-work sessions helped the children understand why it is important for staff to know where they are and who they are with. When these episodes do occur, staff are concerned about the children’s well-being. They have acted and followed the missing-from-home protocol. Finding children quickly helps keep them safe, reducing the risk of harm.

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

Physical intervention is rarely used in the home. It has only been used when children are in danger of hurting themselves or others. Staff follow procedures and the training they have had. Children and staff have an opportunity to talk about these incidents afterwards. This ensures that children can express how they feel and talk about their experience.

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

Significant incidents are managed well by the manager, with a multi-agency response. All staff and professionals are working towards the same plan for the children. Following any incidents, children are encouraged to speak to the staff. This helps staff to find triggers and change any plans to ensure that children are kept safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a supportive deputy. Their relationship works well for the dynamics of the home. Both are enthusiastic about achieving better outcomes for the children. Their dedication filters through to the team, whose members want the children to do well in life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is aware of the home’s strengths. There is a development plan in place to support the home to move forward. This ensures that any issues with staff are addressed. Staff receive guidance and support, ensuring that they have the skills and tools to care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete mandatory and bespoke training. This includes topics such as first aid, safeguarding and physical restraint training. Following serious incidents, arrangements have been made for staff to have specific training on knife crime. There are robust arrangements in place for supervision and team meetings. Staff discuss the Inspection report for children’s home: 2590942 5 children and any ongoing concerns, agreeing the best way forward. This helps staff practice evolve in line with the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Currently, the home does not meet all the aims and objectives set out in its statement of purpose. For example, support is not provided for children’s well-being by an in- house psychologist. Therefore, the statement is not a true reflection of what the service has to offer.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are firm in their commitment to employing the right people to care for children. The provider’s staff who are responsible for recruitment are trained in safer recruitment. This adds a layer of protection when employing new people. Inspection report for children’s home: 2590942 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, the 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers. (Regulation 8 (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager needs to ensure that the children’s education plans are up to date, and that they are helped to achieve their targets. 8 March 2023

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to— 8 March 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 2590942 7 achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being;

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a) (2)(a)(i)(iv)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager and staff need to ensure that children go to all their health appointments, immunisations are up to date and that they have access to the specialist services when needed.

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises. (Regulation 21 (b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the internal doors should not be locked during the day or night. 8 March 2023

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the statement of purpose should accurately reflect the service that is available to children who live in the home. 8 March 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 2590942 8

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the independent visitor speaks to parents to get their feedback. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.8)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should remove the broken furniture from children’s bedrooms. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.19)

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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: 2590942 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Restorative Social Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 8 Victoria Street, Greetland, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX4 8DF

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Mathew Micklethwaite

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Inspectors

Miriam Dolman, Social Care Inspector Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2590942 10 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 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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