Children's Home run by Care 2 Share 2 Ltd in Redbridge

Inspection report for children’s home: SC052946 1 SC052946 Registered provider: Care 2 Share 2 Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for five children who have experienced abuse, trauma and/or neglect, and present with a range of complex needs and behaviours. This home is one of three children’s homes run by the same company. The home registered with Ofsted in 2003. The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2018 and is suitably qualified for the role.

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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: 22 February 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC052946 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/02/2022 Full Good 10/02/2020 Full Good 17/07/2018 Full Good 24/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC052946 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from long-term care in a stable and settled home. The staff are particularly skilled in their interactions with children. They build supportive relationships with children that contribute to their emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The careful assessment of each child has resulted in a group of children that get on well together, and live alongside one another amicably. Bullying is not a concern. On the contrary, children show acceptance and tolerance of each other. Children celebrate each other’s birthdays and enjoy group holidays. These provide children with happy memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from good routines that support a productive day in school or college. All of the children attend school or college, and their attendance is good. Children work towards academic and vocational qualifications that suit their learning needs, interests and abilities. Staff attend education meetings and address any barriers to learning with the child and school staff. Weekends also have some structure. Children contribute to household chores, clean their bedrooms, and meet with the staff to share their views, which ends with a takeaway of the children’s choice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy some leisure activities and there is a gym in the home’s garage. Children have friends and separate interests outside of the home, and these help them to live together without conflict. Staff encourage healthy eating. Meals are balanced and include fresh fruit and vegetables. Staff have great culinary skills. The children enjoy a diverse range of home-cooked dishes, which they talk about with enthusiasm.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s social workers are extremely positive about the benefits to children of living at the home. Social workers say that children are happy and settled. Children like and trust the staff, who are instrumental in the progress that they have made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s strong relationships with the staff help them to air their wishes and feelings. Staff ensure that structured meetings are held each week. The children attend these meetings and share their ideas and day-to-day choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a detached house in a pleasant residential street close to local amenities. Children’s bedrooms are clean, comfortable and furnished in line with their preferences. However, the hall and landing have dated wallpaper, the lounge and hallway flooring is ill fitting, the floor trim is worn around the fireplace, and redundant surveillance cameras have been left in communal areas. The games room does not maintain a moderate temperature, making it uncomfortable in the cold weather. These factors do not encourage children to build a sense of ownership and pride in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC052946 4

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

All of the children are safer since moving to the home. This is because staff have realistic expectations and have built trusting relationships with them. Children who arrived with significant areas of concern in regard to being exploited and criminalised have worked well with staff to reduce and address these risks.

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

Children and staff have relationships that are based on mutual respect. There are some behavioural challenges to which staff responses are consistent and considered. Challenging behaviours are managed well. The staff do not rely on or involve the police or use physical interventions to manage incidents.

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

The staff are vigilant and knowledgeable about each child. They make it their business to know where children are and what they are doing. They are curious and carefully monitor children’s presentation and mood. Staff regularly talk to children regarding sexual health and substance misuse. They provide the children with helpful information, and external support services visit the home. Although there are children who use substances, they are provided with ample information and support. Staff do not shy away from difficult conversations, and take a concerned, parental role. Staff approach with children the risks of using substances with unconditional support, honesty and information.

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

Fire checks are routine and include practise evacuations. The house is on two floors and the fire prevention measures are detailed in the fire risk assessment. However, the risk assessment fails to include occasional instances when children have been smoking in their bedrooms, which could increase the risk of fire.

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

When children have made allegations about staff, these have been reported quickly to the child’s social worker and the local authority designated officer. Investigations are carried out. However, these have not been notified to Ofsted, along with one other serious incident involving a child being arrested. Failing to share these incidents affects Ofsted’s ability to effectively oversee the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is established, experienced and conscientious. She takes considerable pride in her role and is focused on the children’s experiences. A deputy manager supports the manager. They work closely together to support the staff team. The staff team is positive and focused. The managers and staff are consistent in their approach to children. A culture of mutual respect underpins their relationships with children, and this contributes to a settled home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are good role models for new staff. Staff are given a clear induction and regular supervision. Training is planned well and provides staff with the knowledge and skills to meet children’s needs. Staff benefit from regular team meetings that focus on individual children. Staff produce a monthly summary of the children. This includes their progress, current concerns and any risks. These reports are Inspection report for children’s home: SC052946 5 comprehensive and give the manager and social workers a clear, evidential overview of children’s progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has an organised approach. The records are regularly updated and reflect children’s current needs and risks. Managerial monitoring is good. The review of care is detailed and evaluative, linking to actions to improve the home. However, the independent person’s reports are very similar. They lack the scope and depth in order to make an evidential report. These do not provide enough scrutiny to ensure continuous improvement and critical oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff take immense pride in being a part of the team and work hard to provide the best possible care to the children. The staff provided positive feedback during the inspection that demonstrates a strong commitment to the children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC052946 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, 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

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 any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, notify Ofsted of all safeguarding incidents that are notifiable events.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 1 April 2023

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that reports are detailed, individual and provide enough scrutiny to drive improvements. 1 June 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meet the needs of the children. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. In particular, remove the unused surveillance cameras, redecorate the hall, and replace the flooring in the hall and lounge. Ensure that the games room is warm enough and amend the fire risk assessment Inspection report for children’s home: SC052946 7 to include risks of children smoking in bedrooms. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: SC052946 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Care 2 Share 2 Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 46 The Ridgeway, North Harrow, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 7QN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Mehnaaz Chaudhary

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC052946 9 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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