Children's home run by Nestlings Care Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 1 Registered provider: Nestlings Care Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care for up to three children. The home provides support for children who may have complex mental health problems and/or learning disabilities. Three children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since August 2021.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

The care of children

The children said that this is a good place to live. They express confidence in staff to give them the care and support they need. A child said, ‘This is the best placement I have been in, and I am doing well. The staff have stuck by me even when I am not in a good place. They always have my back.’

p.2

The care of children

Children benefit from a bespoke package of care that is individually tailored to their needs. Their day-to-day experiences are very much influenced by their needs and risks at any given time. Staff are responsive to this, continually adapting plans to offer children the best possible educational, social and recreational experiences. A parent said, ‘I am relieved that [name of child] is here. I can tell that the staff really care, and I trust the staff to keep her safe. They do a sound job and give her what she needs at any given time.’

p.2

The safety of children

Children’s safety is given a high priority. Their needs, behaviours and risks are managed effectively by staff, who are supported well by the in-house mental health practitioners. A child said, ‘I have a lot of trust in the staff. When I am struggling, staff keep me safe.’

p.2

The safety of children

Staff take a calming and reassuring approach to behaviour management. They recognise triggers and make good use of positive relationships to help children manage the challenges they face in everyday life.

p.2

The safety of children

Physically holding children is often necessary to protect them from harming themselves or anyone else. Children confirm that when they have been physically held, they have felt it to be the action of staff who genuinely care about their well- being.

p.2

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted, although there has been a significant delay in this respect. The manager is experienced, child-focused and provides good leadership and support for staff.

p.2

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There have been several changes to the staff team since the last inspection. This has resulted in a relatively inexperienced care team and a continued reliance on agency staff. There is no evidence to indicate that this has been detrimental to the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 3 care of children. However, a child said, ‘I understand why it is necessary, but it is not helpful to have agency staff around when I am struggling.’

p.2

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has a good understanding of children’s experiences and is fully involved in all aspects of care planning. She makes good use of internal and external quality assurance processes to review and improve the quality of care. However, the last review of the quality of care did not include the feedback and opinions of children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Four requirements and two recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed. Restraint records have been improved also, but this is work in progress. This requirement is repeated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 11/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/03/2020 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

p.5

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

p.5

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)) 31 March 2023

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

p.5

Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it. (Regulation 45 (2)(b)) 31 March 2023

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should consider ways of reducing the use of agency staff as a means of improving continuity of care for the children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.15) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nestlings Care Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 4, 1 Derby Street, Leigh, Lancashire WN7 4PF

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Anthony Thompson

p.6

Inspector

Paul Scott, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

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 .

p.7

Inspector

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 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 .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7