Children's Home run by Core Children Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 1 Registered provider: Core Children Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2022 and holds a leadership and management qualification at level 5.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first inspection the home has received since it registered in July 2022. At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. The child has settled in quickly and has developed a good relationship with the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to make good progress in important areas of his life. Individual care plans and risk assessments identify the child’s needs and outline the measures in place to meet those needs. Key-work sessions are individualised and planned in accordance with the child’s care plan. This makes the child feel valued and listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives support with his education that is based on his individual needs and abilities. Staff work positively and proactively with schools to promote the child’s learning and educational achievements. Staff provide direct support to the child in his education setting when necessary.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s physical and emotional health needs are supported through staff working with specialist health services. These links are important in helping the child to process previous difficult experiences which might otherwise continue to impact negatively on his physical and emotional health. Appropriate arrangements are in place for the safe administration and recording of medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to spend time with the people who are important to him. Staff advocate for the child to spend time with these people when it is safe to do so.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has an effective voice regarding his care and daily routines in the home. He is frequently consulted about his care and contributes to his safety plans and risk assessments. The child’s views, wishes and feelings are taken account of and he receives caring responses from staff, who are keen to make his life fulfilling. Staff ensure that there is structure in place, and they have realistic expectations and boundaries.

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

All staff are clear about their safeguarding responsibilities and demonstrate a good understanding of the child’s individual needs. Staff ensure that tailored risk management plans help to identify potential dangers and risks associated with the child’s activities. These are kept under regular review to ensure that strategies remain effective.

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

The child benefits from high staffing levels that afford him constant support and supervision. The structured daily and weekly routines support the child to feel secure in his home environment as he knows what is happening and what is Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 4 planned for him. Staff also use their knowledge of the child to recognise triggers to unsafe behaviour. Staff quickly recognise when the child is distressed or anxious and can deter potentially harmful behaviour. As a result, the number of incidents requiring physical intervention is reducing over time.

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

Staff have responded well to incidents when the child has been missing from the home or absent without permission. There are good links with other agencies, such as the police and local authority, which helps to ensure that the child returns safely. The child has his own individual missing-from-home strategies for staff to follow. The child always has an opportunity to talk with an independent person on his return home. This helps to add detail to existing information and gives assurance that any issues in the home that have led to the missing-from-home episode will be identified and acted on.

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

The manager ensures that the child lives in a home that provides physical safety and security. Fire safety and health and safety checks are regularly carried out. Records show that the child and staff regularly practise evacuating the building so that they know how to respond in an emergency or fire.

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

The child is protected by the organisation’s safer recruitment practice. Staff are vetted and assessed as suitable before any appointment is confirmed. These procedures promote the safety of the child by preventing unsuitable adults from working with him.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced manager. The manager knows the child well, and he has created a warm and nurturing environment and a positive ethos among the team. All staff feel supported and speak positively about the manager as being a knowledgeable, supportive and caring leader.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff benefit from regular formal supervision meetings to discuss the care of the child and their own training and development. Good communication systems exist, which consist of regular staff meetings and daily shift handovers to provide everyone with up-to-date information. This assists in providing continuity of care for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well trained and competent. They have good access to training opportunities to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills they need for their work with the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates a strong commitment to driving forward improvement. He has internal systems to monitor and have oversight of the home. He consults regularly with the child and stakeholders to ensure that the home continues to offer what the child needs. The manager is a strong advocate for the child and provides effective challenge to placing authorities and education providers, when required. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 5 The manager has established good working relationships with external professionals, including the police, health professionals and placing authorities. This partnership approach means that the child benefits from the full range of support and guidance provided by other professionals in the community. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 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: 2682113 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Core Children Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Trent House, 234 Victoria Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 2LW

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 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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