Children's home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Wolverhampton

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC020859 1 SC020859

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Registered provider: Progress Children’s Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider and is registered to provide care for up to six children who have learning disabilities and associated emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 29 November 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: SC020859 2

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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.

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The care of children

The same three children remain living in this home. Children are making plans for their futures. For example, one child is looking forward to World Book Day and excitingly showed the inspector his costume that has been purchased for him to celebrate the event.

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The care of children

The home has benefited from redecoration and maintenance work being carried out since the last inspection. Children have been involved in choosing items and colour schemes for their bedrooms. A new system is now in place to ensure that maintenance work is quickly carried out.

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The care of children

Each child’s preferred communication methods have been revisited and individual plans put in place. As a result, children’s communication aids are now accessible to children, and they are better able to communicate with staff. This has helped to build up positive relationships.

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The safety of children

The inspector was aware during this inspection that a child has made allegations against members of the staff team. These are under investigation by the appropriate authorities. The organisation has worked openly with all professionals and has promptly shared information. The organisation has acted to help keep everyone safe while the investigation is ongoing. This will be considered again at the next inspection when all the information is available.

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The safety of children

On one occasion, a child went missing for a short period while on an outing with staff. Staff took quick action, and the child was quickly found. Work has since been carried out with the child to help him understand what happened. Reflection work has also been carried out with staff.

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The safety of children

Although work has been carried out with staff to help them to understand children’s behaviours and associated risks, this remains an area for development. For example, the inspector observed a staff member allowing a child to sit on the lounge furniture to watch the television. The member of staff did not demonstrate their understanding of the risk to the child should he have fallen. No action was taken until this practice was questioned by the inspector. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC020859 3

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager is now registered with Ofsted. She and her new deputy manager have worked hard to start to make the necessary improvements to the home. As a result, all but one of the requirements raised at the last inspection have been met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A training analysis has taken place. This has identified staff’s training needs. Much of this training has now taken place and further training is booked. A member of staff confirmed that she is benefiting from this training and said that it is really helping her in her day-to-day practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The management team now has in place more-developed monitoring tools to help them oversee the running of the home. There is now a system in place to allocate tasks. This means that documents such as the location risk assessment and statement of purpose are now up to date. Furthermore, staff supervision sessions are now taking place in line with the company’s policy. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC020859 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/09/2021 Full Inadequate 12/06/2019 Full Good 14/12/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC020859 5

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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 the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that staff take quick action to assess whether children are at risk of harm.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the previous inspection and is restated. 28 April 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC020859 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Progress Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Progress House, 127 Millfields Road, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire WV4 6JG

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Inspector

Louise Battersby, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC020859 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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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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