Children's home run by Homes 2 Inspire Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2629097 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private company, which is owned by a national charity. It can provide care for up to three children with social, emotional and behavioral difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since May 2022. A manager was appointed but left before completing registration with Ofsted. A new manager has been appointed and started on 1 March 2023.

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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 inspectors 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: 2629097 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

This inspection was carried out following an increase in notifications sent to Ofsted by the provider relating to allegations against staff, and the sudden departure of the home manager. Since the last inspection, two children have been supported to move on from the home to independent living. Another child has moved from the home due to an escalation in unforeseen risks which was impacting on other children. Currently, two children remain living in the home.

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The care of children

The educational progress for children is mixed. Where there are shortfalls in one child’s engagement, these have been escalated to the virtual school to provide individual tutoring. Another child is engaging well in their education and making progress.

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The care of children

Children are healthy and enjoy being active. However, one child’s health condition identified in their care planning is not fully understood by staff. However, this has not impacted the child’s well-being to date.

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The safety of children

Some staff have not always role modelled appropriate behaviour with children and, subsequently, children have raised concerns. These concerns have been reported appropriately, and professional boundaries training for staff has taken place where needed.

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The safety of children

Risks for children are understood by the staff. However, the staff are not proactive in educating children about current risks such as accessing social media and age restrictions. This is a missed opportunity to support children’s learning around e- safety.

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The safety of children

There are plans for the local safeguarding team to complete work with staff and children in the home. This is due to an increase in allegations being made about staff. Staff have not been proactive in supporting children to understand allegation processes and their safeguarding needs.

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The safety of children

The requirement regarding safer recruitment made at the previous inspection has been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2629097 3

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and the action to take when a child makes an allegation or complaint. They know the role of the local authority designated officer and feel confident to report any concerns made by children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff sometimes implement consequences for children’s behaviour so they can learn about positive behaviour. However, on occasion, this is not always restorative in nature and some records have not been completed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Some staff have worked excessive hours during difficult periods for children. For example, some staff have worked double shifts and waking nights followed by a double shift. Consequently, some staff have not been given sufficient time to rest between shifts. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2629097 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/05/2022 Full Good 04/01/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2629097 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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour

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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

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children. (Regulation 11 (1)(b) (2)(a)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to when children raise allegations against staff. 5 May 2023

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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

help each child to understand how to keep safe. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider should ensure that appropriate measures are in place regarding social media restrictions for children, and ensure work is carried out with children regarding appropriate relationships. 5 May 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2629097 6 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

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(d)) 5 May 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

is an organisation or a partnership. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the newly appointed manager should submit an application to register with Ofsted without delay. 31 May 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered provider should ensure that staff understand factors that affect children’s motivation to behave in a socially acceptable way. In particular, consequences should be restorative in nature, and records should be fully completed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.13)  The registered person is responsible for ensuring that each child’s day-to-day health and well-being needs are met. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2629097 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lumonics House, Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive CV21 1TQ

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Inspectors

Sara Stoker, Social Care Inspector Rebecca Fisher, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2629097 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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