Children's home run by Homes2Inspire Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2671651 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

This home is registered to care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been in operation since February 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since the home was registered.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 5 September 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: 2671651 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 home was registered in 2022. Since that time, one child moved in and subsequently left ten months later. One child moved into the home a week before the inspection and was present during the inspection, having been excluded from school.

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The care of children

Staff already have a good relationship with the child. There is a relaxed atmosphere in the home and positive banter between staff and the child. It gave the impression they had known each other for years, not just a week.

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The care of children

Staff are challenging the school for excluding the child. The organisation’s education lead and the registered manager are in discussions with the school to meet the child’s needs. In the meantime, staff are supporting the child with work sent in by the school.

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The care of children

The child has settled quickly and is enjoying the routines and daily life in the home. The child is keen to improve their health and is following a healthy eating plan. The child is planning meals, by shopping for, preparing and cooking a variety of healthy, nutritious meals.

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The care of children

The child who left the home earlier this year has had numerous placements in the past 10 years. Their time in this home was the longest. Staff built strong relationships with the child, helping them reduce their self-harm, enjoy new experiences including a holiday to Wales, and make real progress.

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The care of children

The child has moved into semi-independence and the staff continue to offer support. Although staff are sad to see them move on, it was the child’s wish to leave and staff respected this.

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The care of children

The home is beautifully decorated, and has a warm and homely feel, having been refurbished and repaired after sustaining some substantial damage. A suggestions box and complaints box on the wall in the dining room spoil this sense of homeliness. There is also a small hand-washing sink in the same room, but the manager has plans to convert this into a plant feature. The child said they know how to make a complaint and would speak to staff about anything, which means that staff can remove the boxes. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2671651 3

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The safety of children

Staff know how to keep children safe. They understand the needs of the child and any risks the child may face. Staff followed a strategic safety response plan for the child who has now left. Staff shared this plan amongst all professionals and agencies including hospitals, police, street youth workers, school, and local authorities. This ensured a coordinated and consistent response to any incident involving the child.

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The safety of children

Staff involve children in their own safety planning, helping them to understand, manage and reduce risk for themselves.

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The safety of children

Staff have previously managed particularly challenging incidents, showing resilience and a commitment to helping the child, who has now left, through difficult situations.

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The safety of children

This commitment from staff, what one staff member called ‘stickability no matter what’, helped reduce this child’s self-harming and reduced the number of incidents of damage in the home for a prolonged period.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager is currently managing another home in addition to this one. This is to cover parental leave. Despite this commitment, her oversight and monitoring of the home is good. A very experienced deputy supports her.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has responded to all requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. She also acts on shortfalls identified by the independent person and those identified through internal auditing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are well trained. They have received training in areas specific to children’s needs, including childhood trauma and mental health and well-being. Mental health workers have provided additional support in the past.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager took swift action to increase the number of staff in response to previous escalating incidents. This included appointing an experienced deputy and a senior member of staff to help support an inexperienced staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The staff have been through a tough time, but can recognise the learning and confidence they have gained. The team feels empowered, confident and supported. The manager described the staff team as ‘a strong family’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2671651 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2671651 5

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Recommendations

 The suggestion box and complaints box in the dining room do not represent the domestic feel of the rest of the home. The home should maintain a domestic rather than institutional impression. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2671651 6

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Matthew Earnshaw

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Inspector

Judith Longden, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2671651 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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