Children's home run by A & S Children’s Services Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 1 Registered provider: A & S Children’s Services LTD

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The privately run home provides care for up to three children. The home’s statement of purpose states that the home provides care for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in February 2021 and the manager registered in January 2023.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

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: 2611288 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

Staff continue to develop meaningful and positive relationships with the child. The child affectionately referred to the female staff as being like ‘second mums.’

p.2

The care of children

Staff continue to encourage the child to engage in activities. Consequently, the child has developed skills in knitting and baking. Staff are supporting the child to create a sensory garden feature.

p.2

The care of children

Staff understand the barriers for the child in engaging in formal education. Staff consult effectively with educational professionals to provide study materials for the child. Staff help the child to complete educational work sheets as part of a structured plan each weekday. The child proudly told the inspector that they had completed more than the expected pieces of work one day.

p.2

The care of children

Staff continue to help the child with their physical and emotional health. Consequently, the child has progressed significantly in their self-care skills and is better able to express their feelings. However, despite the efforts of staff, the child still has not attended dental appointments. Managers and staff are working to address this area.

p.2

The care of children

Staff regularly gain the views of the child on matters relating to changes in the home or the child’s care. The child expressed delight about the changes being proposed by leaders and managers to make the living environment more homely. The child thought that the sensory room idea ‘was great’.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff understand the risks for the child and continue to talk to the child about how to keep themselves safe. Staff recently talked to the child about anti-bullying and the reasons for Sarah’s law.

p.2

The safety of children

Safety and behaviour management plans for the child are up to date. These plans provide staff with clear information to ensure that risks to the child are reduced. Managers provide effective oversight of the plans.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff understand what action they need to take if the child is missing from the home to encourage and secure the child’s prompt and safe return home. Staff maintain contact with the child when they do not return to the home at the agreed time. The child understands the reason staff need to check on their welfare when they are missing, and incidents of the child being missing have reduced. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 3 Incidents at the home have reduced. Staff help the child to manage their emotions and take responsibility for their actions. The child told the inspector that they were much better at ‘being good’ as they realised that ‘being rude to staff did not help me.’

p.2

The safety of children

When incidents do occur, managers and staff ensure that debriefs with children take place. Managers and staff review and reflect on incidents to understand what they could do better or differently to reduce the risk of further similar incidents and to support the child appropriately.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A new deputy team manager supports the registered manager, and this addition has strengthened the leadership team.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have a clear vision and ethos for the home in line with the statement of purpose. However, effective methods to show how outcomes for children are delivered across the range of children’s development needs are not evident

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have addressed many of the requirements and recommendations identified at the last inspection. Leaders and managers continue to embed the ethos of the home and develop effective methods to demonstrate the difference made to children’s lives.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The review of the quality-of-care report includes a clear action plan to enhance the experience of the children living in the home. This includes the development of partnership working with local health services and workshops to offer advice and educational literature to children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have updated the children’s guide and received positive feedback from the child about the revision.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff development plans are clearer and included in the revised workforce development plan. Leaders and managers have introduced an employee of the month award and a well-being planner for staff. Staff report feeling valued and supported in the work they do. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/04/2022 Full Inadequate 08/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/06/2021 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 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

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.5

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.5

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h)) 1 June 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 6

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the child attends the necessary primary and secondary health service appointments, for example dental appointments (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.11) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: A & S Children’s Services LTD

p.7

Inspector

Colin Bent, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 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.

p.7

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.8

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8