Children's home run by Total Care Matters Limited

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2532661 1 Registered provider: Total Care Matters Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns this home. It is registered to provide care for up to three children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since May 2021. The current manager is applying to register.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 27 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: 2532661 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

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection. This child moved in several weeks ago and it was their first experience of living at a children’s home. Several carefully planned visits had taken place to support the child before they moved in, designed to reduce his anxieties. He is starting to develop trusting relationships with staff and told the inspector that he was happy at the home.

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The care of children

The child’s needs are well understood. Specialist support has been accessed to ensure that his emotional and psychological needs can be met. Staff have upskilled themselves by means of additional training to meet the child’s health needs. Partnership working is a strength of the home and ensures the child’s needs are recognised and promoted.

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The care of children

One child has left the home since the last inspection. He had lived here for several years and had made significant progress. This ending was well planned and supported sensitively by staff who the child trusted. As a result, he is now making positive progress in his new home and keeps in touch. This is testament to the secure relationships between child and staff.

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The care of children

The shortfalls in safeguarding which had led to a child being financially abused have been addressed. An overhaul of the home’s financial systems and financial records has been undertaken by leaders. A new robust system is in place which should prevent this occurring again.

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The safety of children

Staff working in the home have all undertaken safeguarding training. They are clear about their individual responsibilities to keep children safe. Staff speak confidently about how to raise a concern and how to follow whistle-blowing procedures. Senior leaders have updated company policies to reflect such procedures. This is no longer a shortfall in practice.

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The safety of children

Children who go missing receive a well-coordinated response. Staff follow clear management plans and take urgent action to look for children. Staff understand the risks associated with children going missing and talk to children about these. Placing authorities are made aware of incidents when a child has been missing, which promotes effective working relationships.

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The safety of children

Children spend time using electronic devices. Staff offer support and supervision to children who need help to be safe online. They understand why children may have Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2532661 3 previously been unsafe online and work over a period of time to reduce this risk. A robust system is in place to monitor children’s online use of their smart TVs, laptops and mobile phones. This proactive response contributes to good safeguarding practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There has been no registered manager since May 2021. A new manager has been in post since the last inspection. She is qualified, experienced and has applied to the regulator to become the registered manager here. She has worked hard to drive improvements in the home and is well respected by the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Shortfalls in management monitoring systems identified at the last inspection have been taken seriously by leaders. Swift and effective action has been taken to address areas of concern. The new manager has developed a variety of ways to monitor the care of children. There has been a focus on developing a new staff team and upskilling them through training to ensure all children’s needs are met adequately moving forward. Leaders are confident the quality of care has improved due to the changes made in a relatively short space of time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Team morale and the culture of the home is much improved. Staff speak passionately about their work and the care of children. They benefit from a manager who leads by example and who is ambitious.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers understand the areas that require improvement. They have implemented an action plan to address these and make the required changes. The provider’s energy and motivation to provide good care for children is recognised and this assurance inspection has resulted in just one statutory requirement remaining.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/11/2021 Full Outstanding 06/02/2020 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2532661 4

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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 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 not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to there being no registered manager in position since May 2021. It is acknowledged an application to register is in progress. 31 May 2023 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2532661 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Total Care Matters Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 230 Bathley Street, The Meadows, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG2 2ER

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Inspector

Rachael Sprigg, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2532661 6 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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