Children's home run by Active Young People Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 1 Registered provider: Active Young People Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for children with a learning and/or physical disability. The home offers long-term residential placements and short-break services for up to nine children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2021. He holds suitable qualifications for this role.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 3

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outstanding

Love and laughter are heard throughout this home. The children have exceptional relationships with a staff team that is fully committed to them and that celebrates their every achievement. Children enjoy the care and affection that the staff show them in abundance. Families and professionals describe the staff team as the children’s ‘extended family’. The children seek out interaction from staff who are fully in tune with their wishes and responsive to their needs. As a result, the children have safe and secure attachments with staff and feel comfortable in the home.

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outstanding

The children make outstanding progress because of the specialist care provided by the managers and staff who work hand in hand with health and education services. For example, one child is now able to eat orally, which prevents the use of feeding tubes. Another child has recently been able to sit up with support. These are life- changing achievements for the children. As a result, children are happier, and their confidence has grown. Children’s families are incredibly positive about the home. One family member said, ‘The care [name of child] receives is second to none.’

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outstanding

The children’s families are held in high regard because staff understand how important they are to the children. Staff are responsive to families and always try to accommodate their needs. They also enable children to spend quality time with important family members because they know how much this will benefit the children. One family member who has been able to spend time with her nephew at her home described the staff who have made this happen as ‘amazing’.

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outstanding

Staff are acutely aware of how critical it is that the children receive consistency from all of their caregivers. As a result, the staff work closely and in partnership with family members. They communicate any concerns swiftly, and this reassures families that their children are in safe hands. Staff are there to provide practical help and advice as well as a listening and supportive ear. One parent said, ‘They have given me back the ability to be [name of child]’s parent and not just her carer.’

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outstanding

Communication between the home and professionals is described by one professional as ‘superb’. Staff are approachable, knowledgeable and always make themselves available. Their expertise is sometimes called on by school staff when the children require help. Staff will also seek advice and support from specialist services, and they will follow the advice that is given. As a result, the children receive care that meets their fluctuating needs.

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outstanding

Children’s introductions to the home are carefully planned and carried out at the child’s pace. The manager consults with the child’s family and the relevant professionals to gather all the necessary information in preparation. This helps children quickly settle and reassures parents. One family member said, ‘The staff have helped me to feel comfortable to leave my child.’ Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 4 The home is welcoming, warm and bright. The children’s artwork is on display, creating a colourful and child-friendly environment. Photos of the children adorn the walls of the corridors, bringing them to life. The children’s bedrooms are personalised, clean and tidy. However, the carpet in one of the lounges is showing signs of wear and tear. In addition, the garden has not been well maintained, and it does not meet the physical needs of the children. This means it has limited use for

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outstanding

Children participate in a wide range of activities. Staff are skilled in using the resources of the local and wider community to provide positive experiences. Staff think creatively to give children unique opportunities, such as trampolining and ice skating. Children go on holiday, some for the first time. This provides the children with special and memorable experiences.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff have an excellent understanding of the children’s risks and vulnerabilities. They are reflected in individualised risk assessments and care plans that are clear and thorough. This helps staff to manage risk and ensure that the children are helped and protected. The registered manager regularly reviews the children’s important documents. This means that the information in them is current and safeguards the children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager has good oversight of important incidents. He reacts swiftly to address any concerns. Learning takes place for the whole team in a supportive environment. This means that staff are able to speak openly and honestly and reflect on their practice without fear of judgement. As a result, practice and systems in the home improve.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The managers and staff are creative in helping reduce children’s self-harming behaviours. They introduce distraction techniques, position activities and protective equipment. Families and schools replicate this. As a result, the children are safer in a variety of environments.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All of the children have needs that impact on their ability to verbalise their views and wishes. Staff help the children to express their preferences and be involved in decision-making in a variety of ways. As a result, children choose activities and participate in their looked after reviews and letters to their families.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Feedback from professionals is incredibly positive and highlights how well the children are helped and protected. The managers and staff are described as being ‘instrumental’ in ensuring one child received the help he needed while in hospital and then when he was discharged from hospital. As a result, the child’s health and comfort improved significantly.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Specialist training is provided to enhance the skills of the staff team so that the children can be better helped and protected. There is also a comprehensive mandatory training programme in place. However, some staff have not completed or Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 5 refreshed their mandatory training. This could expose the children to harm.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Measures are in place to recruit new staff safely. However, the manager does not always obtain all necessary information. While the nature of these oversights does not place the children at risk of harm, safer recruitment guidelines have not been followed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has made significant improvements to the service. The manager is incredibly passionate about the children and ambitious for them. He wants the children to have the best care possible so that they can have the best life chances. He thinks innovatively about how to support the children when they reach adulthood and move on from the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is protective of the children and promotes their rights and best interests. He advocates on their behalf, taking action where necessary to safeguard them. He challenges professionals and services when children’s needs are not being met or when decisions are not in the children’s best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is supported by an excellent and equally passionate deputy. The staff team brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise to the children. There have been few changes to the staff team since the last inspection, which is a testament to its dedication. This provides familiarity for the children and continuity of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Newer staff are provided with a comprehensive induction programme and good support from their colleagues. One staff member said of her colleagues, ‘They took me under their wing.’ This helps create an environment of motivated and confident staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The managers are invested in the staff. The staff are supported with any issues at work and at home. They are encouraged and given opportunities to develop their practice. They are recognised and praised for the work they do and the difference they make in a variety of ways and forums. Their views are welcomed, considered and acted on. This helps staff feel valued and involves the whole team in raising the standard of care that the children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak very positively about the home. One staff member said, ‘I love my job so much. It is a pleasure to come to work and look after and support the children.’ Another said, ‘I really love and enjoy working here. I feel supported by the team of staff members and the management on a daily basis. We all work together as one big family.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The care of the children and any safeguarding issues are central to supervision, team meetings, handovers and daily recordings. However, supervision does not always take place regularly. This means staff do not have sufficient opportunity to reflect on their practice. In addition, team meeting minutes are not always read by Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 6 those who were not in attendance. This means that staff may not have up-to-date information about the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s monitoring systems ensure that he knows what is happening in the home. He is fully aware of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement and is committed to achieving them. Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 7

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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 person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development; and

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all staff attend mandatory and refresher training within timescales and that all staff receive regular supervision. 3 May 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is maintained to a good standard and meets the needs of the children, with specific reference to the flooring in the lounge and the outside garden. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that safer recruitment requirements are followed. In particular, ensure that a recent photo of the applicant is obtained and that documentary evidence is provided of any qualifications that the registered person considers relevant for the position. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that all staff read information that will assist them in their roles, with specific reference to team meeting minutes. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52,

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Recommendations

paragraph 10.4) Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 8

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This 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.’ Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Active Young People Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Suffolk Way, Sevenoaks TN13 1YL

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Inspectors

Emma Ridley, Social Care Inspector Rachel Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2624223 10 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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