Children's Home run by Paramount Children Care LTD in Leicester

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2627088 1 Registered provider: Paramount Children Care Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to four children who may be experiencing emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is no registered manager in place. An application is pending.

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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: 2627088 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

Four children were living at this home at the time of the inspection. Two have just been welcomed within the last eight weeks. Neither child has lived in a children’s home before. Staff appreciate that listening to the children and getting to know them will help reduce their anxieties during this new experience. One child told the inspector she was happy at the home and was looking forward to getting to know all the adults.

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The care of children

The children’s needs are well understood. Specialist support has been accessed to ensure that children’s emotional and psychological needs can be met. Staff have upskilled themselves by means of additional training and consultation with a therapist. Staff speak highly of this commissioned service. They value the opportunity to be reflective with someone independent. Partnership working is a strength of the home and helps ensure that the children’s needs are effectively promoted.

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The care of children

Two children have left the home since the last inspection. Both endings were planned and supported sensitively by staff who knew the children well. One child benefited from an extended support period, with staff keeping in touch and offering help where needed. As a result, the child is now settled into his new home and preparing for adulthood. This is testament to the secure relationships between the child and staff.

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The care of children

Some children are making progress in education. One child attends a mainstream comprehensive school, one successfully attends college, and one enjoys an alternative provision studying mechanics. One child is currently without a school place. To minimise this disruption, staff have ensured that the child benefits from a timetable of educational and recreational activities while they are not in an education setting. This ensures that children are provided with opportunities for learning and achieving.

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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 recognise children’s vulnerabilities and know what action to take to keep them safe. Risk assessments, including the location risk assessment, are regularly reviewed and updated to be reflective of children’s needs. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2627088 3 Children who go missing receive a well-co-ordinated response. Staff follow clear plans and take urgent action to look for children when they go missing.

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The safety of children

Staff understand the risks associated with going missing and talk to children about these. Staff make placing authorities and police are aware of incidents where a child is missing. This promotes effective working relationships. Records of such events have improved since the last inspection and now contain all pertinent information.

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The safety of children

There have been few safeguarding incidents since the last inspection. Physical intervention has been used as a last resort once to keep a child safe. Given its limited use, staff practice approved holds with each other during team meetings and handovers to ensure that their training is refreshed regularly. Staff have been trained to use a PACE approach to de-escalate behaviours, and this is working well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There has been no registered manager since August 2022. A new manager has been in post since December 2022. She is experienced and has applied to the regulator to become the registered manager. 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 improved. 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 staff through training opportunities to ensure that all children’s needs are met adequately moving forward. Leaders are confident that the quality of care has improved due to the changes made in the last six months.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are now receiving regular supervision. Records of such are of a good standard and evidence development and reflective practice discussions. Learning from training and the safeguarding of children are now standard agenda items. The new manager has developed an appraisal system which will help her understand staff performance and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Lessons have been learned from previous placements. The new manager is tenacious and wants children to achieve their potential. She is an effective communicator and will challenge a placing authority when they do not share essential information in a timely way. Children have a voice in their care and their plans do not drift.

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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 motivation to provide good care for children is recognised within this assurance inspection and has resulted in just one recommendation remaining. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2627088 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/01/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness 15/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2627088 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to understand each child’s education and training targets and their next steps to learning. This is in relation to staff’s understanding of children’s education and healthcare plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.11) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2627088 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Paramount Children Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 60 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FB

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Inspector

Rachael Sprigg, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2627088 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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Inspector

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