Children's home run by Thrive Childcare Services Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2590832 1 Registered provider: Thrive Childcare Services 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 provider operates this home. It provides care for up to three children with social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties due to past trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a qualified manager who was registered with Ofsted in June 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 these inspections, 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: 2590832 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

Three children live in the home. Since the last inspection, no children have moved out of the home and one child has moved in. The home is large and has been decorated in some areas since the last inspection.

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The care of children

Children have positive relationships with the staff, and staff know the children well. Children’s religions and dietary requirements are supported by staff. At the time of the inspection, the home was decorated for a current religious festival, with plans displayed showing how staff support times of prayer and celebration. Children also have a safe space to pray throughout the day.

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The care of children

Staff support children’s education well. Two children have had planned, positive school moves, which have greatly supported their educational achievements. One child who has struggled in their education provision has been supported to maintain their studies despite these difficulties.

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The care of children

The children and staff team have access to a therapist. Individual sessions are offered to children to support their identities and promote their well-being. When children do not access these sessions, the therapist works closely with the staff to inform their approach when supporting children.

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The safety of children

Since the last inspection, there has been a significant reduction in missing episodes. Staff follow children’s individual missing protocols and support their safe return when they have gone missing. The registered manager now ensures that return- home interviews are completed after all missing episodes.

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The safety of children

The registered manager acted appropriately when a child made an allegation of abuse against a school member of staff. Leaders ensured that safeguarding procedures were followed, and an internal investigation in the school was completed because of their professional challenge.

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The safety of children

Assessment of risk is appropriately reviewed when considering the matching of a child moving in to the home. Staff follow age-appropriate plans that are in place to encourage children to make safe decisions. Because of these measures, the one child who has moved in to the home since the last inspection is flourishing.

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The safety of children

At the last inspection, the registered manager had not ensured that all risk assessments were updated for staff to follow. They now have a system in place to Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2590832 3 ensure that all children’s risk assessments are updated, printed, and reviewed by staff promptly. Consequently, when the inspector spoke to staff, they were fully aware of children’s risk and plans around these potential behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has gained confidence since the last inspection. She has a good understanding of the children’s needs and each staff member’s skill set. The registered manager acknowledges how she has grown in her leadership and management approach since the last inspection. This was evidenced in the registered manager’s communications with social workers and her ability to challenge them when dissatisfied with their responses.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager is now also supported by a senior leadership team in the home and a full complement of staff. This means that the registered manager is no longer completing shifts. This has enabled her to focus on managerial tasks and has improved her oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has recruited new staff for the home. All of the staff have been safely recruited.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has worked hard to meet the requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection. The new recommendation relates to one member of staff not completing their level 4 qualification in the required timescale.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/11/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2590832 4

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

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’.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when they identify gaps in qualifications, they act to ensure that relevant qualifications are completed in a timely manner at an appropriate level. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 68, paragraph 1.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2590832 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Thrive Childcare Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 72 Oakdale Drive, Heald Green, Cheadle SK8 3SW

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Inspector

Mark Dickinson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2590832 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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