Children's home run by Young Foundations Limited in Wirral

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 1 SC068410

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Registered provider: Young Foundations Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to six children with mental health and learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager is in post and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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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: SC068410 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 the home at the time of the inspection. Managers have improved their planning for, and management of, children moving into and on from the home. Two children have moved on since the last inspection. They moved into specialist services that can meet their complex needs and were supported by staff to do so. One child has moved into the home and had a planned transition. He is in the process of settling in at the home.

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The care of children

Staff and managers, in partnership with the clinical team, provide children with therapeutic care that meets their needs. As a result, children are now making significant progress considering their starting points. For example, children who were previously not accessing education are now doing so. Another child, who has complex mental health needs, is described as having made phenomenal progress with his mental well-being. The child’s progress is such that there are now plans to reduce the level of support he receives as he no longer requires this.

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The care of children

Good communication between staff and children’s teachers means that children’s academic progress is tracked well. When children experience any barriers to their learning, these are promptly shared and support is put in place. Good partnership working ensures that any gaps in children’s learning are quickly identified and addressed.

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The care of children

Children have opportunities to express their wishes through keywork sessions, conversations with staff and involvement in their care planning. Children are listened to by staff.

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The care of children

Staff and managers encourage children to try new activities and hobbies, such as volunteer work, cadets, trips to the zoo, baking and playing different games in the garden. One child has a pet rabbit and the home has chickens that provide the home with eggs. The children love helping staff to care for the chickens.

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The care of children

Staff support children to spend quality time with friends and family.

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The care of children

The home is beautifully decorated, and provides the children with a lovely, warm and welcoming home. The children’s bedrooms are personalised and are clean and tidy. The children have ample space to relax in their lounge area, another small lounge and the craft room.

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The safety of children

There have not been any incidents of restraint since the last inspection. Staff have positive relationships with children and are able to de-escalate situations quickly. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 3 Children also benefit from having consistent routines and boundaries and are able to regulate their emotions better.

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The safety of children

Risk assessments are now robust and are now kept up to date. These documents provide staff with clear guidance on how to keep children safe. Incidents of self- harm are managed well by staff. Staff recognise when children are struggling and increase their observations and support of children. When incidents do occur, staff take swift action to minimise risks and they seek medical attention when required. Children are given reassurance by staff when they go through crisis periods and are safe and cared for.

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The safety of children

Staff and managers follow procedures on the rare occasion when children go missing from home. They conduct local searches, and contact social workers, family and the police. When children return home, staff give them a warm welcome and explore with children whether they have suffered any harm and whether there is anything they can do to prevent children from going missing again.

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The safety of children

Managers have reviewed their safer recruitment processes and they are now compliant with regulation. This helps to ensure that safe adults care for the children.

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The safety of children

The location risk assessment has been reviewed and now includes input from partner agencies. As a result, all known local risks are included and the document provides information and guidance to staff and the children to help children keep safe when they are spending time in the local community.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have worked hard to address shortfalls raised at the last full inspection. New monitoring systems in place ensure that shortfalls are swiftly addressed and the quality of care given to children is improving. Consequently, children are making significant progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff’s mandatory training is up to date. They have also received specialist training that helps staff to meet the needs of children living at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff feel supported by the managers. They now receive regular supervision and use this forum, together with staff meetings, to reflect on their practice and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Professionals reported that communication with them is largely good and has improved since the new manager took over. Importantly, they are pleased with the progress their children have made as a result of the good care that they receive. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/02/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Young Foundations Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Alexander House, Highfield Park, Llangwyfan, Denbigh LL16 4LU

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Inspector

Rumbi Mangoma, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 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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