Children's home run by Prestige Adolescent Care and Education Limited in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children’s home: SC434520 1 SC434520 Registered provider: Prestige Adolescent Care and Education Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2011 and holds a relevant qualification at level 5.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC434520 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/03/2022 Full Good 20/01/2020 Full Outstanding 04/03/2019 Full Outstanding 31/08/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC434520 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. One child has recently moved out. Children currently being cared for are settled and feel well supported. Children say that they love living in the home and get on well with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of children’s complex needs. They work closely with the home’s therapist to develop positive ways to support children. Also, the therapist provides direct support to children each week. Sessions are always available to children whether they choose to participate or not. Staff also ensure that children have access to specialist help, such as bereavement counselling, when needed. This approach means that children are supported to improve their emotional health over time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s physical health needs are met. Children are registered with local health services and attend appointments when needed. On rare occasions, when children struggle to attend appointments, staff are proactive in working with health professionals and supporting children to ease any worries they have.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend school full time. Staff help children to understand the importance of education and have high aspirations for them. Staff work closely with school staff and advocate for children where necessary. For example, one child receives a bespoke package to ensure that his individual needs are met and progress is sustained.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is comfortable, well decorated and maintained for children. Photos of children’s memories are displayed throughout the home. Children have their own bedrooms and access to a games/cinema room. Children personalise their bedrooms with decorative features and personal items, such as family photos. One child told the inspector, ‘I love my bedroom. I love that I can have photos of my mum.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children’s hobbies, interests and talents. Staff arrange for children to attend local clubs, such as scouts, and ensure that they have several activities available to them. One child, who recently moved into the home, now goes swimming. Another child attends weekly football training. This approach provides children with the opportunity to make positive friendships and develop their social skills.

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

Children have well-detailed risk management and crisis plans, which are reviewed each month. They provide very clear guidance and strategies for staff to follow to keep children safe. The home’s therapist contributes to the review of risk and provides advice where necessary. As a result, staff know what to do to keep children safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC434520 4 Staff follow procedures to ensure that important information is recorded and shared with relevant professionals when incidents occur. This means that effective decisions are made regarding the safety arrangements for children.

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

Children do not go missing from the home. Staff understand the protocols and have received training to ensure that they know how to respond if a child does go missing from home. Protocols are available to staff, and they are spoken about in team meetings. In addition, the manager attends monthly provider meetings with local police.

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

Restraint has been used on 65 occasions since the previous inspection. Restraint is not always proportionate to the potential risk and staff do not always attempt the least restrictive intervention detailed in children’s plans. For example, on three occasions one child was restrained on the floor by three members of staff. Also, there have been several incidents where children have been restrained in their bedrooms; however, this is not the most common form of restraint or practice used. On other occasions, restraints have been effective in supporting children and helping to manage their heightened emotions.

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

Allegations are rarely made by children. When allegations have been made, leaders and managers have not always followed the appropriate process in line with their policy. For example, on one occasion, the person the allegation was made about referred themselves to safeguarding agencies. These actions do not ensure impartiality and potentially compromise the outcome for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably experienced, passionate and has high aspirations for children. He is supported by a well-qualified and experienced team of staff who share his passion and aspirations for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has positive relationships with children. He is passionate to ensure that children make progress and are well supported. He tenaciously advocates for children, which is evident for one child around their education. The manager has escalated a high number of complaints regarding concerns that professionals are not making decisions in the best interests of the child and putting his educational progress at risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates effective partnership working. Feedback gathered from professionals during the inspection is very positive. One professional said that the team’s approach has contributed to significant progress in reducing one child’s aggressive behaviour. A headteacher described another child’s progress as ‘phenomenal’. This demonstrates the commitment the manager and staff team display towards children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been significant changes to the staff team since the last inspection. Six members of staff have left the company and three staff have joined. Despite this, children have remained settled and well cared for. The home’s core staff team has remained in place. Furthermore, the use of regular sessional workers and staff from Inspection report for children’s home: SC434520 5 other homes who children are more familiar with have been prioritised over the use of temporary staff who are unknown to children. This has helped to sustain some consistency and stability for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a wide range of training. Training is delivered to ensure that the needs of the children who are living in the home are understood and well managed. The registered manager secures training from various sources, including online and face to face. This tailored approach ensures that staff have the skills to care for children effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about working in the home and feel well supported by the manager. Staff receive regular supervision and annual appraisals. Staff are encouraged to develop and progress in their roles and achieve the relevant qualifications. The manager ensures that staff are provided with the appropriate support to perform tasks and encourages their development. Inspection report for children’s home: SC434520 6

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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

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

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Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

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Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or

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Requirement Due date

a child who is accommodated in a secure children’s home from absconding from the home.

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)) 3 May 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff report any allegation of abuse immediately to a senior manager in the home. Any allegation of harm or abuse must be addressed in line with the home’s child protection policy. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.17)

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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: SC434520 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Prestige Adolescent Care and Education Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 90 King Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 1JB

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Inspector

Carl Wilton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC434520 8 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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