Children's home run by 24/7 Support UK Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2638148 1 Registered provider: 24/7 Support UK Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to three children with social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 21 December 2022.

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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

Date of last inspection: 18 October 2022

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Good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2638148 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2638148 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, there was one child living at the home. Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or on from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff have built meaningful relationships with the child. The child said that they have good relationships with all the staff. The child has regular opportunities to express their wishes and feelings to staff. They also have regular time with the manager. The staff have a positive praise book in which they write about the child’s achievements and how proud they are of them. The child has trusted adults with whom they can talk and have developed positive relationships. The child feels valued and loved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff have found creative ways to home educate the child. When the child moved to the home, they had not attended a school place for a long time. The child has had home tutoring for a period. Staff helped to prepare the child to recently start to attend their new education placement. The child’s attendance and engagement with education are good and the child is making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child takes part in a range of activities including day trips, visits to farms and swimming. The child is also a member of the local cadets and took part in a parade in the local city. The child was excited about a planned trip to a holiday camp this summer. The child thoroughly enjoys these fun and enriching experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to have time with their family. The staff support the parent and child when they spend time together. The child’s mother said, ‘I am always welcomed to the home by the manager and staff. It is like a home from home.’ The child spends time with people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is involved in organising and taking part in culture days. They learn about different religions and cultures around the world. The culture days have included dancing, visiting mosques and eating traditional foods from the chosen country. The manager and staff help the child to understand the importance of equality and diversity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff and manager help the child to get involved in charity work. This has included donating gifts to NHS staff and to children on hospital wards. The child has also baked and sold cakes to local neighbours to raise money for charity. The child wants to help others in the community and has developed compassion and empathy for people in need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has photos displayed of the child making memories, and their artwork and an endearing poem that they have written about the home is on display. The child benefits from a spacious, well-kept home with a separate games room and Inspection report for children’s home: 2638148 4 various communal rooms to relax in. The child’s bedroom is personalised. The child feels at home and thrives in the environment.

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

The child feels safe at the home. The manager is working towards a level 7 safeguarding qualification. The manager has ensured that the staff have appropriate safeguarding training. The staff understand and implement the safeguarding procedures. They confidently manage safeguarding incidents.

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

There have been no incidents of the child going missing from home because of the positive relationships that staff have with them. There is a detailed protocol to follow, should the child have an incident of missing from home. The staff would have the appropriate knowledge and information to manage incidents effectively.

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

The child has benefited from specialist intervention and has been referred to an external specialist. The external specialist is impressed with how proactive the manager has been to ensure that the child received the right support. The child has an individualised behaviour support plan that clearly guides the staff. Detailed plans and consistent approaches from the staff help the child to manage their behaviour safely. The child was involved in writing their behaviour support plan and benefits from support that they prefer. Some unwanted behaviours are reducing.

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

There have been some incidents of physical interventions. Staff only use physical intervention as a last resort. On one occasion, staff used a physical intervention hold that they were not trained to use. The hold was proportionate and necessary. Following the physical intervention, managers informed the local authority designated officer and carried out an internal investigation following their advice. Following the investigation, staff had physical intervention refresher training and reflective discussions with managers. The managers completed a ‘lessons learned’ exercise and took appropriate actions to reduce the likelihood of this happening again.

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

The managers deal with allegations promptly and take appropriate action to safeguard the child. However, on one occasion, although an allegation was concluded efficiently, the provider did not notify Ofsted promptly. This reduced Ofsted’s ability to monitor the home effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a relevant level 5 diploma and is currently working towards a level 8 doctorate in health and social care management. The manager is supported by a deputy manager. The manager and deputy manager are excellent role models to staff. They provide excellent care for the child. Staff are enthusiastic, motivated and caring. They provide child-centred care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638148 5 Staff benefit from regular and effective supervision. They receive good guidance from the manager. Staff said that the manager is approachable and they really enjoy working at the home. Staff morale is high and staff are motivated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A social worker and parent spoke highly of the home. They are impressed with the quality of therapeutic care and the effectiveness of the manager. A parent said, ‘The staff and manager are fantastic. I cannot fault the care.’ The manager and staff have good relationships with professionals and parents, ensuring joined-up working and good outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have a thorough induction and good training. They hold a relevant level 3 diploma or are working towards the qualification within the timescales. Staff understand the therapeutic model used at the home. The manager and staff benefit from regular consultations with the home’s therapeutic lead to discuss the child’s complex needs and implement strategies to help the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a superb advocate for the child. On one occasion, the manager advocated strongly to help the child’s teacher understand the child’s experiences and prevent them from being excluded from the school. The manager ensures that the child’s voice is heard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person’s reports are of good quality and include feedback from the child, parents and professionals. The independent person makes appropriate recommendations, which help the manager to improve the quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager generally keeps accurate and up-to-date records for the child. However, the child does not have their last personal education plan on file. On two records of physical intervention, the detail is not clear enough about the description of the holds that staff used. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638148 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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 29 May 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, they should ensure that all records are clear and that there are up-to-date education plans on file. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2638148 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: 24/7 Support UK Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 81 Broadway, Peterborough PE1 4DA

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2638148 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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