Children's Home run by Active Care Organisation Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 1 Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a registered manager who is suitably qualified and experienced.

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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 requires improvement to be good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be 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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff teams show a genuine commitment towards supporting children. The children have positive relationships with staff. This helps children to settle in following their move to the home and supports them to make progress. This has been critical in enabling children to build secure and meaningful relationships with a team of staff children know, trust and rely on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy good health. Children’s health needs are well considered and met by staff. Staff work closely with a variety of health services. They support children to attend healthcare appointments and to be active. This helps to maintain children’s physical well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage and support children to have fun and try new experiences. Children are beginning to access a range of activities in the local community and beyond. For example, one child recently went to visit the National Space Centre Museum. Engaging in new experiences helps to develop children’s confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Well-established routines implemented by staff mean that children are prepared for their school day. Children have very positive educational experiences because their tutor works creatively with the staff team in the home. Children make good educational progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of individual work with children is not purposeful or consistent. Staff do not always capture or respond effectively to children’s views, feelings and wishes. This limits opportunities for children to fully participate and have their voices heard and responded to in a manner that makes them feel valued.

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improvement to be good

Staff are diligent. This ensures that potential risks to children are minimal and well understood by the staff. The staff understand the underlying causes of more difficult behaviours the children can present. Risk assessments and plans are in place. However, they are not consistently updated when children’s circumstances change. On some occasions, following incidents, staff have not taken appropriate immediate actions to minimise future risk. The manager is taking steps to address this.

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improvement to be good

Staff have used physical interventions. This is to prevent children placing themselves and others at risk of serious harm. Records show that interventions were necessary, proportionate and effective. However, records are not always detailed enough, and children’s views are not consistently captured. This limits the impact of reflection or learning outcomes for staff in this area of practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 4 Staff complete the required safeguarding training. The training topics are centred around the children’s needs. Safeguarding is discussed in each staff member’s one- to-one meeting with their manager. Safeguarding matters are discussed in team meetings. This supports staff to develop their knowledge and understand their role.

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improvement to be good

The home uses a therapeutic model of care. Training for staff in this approach is being organised. The company’s clinical specialist will be providing support to develop the staff team. This will be specific to the needs of the children living at the home. This will support staff to understand the children better and provide them with more consistent care.

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good

A dedicated manager leads the home. She speaks with passion and is committed to improving children’s lives. She has a clear vision for the home and is fully aware of, and understands, the strengths and areas for development.

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good

There are some management systems in place. However, managers do not have oversight of all records, for example gaps in daily reports, direct key-work sessions and debriefs. Monitoring does not yet provide sufficient oversight or demonstrate a full understanding of the impact and effectiveness of care. Consequently, continuous improvement is not evidenced.

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good

The home is not yet being run in accordance with its statement of purpose. The manager is aware of this and is taking steps to address this shortfall.

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good

The staff have faced difficult situations. They have had to manage some behaviours that challenge. Staff experience a high level of support from the management team. They also receive daily support and guidance from each other. As a result, staff are committed and feel they are supported in influencing the care provided to children.

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good

External scrutiny from the regulation 44 visitor supports the manager in the monthly review of the home. The current visitor is insightful in identifying the strengths and areas for improvements in the home. This level of scrutiny is openly welcomed by the manager. Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 5

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that all records and review systems are reviewed, monitored and actioned by the manager as appropriate. 22 May 2023

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

that the day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This is specially in relation to ensuring that incidents of harm are followed through and records are completed as and 22 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 6 when required, including reflections and learning outcomes being evident.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff support children to enjoy life and have fun. This relates to the home’s staff having regular discussions with children to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the children with children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, paragraph)

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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: 2683082 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Windsor House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3AT

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Inspector

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 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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