Children's Home run by ROC Northwest Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC442402 1 SC442402 Registered provider: ROC Northwest Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is one of several homes operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may have emotional and social difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

A suitably qualified and experienced registered manager has been in post since May 2020.

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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 outstanding

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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: SC442402 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/03/2022 Full Good 14/01/2020 Full Good 07/11/2018 Full Outstanding 06/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC442402 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make considerable progress in relation to their individual starting points. They benefit from well-planned, highly personalised care that meets their needs effectively. A social worker said, ‘All staff members show a genuine love and care towards the young people and ensure the care they provide is tailored to each individual.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy warm and secure relationships with staff and enjoy positive relationships with each other. Staff foster a culture of positivity that encompasses respect and genuine warmth for the children. The children show respect towards the staff and each other. A child said, ‘Staff are like a family to me, and me and the other child get on easily.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to keep in touch with their friends and families. As a result, they sustain their familiar relationships with the people that are most important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are plans to redecorate the lounge area and ceiling in the office. The children’s games room would also benefit from redecoration and improved furnishings to make it more welcoming and cosier. Children’s bedrooms were observed to be decorated and furnished in keeping with the children’s wishes. The bedrooms were found to be clean and well furnished but were slightly untidy. Staff say that they do encourage children to clean their bedrooms on a regular basis.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s interests and hobbies are actively encouraged. One child has learnt to play the guitar under the guidance of his key worker and has since developed a real passion and talent for music. One child said, ‘I have been go karting and swimming. I have literally done everything that you can think of.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are effective arrangements made to meet the health needs of children. Medical consent is obtained. Consequently, staff are familiar with the health decisions and responsibilities that are delegated to them. The children are registered with the health services they need to stay healthy. Staff support them to attend their routine health and medical appointments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education on a regular basis. Staff work closely with the providers of children’s education to promote their learning and educational achievement. The manager is a strong advocate for children’s education. One teacher said, ‘The focus and desire to get the right provision for [name of the child] was impressive. The work that carers completed to prepare them for school life was outstanding.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to navigate their way through life under adult supervision and direction. Staff address any issues experienced by children by helping them work through their problems, insecurities and anxieties. The children find it easy to talk to Inspection report for children’s home: SC442402 4 staff and ask for their advice when they need it. One child said, ‘Staff are boss and they’re dead supportive. I can open up to the staff and talk to them about anything.’

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

Children are kept safe and have a strong sense of personal safety. The use of risk management plans and safe working practices promote the safety and well-being of the children. Staff have a good understanding of the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children and take appropriate action to address them. The children feel protected from harm.

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

Staff maintain highly effective partnerships with schools and social workers to share concerns quickly and to ensure that children benefit from the best possible help and all-round support.

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

Staff adopt a non-punitive approach. They help children to manage their feelings and behaviours safely. As a result, children learn to resolve conflicts positively. The use of consequences are rare, and positive behaviour is consistently praised and reinforced.

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

Staff are trained in behaviour management, and this includes de-escalation strategies to manage children’s behaviour safely and effectively. There have been no restraints since the last inspection. Children respond positively to the rules and boundaries that staff apply consistently to promote a safe environment for children.

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

There are no issues with risk taking behaviour, such as offending, anti-social behaviour or substance misuse. Additionally, there have been no issues with children going missing from the home since the last inspection.

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

Safer recruitment practices are followed and adhered to. This ensures that the staff employed are recruited and vetted carefully to protect children from unsafe or unsuitable people. The home provides children with a physically safe, homely and comfortable living environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children benefit from a home that is managed efficiently and effectively. The registered manager has high aspirations for children and works proactively with staff and other professional agencies to secure the best possible outcomes for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager ensures that staff deliver a high-quality service for children that supports change and improvement in their lives. The manager is ambitious and enthusiastic about the home’s continuing improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager leads staff by example and ensures that they meet the aims and objectives set out in the home’s statement of purpose. He has an inclusive management style that ensures that all staff feel valued and are treated Inspection report for children’s home: SC442402 5 professionally. The manager fosters a positive team spirit that promotes good staff morale. One member of staff said, ‘Communication within the team is excellent. We all have great relationships with the kids and each other.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is respected by staff and other professionals for his unwavering commitment to the children. He is a courageous leader who advocates on children’s behalf and ensures that their needs are met effectively. The manager is not afraid to challenge professional decision-making when he believes that decisions are not in the best interests of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff training and developmental needs are identified and met effectively. Staff benefit from high-quality training and regular, practice-related supervision to reflect on their practice and meet the specific needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has established strong working partnerships with all external professionals to ensure that children benefit from the best possible help and wraparound support. Together, they make child-centred decisions and aspire to make a positive difference to the lives of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has met the requirement and recommendations from the last inspection. He demonstrates strong management oversight of the progress children make and has a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. The manager makes effective use of the home’s internal and external monitoring activities to secure continuing improvement. Inspection report for children’s home: SC442402 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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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the games room is redecorated and refurnished. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that staff support children to keep their bedroom tidy. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.20)

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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: SC442402 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: ROC Northwest Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5th Floor, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Anthony Kyem, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC442402 8 inspects 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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