Children's home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report for children's home: SC405977 1 SC405977 Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited Full inspection 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 and is registered to provide care for up to two children who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since August 2018 and holds a level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC405977 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/07/2021 Full Outstanding 14/05/2019 Full Good 11/09/2018 Full Good 25/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC405977 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the previous inspection, no children have left the home and no children have moved in. At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since living at the home, children’s health has improved. One child was previously significantly overweight. Over time, the staff have worked with the child to encourage them to eat more healthily and to engage in more physical activity, including going to the gym and taking part in charity fun runs. As a result, this child has lost weight and is now healthier. Additionally, this has led to a reduction of their asthma medication by 50%. As a result, staff help children to lead healthier lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to have positive experiences and to try new things. They encourage the children to take part in charity events, which has led to the children raising £350. One child wanted to attend a music festival. Staff arranged a special treasure hunt and at the end the child discovered staff had bought them festival tickets. Another child has joined army cadets and, recently, a local rugby team. Children have memorable experiences and develop in confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take time to understand the individual needs of the children. For one child, this has identified trends in their behaviours and helped them to develop strategies to become safer. One child said, ‘I now recognise healthy and unhealthy relationships. I feel like I have progressed and I have gained my identity.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s experience of education is mixed. One child has made good progress and achieved an A grade in several of their GCSEs. They are now working towards a promising career in hair and beauty. However, another child has recently struggled with their behaviour, resulting in a move to an alternative education provision. The change of school had led to them forming new networks and peer relationships that made them extremely vulnerable to child criminal exploitation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home’s atmosphere is calming, warm and welcoming. Children are confident and happy and the environment replicates a family home. One external professional said, ‘The home is comfy and warm.’ As a result, children are developing in an environment where they can make positive memories.

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

Leaders and managers work well with children’s wider networks to ensure that strategies are put in place to try and improve children’s safety. The manager has a close link with the local police. He has liaised with police to obtain information to inform the children’s safety plans when they are out in the community.

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

When allegations are made, the registered manager responds promptly and takes appropriate action. When children have retracted allegations, the manager has still Inspection report for children's home: SC405977 4 proceeded with investigations to be assured there are no concerns. This has helped staff to reflect and improve on their practice.

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

When self-harm incidents occur, staff take appropriate action and respond therapeutically, enabling children to reflect. Staff use the secure base model effectively to help children feel safe and to trust in the staff around them.

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

Staff provide children with learning on how to keep themselves safe. They have carried out work with children on e-safety, healthy relationships and child exploitation. Children feel more equipped to keep themselves safe.

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

Staff implement children’s missing-from-care plans well. When children go missing, staff try and locate them. The manager has a good oversight of incidents of children going missing and uses this information to implement strategies to minimise missing incidents.

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

However, staff and leaders do not always assess risks to children effectively. On one occasion, poor communication between staff and an inability to risk assess a situation led to poor supervision levels for a child. This meant that a child at risk of child exploitation went missing from the home. Also, a child was able to gain access to the home’s office and stole money on two occasions. On a third occasions, the child stole money from one of his peers. Staff and the registered manager have not responded effectively to reduce the risk of this happening again. These shortfalls have the potential to compromise children’s safety and leaves them vulnerable.

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

The registered manager has failed to notify Ofsted of all significant incidents involving children. For example, on one occasion, a child was reported missing from the home and significant concerns were identified around potential child exploitation. On the child’s return, during a further incident, the child attempted to set fire to their bedroom. However, the registered manager failed to notify Ofsted of these incidents. Consequently, Ofsted is unable to consistently carry out its monitoring function to ensure that appropriate action is taken by the provider to safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is child-focused and aspirational for children’s outcomes. One staff member said, ‘Our home’s manager has been particularly supportive, ensuring that he goes above and beyond to support the team in providing the best possible care for young people.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions are reflective and active learning experiences for staff and are held consistently. The registered manager uses supervision sessions effectively to address practice issues. As a result, staff are more competent in their roles, enabling them to work more effectively with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager’s auditing systems are detailed and systematic. The manager has systems in place to ensure that children’s independent development Inspection report for children's home: SC405977 5 needs are being met. Key-work sessions are reviewed by the manager on a monthly basis to ensure that the team is working on the important topics with children. Having these effective systems in place has enabled strong oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good focus on his own development. He has recently attended external leadership and manager training to learn about his own leadership style. This has supported him in being more effective when working as a leader in the home and, as a result, has enhanced his oversight of practice in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Overall, the registered manager ensures that staff training is tailored to the needs of the children. For example, the team has engaged in training around bereavement, child sexual abuse and drugs and alcohol. However, there are some gaps in staff training, linked to internet safety and child exploitation. As a result, some staff are not always provided with up-to-date and specific knowledge to keep vulnerable children safe. Inspection report for children's home: SC405977 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 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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff assess children’s risks effectively and take action to keep children safe in relation to going missing from the home, fire safety and child exploitation. 11 May 2023

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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

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; and

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders must ensure that all significant incidents involving children at risk of exploitation and incidents that require police involvement are notified to Ofsted. 11 May 2023 Inspection report for children's home: SC405977 7

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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: SC405977 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fitzroy Academy, Cruckton, Shrewsbury SY5 8PR

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Inspectors

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Dean Wilton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC405977 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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