Children's Home run by iMap Centre Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for children’s home: SC481295 1 SC481295 Registered provider: iMapcentre Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private provider that specialises in delivering services for children with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and complex needs. It is registered to provide care for up to five children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2021.

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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

Date of last inspection: 8 December 2021

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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: SC481295 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/12/2021 Full Good 08/04/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/06/2018 Full Good 08/06/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC481295 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

For approximately six months, the home had one child in placement. This led to several staff being reassigned across the organisation. The child who lived in the home is due to move to an adult provision and is currently adjusting to having two new housemates.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The two children who moved in did so seamlessly through an improved process. The revised processes ensure that all aspects of their lives are considered. Staff work closely with other professionals to address any identified gaps or needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are all making positive progress and are settling into group living. Parents and professionals provided positive feedback. They praised the way staff are able to understand and meet the children’s needs and highlighted with enthusiasm the development they have seen in their children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children attend the organisation’s school. They achieve high levels of attendance. Staff ensure that they are supported to access extra-curricular activities. These assist with improving children’s willingness and ability to socialise with others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are all generally healthy, but some take medication for ongoing conditions. They receive support from medical practitioners and undergo the appropriate medical reviews and check-ups.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children to develop independence skills. They achieve this through things such as travel training. In addition, the children learn lifelong skills through activities such as shopping, buying rail tickets and applying for passports.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are now incorporated into their monthly reports. They also provide regular feedback on their likes and dislikes. The manager uses these views to shape the service.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are assisting the child who is due to move out, ensuring that they are emotionally prepared for the transition. Preparations are also being made to ensure that they have the physical items required.

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

The children are safe, protected and well cared for. The staff regularly assess and review any potential risks the children may face. This ensures that the children’s assessments remain relevant.

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

The children are increasingly aware of the expected levels of behaviour. Staff communicate these using various methods, including short, illustrated stories Inspection report for children’s home: SC481295 4 describing social situations and what usually happens in them. The expectations and boundaries that staff set assist with keeping children and staff safe.

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

The children do not go missing from care and have not been involved in significant incidents. There have not been any incidents when children have needed to be physically held, and no incidents that require notification have occurred. The few incidents that have occurred were well managed, which prevented any escalation.

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

Children rarely go out unsupervised. This means they are at less risk of harm in the community. They are also unlikely to be exposed to exploitation or radicalisation. Staff still have discussions with them about how to remain safe in the community and online. Staff tailor these discussions and activities to the children’s different levels of understanding. Despite these situations being unlikely to occur, staff are well versed in how to address safeguarding concerns.

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

Staff training is comprehensive. The range of courses available to staff ensures that they cover the relevant aspects of childcare. The manager also ensures that staff complete any training that is required due to the specific needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and deputy manager have created and revised their policies and processes. These revisions have led to impressive improvements in supporting children with their development and achievements. As a result, transitions into the home have been smooth and more positive. This is because all professionals have their tasks clearly defined.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A social worker described the registered manager as ‘amazing’ and praised the way that she advocates for the children. The social worker stated that the manager and the team have created a loving environment for children and praised the way the manager challenges professionals. They described it as being carried out in a constructive way that aids dialogue and allows the children to receive the best care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children are supported to see or be visited by their family appropriately. Feedback from professionals and families is positive. A parent said that the staff team constantly ‘reassures her’. She knows her child is doing well and has come on in leaps and bounds. She gave an example of how the child is now more able to calm themselves rather than ‘exploding’ like they used to. This has enabled her to feel happier and spend more family time with the child.. Another parent said, ‘I can honestly say [name of home] saved us as a family and was the best thing to happen to [name of child].’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The recruitment and probationary processes are thorough. They ensure that staff are monitored and supported while developing in their roles. The team is achieving the agreed aims and objectives of the home. The staff use feedback from children, Inspection report for children’s home: SC481295 5 families and professionals to shape the service. The manager ensures that children and staff respect differences and celebrate diversity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Together, the managers have worked hard to reshape the service. This includes adapting and streamlining many processes. This is to ensure that they are easily navigated by staff. Many of the processes are now child-centred and incorporate children’s views into their records. These include monthly reports and quality-of-life reports. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481295 6

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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: SC481295 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Imap School Barrowmore Estate, Barnhouse Lane, Great Barrow, Chester CH3 7JA

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Inspector

Sonia Hay, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC481295 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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