Children's home run by Athena Children’s Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2690141 1 Registered provider: Athena Children’s Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered in October 2022 and is privately owned. It provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 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

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: 2690141 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2690141 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved out and two children have moved into the home since it opened in October 2022. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home and making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Before moving into the home, the child had not attended school for some time. The child continued to engage in an online education package while the manager worked tirelessly and advocated strongly to secure a good-quality local school provision. The child is now enjoying attending school full time. This is a significant achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the child to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Activities such as going to a local gym benefit the child’s physical and emotional health and are well supported by staff, and the manager is arranging for an independent mentor to become involved. The child has been successful at ceasing unhealthy behaviours and is now able to express themselves more calmly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to learn valuable age-appropriate independence skills, such as keeping their bedroom clean and tidy and doing their own laundry. The child has learned how to bake and, on several occasions, has helped to cook the evening meal with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family members are positive about the relationships that the staff have established with the child. A family member said, ‘There has been lots of progress made. The staff are doing their very best and have helped so much. I have no complaints.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves into the home are well planned. Prior to a child moving in, the manager communicates with the child and responsible local authority to ensure that the home can meet the child’s needs. Shortly after the first child moved in, previously unknown information became known, which resulted in the child needing to move out for their own safety. The manager worked with the child’s family and the local authority throughout this process.

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

The home provides a calm environment in which children feel safe and have confidence in the staff who care for them. Staff ensure that children have good daily routines that provide structure in their lives.

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

There have been no incidents requiring physical intervention. Staff take the time to get to know the children well. Regular conversations with staff enable children to discuss their feelings and share their views. These conversations help staff to understand how to support children during times of distress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2690141 4 Children’s individual risk assessments are comprehensive, detailed and updated promptly. These good-quality risk assessments provide staff with the necessary strategies to minimise potential dangers and protect children.

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

There have been three incidents of children going missing from the home. Staff followed the missing-from-home procedures to ensure the child’s safe return. The manager is proactive in ensuring that children receive return home interviews, and reflective conversations are held to reinforce the importance of making safe decisions.

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

There have been no complaints or safeguarding incidents. All staff have a very thorough understanding of safeguarding procedures and the whistle-blowing policy. Effective safeguarding procedures are consistently implemented and help to keep children safe.

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

Staff hold regular fire drills at the home. This is to ensure that the children and new members of staff are aware of the correct procedures to follow in an emergency. However, there have been delays in one child and two members of staff being shown the actions to take in the event of a fire.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The dedicated manager is knowledgeable and child focused. She is working towards a relevant level 5 qualification. She recognises the strengths of the home and the areas that she would like to develop and has a clear development programme.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well led, flexible in their approach and enthusiastic. Staff enjoy working as part of a well-motivated and supportive team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The running of the home is well organised. Routine and structure are maintained and consistent care is provided. Targets are set and reports evidence the positive impact that the care has on the child’s development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Good relationships with professionals have been developed. The child’s social worker says that the manager is a strong advocate for the child and is complimentary about the quality of the regular reports and updates that they receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff receive regular and meaningful training. Staff fully understand and follow the therapeutic model used at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings and supervision sessions are regular and effective. Staff are encouraged to reflect on their practice, and the child’s needs and progress are discussed in detail. This helps staff to develop their practice further.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person provides reports that recommend actions for improvement. However, a visit did not take place during the first month that a child was living at the home. This was a missed opportunity for the child to speak with the independent person during their short stay at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2690141 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

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that new children and staff are made aware of the evacuation procedure. 30 June 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. In particular, ensure that a visit from the independent person occurs each month. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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: 2690141 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Athena Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 71 Spring Road, Kempston, Bedford MK42 8LT

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Inspector

Lynne Drage, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2690141 7 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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