Children's home run by Lasting Threads Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2677411 1 Registered provider: Lasting Threads Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care for up to three children who experience emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning difficulties. Three children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is overseen by a qualified manager who has been registered with Ofsted since the home opened in November 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: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2677411 2

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2677411 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are making progress from their individual starting points. Children receive well-planned and individualised care from a nurturing and committed staff team. It was clear from observations that staff know the children well and carefully manage children’s individual daily routines.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff speak to children about their care needs. As a result, children are listened to, and this helps staff provide children with individualised daily care. One child said, ‘It’s like living in a normal home but better. They care and talk to me about things.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s individual educational needs. Staff are ambitious for children and advocate on their behalf to ensure that they have an education placement. One child had been out of education for a significant period. The manager worked with education professionals to address this and the child is now attending school on a regular basis, where she is making progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children’s individual health needs. Children are supported to attend the necessary health appointments. One child has been supported to significantly improve their health. A professional said, ‘They have been amazing, they invited me in straight away to provide extensive training to staff, to support [name of child]’s health needs. It is the first time I haven’t worried about [name of child]. I am more than happy with the care they are being provided with. Their health has improved as a result.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities in line with their interests. This helps children to build memories and a sense of belonging. One child said, ‘The activities are the best I’ve ever done.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is warm and welcoming. Children’s bedrooms are decorated and personalised to reflect their personalities. However, locks on some doors need to be removed, to maintain a homely feeling.

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

Children live in a home where they feel safe. Children told the inspector that they feel safe in the home and that they have staff to talk to about any worries or concerns that they may have. Observations throughout the inspection demonstrate that children are comfortable with staff.

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

Children’s safety and well-being are at the centre of staff practice. Staff spoken to demonstrate an understanding of children’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. Staff have regular contact with children’s social workers and relevant professionals. This contributes to an all-round and effective safeguarding approach. Inspection report for children’s home: 2677411 4 Children have detailed and specific behaviour management plans and risk assessments. These plans provide staff with clear strategies to follow in practice.

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

Staff use effective de-escalation techniques to manage incidents. This means that physical intervention is rare and is used only as a last resort. The manager has evaluated incidents and implemented further training in response to an incident involving poor practice. Children and staff are spoken to following incidents. However, not all records have been signed.

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

The manager and staff support children to understand and manage their behaviour, risks and vulnerability. This is done in a way that supports children to make age- appropriate choices. Consequently, children’s risks have reduced. One social worker said, ‘The manager has gone above and beyond to make sure [name of child] was safe online. They have been absolutely brilliant, recognising that [name of child] needs to have some access to the internet but in a safe way. They are in a much better place as a result.’

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

Children are provided with clear and consistent boundaries. Positive behaviour is promoted and children receive a weekly certificate and reward for their achievements. As a result, staff rarely need to use consequences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is run effectively by an enthusiastic, qualified and experienced registered manager who knows the children well. The registered manager has created a homely and nurturing home environment. One child said, ‘This is my second family. They don’t let me down.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff spoken to say that the manager is supportive and they describe good morale within the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training that is relevant to children’s individual needs. Urgent action was taken to ensure that staff had the appropriate skills to meet the health needs of a child who moved into the home on an emergency basis.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a robust induction programme, including regular reflective supervision. Regular team meetings also support the development of the team. However, the registered manager needs to ensure that children’s records consistently include all accurate information and are signed by staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works proactively with professionals to improve the outcomes for children. Communication is a key strength. Families, health professionals and local authorities are kept updated about the progress children are making. The manager is a strong advocate for children and ensures that children’s necessary plans are in place. Inspection report for children’s home: 2677411 5 Children are involved in the recruitment process. This helps children to feel valued and listened to. Inspection report for children’s home: 2677411 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 registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to making sure that all case records are signed and that documentation is in place for each child. 19 July 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that, just as in a family home, children are able to access all shared areas of their home unless there are specific reasons why this would not meet a child’s needs. Limits on privacy and access may only be put in place to safeguard each child in the home. This relates to locks on bathroom doors and the playroom being removed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10)

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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: 2677411 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lasting Threads Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lasting Threads Care Limited, 49a Hemdean Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 7SS

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Inspector

Kayleigh Treanor, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2677411 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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