Children's home run by Amegreen Children’s Services

Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 1 Registered provider: Amegreen Children’s Services Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties who have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

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Information about this children’s home

There were three children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered on 27 May 2022 and this is the first inspection. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since the home was registered.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 2

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outstanding

Children thrive and flourish in this home. All the children have made exceptional progress in all areas from their starting points. Dedicated and skilled staff provide stability in a nurturing and homely environment. Children have personalised their bedrooms, which showcase their personality and hobbies. The framed photos, arts and crafts give the home a family feel.

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outstanding

Trusting relationships between children and staff have been built on patience, empathy, understanding and humour. One member of staff said, ‘It is a privilege to care for these children.’ The engagement witnessed by the inspector was endearing, kind and child-focused. Children approached staff for support, for example, at settling time in the evening. As a result, children experience stability, routine and a real sense of belonging.

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outstanding

The model of care and the ethos of the home are evident in the way that staff care for children. The children benefit from consistent boundaries, expectations and responses from staff. Staff promote problem-solving rather than consequence-based care. This encourages children to make positive choices, reach their goals and aim even higher.

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outstanding

All the children have enjoyed stability and made outstanding progress. Some children have previously experienced numerous placements. One child now views this as home and wants to stay until they reach adulthood. For another child, adverse childhood experiences had previously hindered their progress and placement stability. This child has now made cherished memories and views this as their home.

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outstanding

Children have made particular progress in their education and their health and well- being. Some children who have been out of the education system for several years are engaging and enjoying the new challenges of attending school or alternative provisions full time. Children are proud of their achievements.

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outstanding

Staff ensure that children are listened to and they act on children’s wishes and feelings. Shared mealtimes give children the opportunity to discuss their challenges and successes. For example, one child said they wanted to change the time that they spend with family.

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outstanding

Staff and children have excellent relationships with the local community. Children receive Christmas cards, are invited with staff to pick fruit from neighbouring gardens and attend local events and celebrations. The sense of belonging for children is purposeful and children talked with immense pride about where they live. Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 3 All staff and managers consistently reflect on the care provided to children to identify areas for improvement.

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outstanding

Children are safeguarded by efficient and organised staff. The well-being and safety of children are a priority for all staff and managers. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. They have an in-depth knowledge of internal processes and policies and consistently work together to keep children safe.

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outstanding

Children’s behaviour is understood and supported by diligent staff who know the children well. Important records and documents are updated to reflect any change in children’s behaviour or circumstances. This ensures that children receive informed and consistent responses.

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outstanding

Staff advocate well for children and provide appropriate challenge to the child’s professional network to ensure that they are able to access the resources that they need. Children’s individual risk assessments are comprehensive, regularly updated and thorough, to ensure that there is a shared understanding of each child’s vulnerabilities and safety plans.

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outstanding

Innovative staff support children to understand why and how the support they provide is designed to keep children safe. This helps children to engage with staff and to learn to stay safer. As a result, there has been a significant reduction in incidents for one child. For another, their emotional and mental health have significantly improved.

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outstanding

When a child requires physical intervention to manage behaviour or to safeguard them, staff approach this with sensitivity and compassion. Staff are meticulous in recording their responses. The inspector reviewed records that detail the individualised care and support that children receive from staff to help them through a crisis. Restorative discussions with children are child-focused and age-appropriate. This enables children to understand their emotions and maintain the secure attachments to staff who care for them.

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outstanding

Comprehensive and clear health and safety processes ensure that the home is safe and maintained to a high standard.

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outstanding

Recruitment of new staff is thorough. Records seen by the inspector provided confidence that the children are cared for by staff who are carefully checked to ensure that they are suitable. Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A strength of this home is the dedication, commitment and child-centred approach of managers and senior leaders. The home is led by a very committed and diligent manager who ensures that staff go above and beyond in caring for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Senior management oversight is comprehensive. The responsible individual knows the home’s strengths and areas for development. Children learn from motivated and empathetic staff. The nurturing approach is modelled by senior leaders who invest time in getting to know staff and the children. As a result, children view managers and leaders as part of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Senior managers and leaders inspire excellent practice from a highly valued staff team. The investment by the leadership team to ensure the emotional and physical well-being of their staff is well received. Staff told the inspector that they feel that they have benefited from the management support they get, which enables them to reflect on and explore their own emotions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff receive regular practice-related supervision. They also benefit from group supervision and reflection. This enables staff to feel empowered and listened to by managers and leaders. Innovation is threaded throughout practice. As a result, staff problem-solve for themselves, which sets a good example to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have access to a broad range of well-organised training and development opportunities. Managers have a highly effective system for monitoring staff’s training needs and the required timescales for completion. Therefore, staff are knowledgeable and skilled to meet the needs of the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Monitoring systems are highly effective. Quality assurance and oversight by senior managers are organised well. Any shortfalls are addressed quickly and meticulously by the registered manager and leaders.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are no requirements or recommendations as a result of this inspection.

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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: 2689713 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amegreen Children’s Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Courtyard, Sulhamstead Abbots, Sulhamstead, Reading RG7 4EE

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Patrycja Soroczynska

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Inspector

Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 6 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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