Children's home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2645906 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives 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 privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. There were two children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by an experienced registered manager.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2645906 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/04/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2645906 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a spacious and comfortable home and garden. The manager ensures that the home is personalised for children to make it as homely as possible. Children’s families and pets are made welcome. They regularly visit the home. The manager and staff know how important this is for children’s stability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff help children to settle in quickly through their nurturing approach. Children soon start to build trust and make progress. One child is no longer going missing from care, and she has re-engaged in school. Another child has been able to openly talk about her feelings. As a result, children are learning to relax and enjoy the stability that the home provides.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children have moved on since the last inspection. Staff have supported one child to move back to live with his mother. Two children moved due to risks of exploitation. The manager worked hard with family members and agencies to ensure that they moved in a planned way. This kept the disruption to their lives to a minimum. Children stay in contact with the home, which is testament to the relationships they build.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. They are regularly taken to health appointments. One child has a specific health issue, which is monitored closely. The manager has ensured that the relevant medical professionals are involved so that the child receives regular reviews and the monitoring she needs. Managers and staff have excellent understanding of children’s therapeutic needs. They know how important it is for children to have routines, especially at night. As a result, children’s anxieties have started to reduce.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff ensure that children attend school daily. Where they struggle, the team works well with schools to implement strategies and approaches to help children manage their timetable. Children are making progress with their learning and social skills, which is a big achievement considering their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff carry out direct work with children on an important range of issues. They have confidence to broach sensitive subjects and challenge children’s thinking. This helps them to reflect on their behaviour, views and emotions. Children’s cultural needs are well met, which helps them to understand their identity and explore their religious beliefs.

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

Children are kept safe from harm. The manager and staff know children’s risks and vulnerabilities well. They create detailed and proportionate risk management plans which offer clear guidance about how risks can be mitigated. Since moving into the home, children’s risks have reduced in a short space of time. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645906 4 Children have trusted adults to talk to about any worries they may have. Gradually, children begin to confide in adults, which helps them to manage their anxieties. When children become distressed, staff use their experience and skills to manage children’s behaviour safely. There are some challenges, but they are being managed well. The staff know how to respond so that situations do not escalate. Physical interventions are used only as a last resort to keep everyone safe from harm.

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

When children go missing from care, the staff follow the required procedures and provide a well-coordinated response. They ensure that children’s families and professionals are informed and work tirelessly to ensure that children are returned home safely. Where children are at risk of exploitation, the manager works closely with the relevant professional agencies to keep children safe.

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

Leaders and managers have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. They recruit staff safely and ensure that they are supported into their role. Managers have learned lessons following a previous incident of concern involving a staff member. As a result, they have increased the level of supervision and training for new staff. Children are now part of the interview panel, and they are regularly asked for feedback about new staff to ensure that they feel safe and comfortable in their care.

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

The manager and staff help children to take age-appropriate risks. One child is now able to walk home from school with her friends. This situation is monitored by staff as any good parent would. Encouraging independence helps children to increase their confidence and self-esteem.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is experienced and has an excellent knowledge and understanding of children’s needs. She has built very strong relationships with children, and they love spending time with her. The manager is supported by a confident deputy manager who shares the same high aspirations for children. They speak passionately about their work, and their commitment to the children is commendable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is self-assured and assertive. She is not afraid to challenge professionals when it comes to getting the right services and outcomes for children. There are numerous examples where she has advocated for children to ensure that their needs are met. The management team is influential in terms of standing up for children’s wishes and feelings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have recruited a diverse team of staff who work well together. Staff receive regular training which is relevant to children’s needs. This is kept up to date and refreshed when needed. The staff take turns to share good practice in their team meetings, which helps to keep learning on the agenda. Staff benefit from regular supervision where they can reflect on their practice and Inspection report for children’s home: 2645906 5 consider their professional development. This helps them to stay focused on children’s needs and maintain their levels of resilience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager sets high expectations, and the staff work to these expectations. The staff respect her and say that she is approachable and open to new ideas. Staff enjoy working at the home and there are very few vacancies. The home does not require agency workers as the core staff cover shifts where necessary. This means that children are always cared for by people they know, trust and who are dependable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has implemented some insightful learning from children’s experiences at the home. She has improved the referral process to ensure that agencies are accountable for the information they provide. This is designed to minimise the risk of placements breaking down and causing unnecessary disruption in children’s lives. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645906 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: 2645906 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35 to 37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2645906 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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