Children's home run by Vita Spirit Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2635269 1 Registered provider: Vita Spirit Limited 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 small private company and provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2635269 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2635269 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are four children currently living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well supported when they move into the home. One child visited for tea prior to his move into the home. More recently, when another child moved into the home, there was not the opportunity for them to visit first. However, staff ensured that the child was welcomed sensitively, and they gathered as much information as possible on the child’s arrival. Additionally, the needs and feelings of the other children living in the home were fully considered.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is presented to a good standard. Since the last inspection, improvements have been made and the communal areas now have a more personalised feel to them. Children’s bedrooms are well presented. Children’s interests are encouraged, and they have access to a range of books, toys and games. However, there is some attention required to the worn kitchen worktops, and the walls in the kitchen require painting. The manager has a schedule of works to address these matters.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a consistent team of staff who know the children well. The inspector observed staff showing genuine emotional warmth, care and nurture in their roles. As a result, children are settled. One child said, ‘It’s so good here.’ This gives them a sense of belonging. Since the last inspection, one child now uses the toilet independently and is trying a wider variety of foods. This is significant progress from their starting point.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A wide variety of communication methods are used with the children in the home. Staff have worked collaboratively with schools and speech and language therapists. This ensures that they are skilled in their use of communication applications on electronic devices, the Picture Exchange Communication System and Makaton. One professional said, ‘The staff have been proactive in sourcing training to be able to meet a child’s preferred means of communication.’ This means that the children can develop their communication, build on their self-esteem and become confident in making their own choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are sought regularly. They can influence their weekly menu and activities that they take part in. Achievements and birthdays are celebrated and captured in photos displayed around the home. Staff use several different reward systems. These are adapted to each child, with consideration of their understanding. Positive praise is part of the home’s ethos and culture.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress in their education. Each child is registered with all universal health services. This ensures that all their health needs are met. Good-quality direct work takes place, which helps to support children’s understanding of appropriate boundaries and staying safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2635269 4 Family time is well promoted. Staff demonstrate a flexible approach in making arrangements to benefit the children and their families. The children access a range of enjoyable activities in and out of the home. Recently, one child has started attending the local youth club. This is helping to enhance his social skills.

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

Safeguarding practice is effective and the use of one-to-one staff support significantly minimises the risk of harm. Staff receive training in safeguarding that is specific to children’s disabilities. Additionally, staff have a clear understanding of children’s needs, vulnerabilities and the potential risks they may be exposed to. Staff understand how to report and respond to any safeguarding concerns.

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

Staff are suitably trained in fire awareness, and children regularly take part in fire evacuations. These evacuations are tailored for each child. However, the registered person should ensure that all children have a personal emergency evacuation plan that provides staff with details of the support they require in the event of a fire.

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

Staff have a gentle and calm approach towards behaviour management when children become upset or frustrated. Staff use a variety of de-escalation techniques, such as spending time in quiet areas or participating in new activities. This helps children to reduce their anxiety and divert their attention positively. As a result, there have been no incidents of physical intervention, and other incidents are very minimal.

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

Safer recruitment practices are in place, staff are carefully monitored and appropriate checks are carried out to ensure that unsuitable people are not recruited. This ensures that children are cared for by adults who can care for them safely.

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

There are safe and effective medication procedures in place to ensure that the children have the appropriate medication when needed to maintain their emotional well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last full inspection, a new manager has been appointed. He is suitably experienced and qualified. The new manager has had a positive impact on the home. Staff say that he is supportive, and they feel valued. Leaders and managers are child focused and are driving improvements. Furthermore, staff say that the manager has helped them to better understand their roles and responsibilities in caring for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monthly team meetings provide a good forum to share information about the children’s plans and progress. All new staff receive a good-quality induction. They familiarise themselves with policies, procedures and children’s case records. New staff are given opportunities to shadow team members when they first join the team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2635269 5 The staff have been able to grow and develop their practice because of the good- quality support and regular supervision that are provided. The manager has recently introduced research-informed practice through workshops, and training is individualised to the needs of the children. This has helped staff to understand children’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good partnership working in place. Feedback from a range of professionals is positive. One professional describes the communication as ‘amazing’. This is a key strength of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2635269 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should continually and actively assess the risks of the children and ensure that there are arrangements in place to protect them. Specifically, all children should have a personal emergency evacuation plan that provides guidance to staff in the event of a fire. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that they provide a welcoming environment. This specifically relates to ensuring that kitchen worktops are replaced where these are worn and kitchen walls are painted to refresh the space. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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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: 2635269 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Vita Spirit Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 25 to 27 Seel Street, Liverpool L1 4AU

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Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2635269 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 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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