Children's home run by Homes 2 Inspire Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2716221 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private company that is owned and operated by a national charity. It is registered to provide care for up to three children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager. This is the first inspection of the home since it was registered.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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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: 2716221 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children's home: 2716221 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff provide children with a lovely environment that is homely and maintained to a high standard. Children say they like their bedrooms; they value them and keep them very clean and tidy. The children enjoy spending time with staff in the communal areas. They also have a space where they could choose to spend time alone if they wish.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide nurturing and consistent care and treat children with respect. Children have trusting and positive relationships with the adults caring for them. Children benefit from predictable routines and boundaries. This helps them to feel secure. One child said they never want to leave the home and said, ‘Why would I want to change perfection?’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have access to a range of activities in the home and community. Activities are planned around children’s likes and interests. For example, one child was supported to go bug hunting, which they really enjoyed. This supports children to build their confidence and to experience a range of activities that they enjoy, and which enhance their relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and managers work hard to ensure that children who are not in education are supported back into education without delay. For example, the company’s education coordinator has escalated concerns with a placing local authority to ensure that one child is supported to return to an educational provision. The managers and staff understand how important this is for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children do not complain. Children say that if they want to complain, they are confident in discussing their concerns with staff. However, children do not yet have access to an advocate. This would further enhance children’s ability to express their feelings or any concerns with someone external to the home.

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

Children’s individual risk assessments are clear, detailed and reflect the risks and vulnerabilities for each child. Children’s needs are considered when new children move into the home. How the children will relate to each other and how staff will manage changes, including risks and vulnerabilities, are well considered. The manager has ensured that staff fully understand the children’s needs and risks and have the knowledge and skills to keep each child safe.

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

External professional agencies are positive about the help and support children receive. They say that communication with staff and managers is good. One professional said, ‘Communication is more than good. It is amazing.’ Inspection report for children's home: 2716221 4 Staff support children to expand their social network to ensure that children are not isolated. This helps children to develop age-appropriate independence skills, confidence and self-esteem.

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

The manager regularly monitors the quality of care provided to children. Managers complete regular audits to monitor the care provided. For example, the manager has new systems in place to regularly audit medication. This reduces the risk of medication being missed or inappropriately administered.

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

Leaders have not ensured that a member of staff was recruited in accordance with safer recruitment protocols. For example, there was a poor evaluation of references during pre-recruitment vetting. This has the potential to create vulnerability for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are ambitious for the home. They have plans to continue to develop the service further and attend regular meetings with the placing local authorities to ensure that children receive the help and support they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is reflective, thoughtful and seeks to improve care practice. There is a willingness to accept that things may not always work, but also a real desire to get it right for children. Feedback from external professionals is consistently positive. There is a joined-up approach with other professionals to meet the needs of children. This approach promotes the full involvement of the professional network around the child. For example, the manager is working closely with the police to reinforce the understanding and knowledge of staff in relation to some areas of safeguarding.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is visible and available to the staff and children. Staff and children say that she is very approachable. The team members work well together and say that this is so that children have good and consistent experiences with a stable staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have received additional training around the specific needs of children. This training is developing their understanding of behaviour management and providing additional strategies on how best to support children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager feels supported by an experienced, responsible individual. The responsible individual often visits the home and knows the children and staff well. Inspection report for children's home: 2716221 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children have access to appropriate advocacy support, and where possible, this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. Looked after children are entitled to an independent advocate to advise them and ensure they have the support needed to express their views, wishes and feelings about their care and lives. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 23, paragraph 4.16)  The registered person should maintain good employment practice. They must ensure that the recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: 2716221 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lumonics House, Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby CV21 1TQ

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Inspector

Corline Parker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2716221 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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