Children's home run by Caritas Homes Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2651806 1 Registered provider: Caritas Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home was registered with Ofsted on 25 November 2021. The home provides care for up to four children who experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The suitably qualified and experienced registered manager has been in post since the home opened.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2651806 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2651806 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The care provided to the children is good. The staff understand the children and are able to meet their individual needs. Care planning is thorough and responsive to the presenting needs of the children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff complete a risk assessment before a child moves into the home. This reviews whether staff are able to meet the child’s needs and considers the home’s statement of purpose and location risk assessment. Careful thought is given to how children living in the home are likely to get along together.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The relationships between the children and staff appear strong and established. The staff talk enthusiastically about the children, whether this be their current care needs, uniqueness, achievements or aspirations for the future. They speak about the children with warmth, commitment and respect.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children appear relaxed living in their home. The atmosphere is light, with lots of laughter. The home and surroundings are picturesque and somewhat remote. This provides space and a physical distance for the children from more urban areas. The staff are aware that while this remote location currently meets the children’s needs, it may not in the future.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are making significant progress in all areas of their lives. They are attending school and most have 100% attendance. One child has been supported by staff to re-engage in education to the extent that they have moved from being highly resistant to achieving 100% attendance. As a result, this child has discovered the joy of learning and wishes to go to university.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff ensure that the children’s physical and mental health are well supported and improving. The staff are aspirational for the children in their care, which is conveyed in all that they do.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff encourage children’s participation through the completion of weekly thoughts, feelings and suggestions forms. This promotes openness about current worries and concerns, as well as motivation for the week ahead.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support the children’s relationships with their parents and brothers and sisters. They are flexible in how they support family time and understand the complexities for children when they return to the home after family time.

p.3

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

There have been few safeguarding incidents since the home’s last inspection. Records of safeguarding incidents are thorough and robust. The discussions that staff have when children return home after going missing lack detail and Inspection report for children's home: 2651806 4 professional curiosity. It is not clear that staff have explored where the child went and any particular risks they faced. Consequently, opportunities to reduce risk may be missed.

p.3

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

The staff have high expectations. They set clear boundaries, which help children feel safe and are rarely challenged. Children are polite and respectful to the adults and other children. When there have been minor inconsistencies in care, causing confusion for a child, there is evidence of staff reflection and adjustments.

p.4

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

The children are supported by staff to take responsibility for their actions when things go wrong. Consequences for negative behaviours are fair and learning is always encouraged.

p.4

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

The staff are strong advocates for the children in their care. They are aware of the children’s rights and work well with partner professionals such as schools, children’s mental health services, police and the children’s social workers. These professionals consistently praise the staff and the quality of care they provide.

p.4

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

The safety of the children is a priority for managers and staff. The manager ensures that the comprehensive risk assessments for each child are reviewed monthly. Children say they feel safe and have a sense of belonging. However, sharp edges on broken freezer drawers could pose a potential risk to a child who has a history of self-harm. The manager acknowledged the risk and responded appropriately.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This new home has made a good start. The manager is reflective and provides good oversight. He ensures that the home achieves the aims and objectives described in the statement of purpose.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has clear aspirations for the children, which are shared effectively with the staff and children. This well-communicated drive to ensure that the children are supported and encouraged to achieve has a demonstrably positive effect.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is stable and the children are settled. The registered manager and the responsible individual are highly motivated to improve the lived experiences of the children in their care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff share a clear ethos that the well-being and progress of the children are everyone’s responsibility. The staff monitor children’s individual progress via unique targets for each child, captured on the electronic recording system. These documented targets are set in partnership with the children. This promotes participation and a sense of autonomy for the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff are well supported. Staff training is comprehensive and the manager has strong oversight of the skill base and training of staff. Staff undergo a six-month probation period, with clear expectations. The staff are invited to share feedback in the open team meetings. Inspection report for children's home: 2651806 5 The principles of diversity, tolerance and equality are embedded in the home, with careful consideration of the diverse needs of the children and staff. Inspection report for children's home: 2651806 6

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The 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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, replace the three broken freezer drawers. 12 July 2023

p.6

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: 2651806 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Caritas Homes Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: F27 Marlowe Innovation Centre, Marlowe Way, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 6FA

p.7

Inspectors

Jane Balfe, Social Care Inspector Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2651806 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.

p.7

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8