Children's home run by Holistic Approach Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2509838 1 Registered provider: Holistic Approach Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private organisation. The home provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties or learning disabilities.

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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 outstanding

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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: 2509838 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/04/2021 Full Outstanding 09/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 21/06/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2509838 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children form strong relationships with staff they trust and can talk to. Consistent discussions with children take place to help them to focus on their long-term and short-term individual targets, such as developing independence skills and preparation for moving on to a foster placement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have suitable full-time school placements and are making consistent progress. The staff help the children with homework and are routinely involved in school activities and presentations. Since moving in, children’s attendance and attainment have significantly improved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health is prioritised. They are registered with local healthcare practitioners and supported to attend routine appointments. In addition, children are supported by therapeutic services. This support enables children to begin to understand and make sense of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time is consistently promoted and supported by staff. Staff collaborate closely with representatives from the placing authority and the children’s families to ensure that appropriate boundaries are in place. This work helps children and their families rebuild positive and safe relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff implement robust routines to ensure that children understand their daily plans and expectations. For example, children are aware when it is homework time, time for activities and bedtime. In addition, staff support and encourage children to personalise their bedrooms with photos and posters. Bedrooms are spacious and clearly reflect each child’s personality.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s participation in recreational activities and hobbies is encouraged and supported by staff. Staff support children to build and maintain friendships in the community. This helps them feel part of the community in which they live.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff spend time with children discussing and debating matters that are prevalent in society, such as sexuality, race and discrimination. Children actively engage, and this enables them to learn about difference and acceptance. However, records of these important and influential discussions are not consistently held and are therefore not available to shape further discussions.

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outstanding

Staff and the manager prioritise safeguarding children. Risks to children are managed exceptionally well. The team work collaboratively with the placing authority, families and carers to agree plans on how risks to children will be reduced. Inspection report for children’s home: 2509838 4 The assessments are completed before the child moves into the home. Therefore, proactive safety measures are in place to keep each child safe as soon as they move in.

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outstanding

Children understand the boundaries and the strategies in place to support them in times of crisis. These clear and consistent boundaries help the children to feel safe and secure in their home.

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outstanding

Staff are trained in trauma-informed parenting. This training helps them to understand children’s individual circumstances and how this can be reflected through their behaviours. Because of this, staff are able to support children effectively to de-escalate situations.

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outstanding

There have been no incidents requiring a child to be held to keep them safe since the last full inspection in July 2022. Children are provided with a personal guide, explaining the use of physical intervention should the child be at risk of harm. This individual guide considers any sensory difficulties that children may have and the steps staff will take to ensure that they are held safely.

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outstanding

Children do not go missing from home. Children are happy, engaged and enjoy being around the staff. Strong and trusting relationships are formed, and this promotes children’s emotional safety. Assessments to support children’s ongoing safety are routinely reviewed, and this ensures that concerns are identified and managed quickly.

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outstanding

Children are supported to be safe in their community. Free time is carefully planned. Staff engage with children’s friends and their families. This ensures that children are associating with positive and safe peers during their time away from the home.

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outstanding

Children are supported to understand road safety and e-safety. Children must demonstrate that they can cross a road safely before they can travel independently. Likewise, children’s devices are regularly checked by staff and handed in at bedtime. This ensures that any risks are identified quickly and that children are not distracted at bedtime or during the night.

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outstanding

Regular meetings with the placing authority ensure that children receive prompt referrals when additional support is required. As a result, children are supported by a range of services.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has created a home where children can flourish. She has an exceptionally good understanding of the needs of children who come to live in the home. She leads the team in developing bespoke packages of care that enable children to make progress and develop strong, trusting relationships with staff. Staff understand their role and responsibility to the children and are dedicated to their role. They care about the children, and this is reflected in the relationships they form with them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2509838 5 All staff have an individual training package. One staff said, ‘The training is great, it really makes you think about the children’s experiences and how this impacts them.’ Staff training is routinely monitored through supervision. Additional support and training are offered to staff when necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they are extremely well supported and receive consistent supervision. One staff member said, ‘I have worked in many places, but this is different. This is like a family home. We are a very close team, and we all want the best for the children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Overall, the manager’s oversight of the quality of work completed is good. Records demonstrate that the manager regularly reviews and comments on all aspects of the children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The children’s home is looking a little tired and worn in places. For example, some windows are misted, and external woodwork is dry and damaged. Likewise, the block-paved driveway has sustained damage caused by underground tree roots. As a result, parts of the driveway are raised, and blocks have become loose. These matters are identified in the home’s development plan. However, no timescales have been agreed for this work.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the premises and external grounds are maintained to a good standard. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.09)  The registered person should ensure that staff maintain records of group discussions with children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)

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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: 2509838 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Holistic Approach Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, Sheffield S9 4WG

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Inspector

Maria McGranaghan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2509838 7 inspects 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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