Children's Home run by Halliwell Homes (Midlands Division) Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2611027 1 Registered provider: Halliwell Homes Midlands Division Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a private children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to eight children. The home has an attached registered school. The inspector only inspected the social care provision.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 15 September 2021. She has an appropriate qualification and is suitably experienced.

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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: 2611027 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2611027 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, six children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, one child moved in to the home. This placement only lasted a short time before the child returned home to the care of their parents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Placement plans are clear and set out what staff must do to meet the needs of children effectively. All staff are aware of the detail set out in children’s individual care plans. This ensures that children are treated consistently and know what their objectives are and how they will be met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children attend the organisation’s on-site school, while the others attend a local mainstream school. Consistent routines and good teamwork between the care and education staff support children’s educational progress effectively. Staff make determined efforts to overcome barriers to children’s education that stem from emotional and behavioural difficulties. This means that where children require additional support to promote achievement, this is quickly identified.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are registered with appropriate healthcare services and attend appointments with the support of staff as required. Medication administration systems promote good health because all prescribed medication is given as directed by health professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The provider’s clinical team supports staff and children in the home. They play an integral role in overseeing children’s day-to-day care and staff practice. For example, the clinical team provides staff with regular consultation and child-focused meetings to oversee and review children’s progress. Children are also supported to engage in clinical sessions, such as play or yoga therapy. This practice helps professionals and family members to understand children’s journeys and ensures that children are receiving suitable clinical support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s views are listened to. This helps children to feel valued and fully involved in decision-making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to join local clubs and take part in activities within the community. This enables children to develop confidence, integrate with different friendship groups, and enjoy a real sense of achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff fully support children to stay in touch with their families and have a good understanding of their background history and relationships. Some children have made significant progress in improving these relationships. Staff work proactively with parents and partner agencies to ensure that family time is safe, enjoyable and promotes continuity of care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2611027 4 The accommodation is decorated and furnished throughout to a good standard. Maintenance and repairs are promptly dealt with.

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

Staff understand children’s vulnerabilities and the risks that some behaviours may pose to their welfare and safety. Good levels of supervision and support, alongside good-quality risk assessments, are used to protect children and minimise the risk of harm.

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

Staff receive safeguarding training that is regularly refreshed. They have a good understanding of their duties in promoting children’s welfare. They understand the procedures to follow in relation to safeguarding concerns and allegations. This reinforces the safety and protection of children living in the home.

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

The manager ensures that any allegations about staff and any concerns about children’s safety are shared appropriately with the relevant authorities. She takes appropriate action to safeguard children pending the outcome of any investigations.

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

Staff have high expectations of children’s behaviour. Positive behaviour is promoted because staff communicate well with children and focus on recognising and rewarding good behaviour. Staff are confident in their behaviour management skills. They intervene proactively when they see signs that behaviour is beginning to deteriorate, and will use physical restraint when it is necessary to keep children safe. When physical restraint is used, records are clear and include comments from children after the event. This allows children to manage and discuss their feelings and move forward in their emotional development.

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

The accommodation provided for children is physically safe and appropriately secure. There are effective health and safety systems in place. Regular practise evacuations take place to make sure that children know how to exit the building safely and quickly in case of an emergency.

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

The staff recruitment and selection process is thorough. The manager does not confirm any new staff appointments until all checks have been completed. These measures positively promote the safety of the children by preventing unsuitable adults from working with them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in position since September 2021. She is suitably qualified and experienced in working with children who have suffered adverse childhood experiences. A deputy manager supports her. Together, they promote the aims of the statement of purpose and provide good levels of care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager provides staff with appropriate direction and guidance. There are suitable supervision arrangements and opportunities to learn from and reflect on care practice. This is providing children with more-consistent and predictable Inspection report for children’s home: 2611027 5 responses from staff. There are clear expectations and boundaries in place, and good communication from staff to the children. This is improving the children’s experiences of their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a range of training courses to help to develop their knowledge, skills, and professional practice. New staff receive an induction programme, followed by being enrolled on the level 3 diploma in residential childcare. As a result, staff are trained to meet the needs of the children in their care and gain the required qualification within timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses monthly team meetings to ensure that everyone is up to date about how to promote and protect the children’s safety. One of the organisation’s therapists attends team meetings, which enables staff to reflect on any incidents of significance and how they can learn from them. This means that learning is captured from significant incidents, which enables staff to learn and develop greater skills in their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Positive relationships exist with other professionals, families, and the local police. This makes sure that multi-agency support is provided for children to promote their progress. A social worker reported, ‘In terms of communication, the home keeps the local authority up to date and informed with any incidents in the home as well as any significant events. All key information is shared well and communicated effectively.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2611027 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: 2611027 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pearce House, 80 Cawdor Street, Eccles M30 0QF

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Inspectors

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector (lead) Jas Nahar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2611027 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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