Children's Home run by Good News Nwk Ltd in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1277479 1 Registered provider: Good News Nwk Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to two children with learning disabilities. There was one child living at the home during this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is being led by an acting manager who is in the process of becoming registered with Ofsted.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1277479 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/04/2022 Full Good 20/04/2021 Full Good 07/01/2020 Full Good 27/02/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1277479 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There was one child living at this home at the point of this inspection. Staff encourage the child to make choices in the decoration of the home so that it reflects his tastes and interests. The environment is homely, comfortable and a safe space for the child. Staff are creative in meeting the child’s changing needs, and this helps to promote his development. For example, they use various methods of communication and have adapted these over time to meet the child’s needs. This has significantly improved the way he communicates with staff and others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have developed good relationships with the child. They provide a structured plan of activities that are fun, enjoyable and help the child make progress in his development. The child is now taking part in new activities and developing new skills. Staff have helped the child to become more confident with new people. This means that he will have the opportunity to continue to build his social skills. The child has developed confidence and improved their self-esteem, which is good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have high aspirations for the child. Staff help the child to learn some crucial independent living skills. Staff have been creative in making guides that are appropriate to the abilities of the child to help him develop skills for later in his life. This means that the child is involved in activities like laundry, shopping and cooking. A professional stated, ‘I have seen a real increase in independence skills.’ A family member said, ‘Staff are patient. They have supported him to improve communication skills.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There has also been a reduction of incidents now that the child is better able to communicate his needs. Improved communication has prevented the child from becoming frustrated and has helped him make his feelings and wishes clear. This has led to him becoming more settled and content. For example, he would have become increasingly anxious with new people in the home, but now he is more accepting and relaxed.

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

Leaders and managers understand the importance of safer recruitment. For new staff joining the home, managers complete a range of pre-employment checks to ensure that they are safe to work with children. When there are concerns, the manager takes swift action to protect children.

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

The manager and staff have a good understanding of the needs, risks and vulnerabilities of the child. The staff team is creative in reducing and managing risks. Risk assessments are in place and amended and updated regularly. The staff understand what actions they should take to keep the child safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 1277479 4 Staff have supported the child to reduce the number of incidents that put them at risk of harm. Following any incident, the manager provides his oversight, and staff have an opportunity for reflection. However, opportunities are missed because key- work sessions with the child do not always take place. This would enable the child to provide their views on incidents and potentially assist the manager and staff to understand what led to the incident.

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

Staff manage the child’s medication safely. There are regular checks undertaken by the manager on staff competency. The manager supports staff to maintain good knowledge of medication administration procedures.

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

The manager has completed a detailed location risk assessment. He has worked collaboratively with partner agencies to develop a comprehensive assessment of risk in the local area. This means staff will be able to support the child and keep him safe while in the community.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A change of manager initially led to some instability for staff. However, the acting manager is committed, conscientious and is making changes that will benefit the child and staff. The manager has just submitted his application to become registered with Ofsted, and he understands the importance of timely registration. Additionally, this indicates his commitment to the home for the future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has developed a relatively new staff team that brings a variety of experience and skills. The manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the team. New staff complete a robust induction and training programme that is specific to the needs of the child. Staff attend regular team meetings. If changes are needed to ways of working, the team communicates well. This ensures that the child receives consistent and predictable care, which has led to the child becoming increasingly settled.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular individual supervision. They are well supported by the manager. This could be enhanced by providing an opportunity for staff to reflect on what works well for the child. Additionally, staff will benefit from the opportunity to reflect on their care practice and working in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team has advocated for the child to return to school. It sets up regular meetings with external partner agencies to consider the most appropriate educational setting for the child. This has led to the offer of a school place for the autumn term. This supports the child to have social and educational opportunities and represents very good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager undertakes monthly quality of care reviews. He keeps the home’s statement of purpose up to date and notifies Ofsted appropriately of any changes. The manager has good partnership working with the child’s family and involved professional agencies. This ensures that all agencies work together to ensure the child’s needs are met. A family member stated, ‘The staff are amazing.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 1277479 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to there being no registered manager in position since 15 March 2023. 31 July 2023

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to the need to support the child to learn following an incident. 31 July 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 1277479 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: First Floor Offices, 25 Sanders Road, Finedon Road Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 4NL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nokuthula Mangwendeza

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Inspectors

Alli Tandy, Social Care Inspector Phillip Morris, Social Care Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home: 1277479 7 regulates and 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 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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