Children's Home run by Brighter-Futures-Cymru Limited in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2701401 1 Registered provider: Brighter-Futures-Cymru Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who present with emotional needs and associated risks caused by early years trauma and attachment. At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2023, when this home 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: 2701401 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first inspection of the home. One child has lived here since the home was registered, and a second, younger child came to live here at the end of April 2023. Both children experienced an introduction to the home and staff team, which included opportunities to visit and get familiar with the home before living here. A guide for children about the home with photos and helpful information has been further developed with input from children. The older child went through the guide with the younger child when they arrived, providing reassurance about the home and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported well to build positive relationships with the adults that care for them. Trusted and secure relationships have developed that support both children effectively in making significant progress at this home, even in the short period of time for one child. Children engage in many activities, including swimming and having a membership for a dance club. They are encouraged to have aspirations, and with the can-do support from the staff team, children have climbed mountains in Wales and experienced indoor skydiving.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Due to complex medical needs, one child experienced prolonged periods of time in hospital before living at this home. Medical care impacted on the child’s ability to attend full-time education. However, with the support and advocacy from the manager and the team, the child was able to sit exams like her peers. Before the child moved to the home, the manager ensured that the full care team received bespoke training to meet the child’s medical needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children say they like this home. ‘It’s great here,’ said one child, and another told their social worker that they want to live here forever. The house is suitably decorated to provide a family-style home. Children personalise their bedrooms and contribute to the development of the home and gardens. During the summer months, the children enjoy using the garden, where they have fun in a paddling pool, on a trampoline and on a new climbing frame with swings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are regularly sought and acted on. Adults respect what is important to the children with regard to their identity and what is important to them. Cultural needs are met and promoted along with an education on equality and diversity. For example, the children learned about Windrush Day and have undertaken some fundraising events to think of others.

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

The safety of children is paramount, and any changes to care plans or risk assessments are made in consultation with the network of professionals involved with each child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2701401 3 Staff understand risk management in the home and how to take measured risks. One child was subject to a court order imposing restrictions on their liberty, and due to the progress made, the court order has been successfully withdrawn. A social care professional reports that the child is taking measured risks, and their lifestyle has flourished as a result. They say that the staff team ensures the child is as safe as they can be, without wrapping them in cotton wool. Children have not gone missing from this home.

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

Safeguarding concerns are managed well. Action taken to address any issues is robust and timely. Children are supported and educated to access social media platforms with the knowledge to restrict access to others and to be wary of approaches from unknown individuals.

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

Restraint is used at times. These interventions are proportionate and used for the least amount of time required to ensure that the children’s risk of harm to themselves or others is removed. A guide away is often all that is needed. Management oversight of records of restraint ensures that the correct practice is followed. Such incidents have not led to any allegations against staff for improper intervention.

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

Records of the administration of medication contain some errors. Children are not being administered incorrect medication, rather, the record of the medication stored is not always counted correctly. Such errors are identified by senior staff when undertaking an audit; however, these errors have occurred too often and have the potential to impact on the children’s safety, health and well-being.

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

Given that there is no longer any court order restricting the liberty of children at this home, the manager should review the restrictions in the home, such as door locks and window restrictors.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced in residential care for children. He is committed to providing good-quality care and leading an effective staff team. Staff members report that they enjoy their work, and they are trained, supported and receive formal supervision. The manager is reported to provide structure and clear guidance for the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a strong advocate for children. He is tenacious in his challenge to other professionals when promoting children’s best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team benefits from regular team meetings and the input of clinical support to discuss its approach in supporting children to manage their emotions and behaviour.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Effective partnership working with social care professionals is strong. They report positively about this home and the care provided to children. For example, they say, ‘The therapeutic approach means there is an open, responsive culture,’ and ‘The Inspection report for children’s home: 2701401 4 management is constantly focused on staff resilience, well-being and training, which I feel gives the children a really nurturing, engaged and responsive culture where they can thrive.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2701401 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 person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicines kept in the home are stored in a secure place so as to prevent any child from having unsupervised access to them;

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)) 1 August 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should undertake a review of locking external doors and having window restrictors on the ground floor, given that there is no longer a court order to restrict the liberty of children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 50, paragraph 9.62)

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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: 2701401 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brighter-Futures-Cymru Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Malthouse Business Centre, Malthouse, Regent Street, Llangollen LL20 8HS

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Inspectors

Clare Davies, Social Care Inspector Hazel Bailey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2701401 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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