Children's Home run by Dimensions Care Limited in Coventry

Inspection report for children’s home: 2648446 1 Registered provider: Dimensions Care Limited 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 company. It provides care for up to four children who have experienced trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2023 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the last inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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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 outstanding

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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: 15 December 2022

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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: 2648446 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/12/2022 Full Good 17/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2648446 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have been supported to move into the home in a careful and considered manner. Three children have experienced unplanned moves on from the home, moving on sooner than anticipated in their care plans. One child did not wish to stay in the home and returned home to their parent, which was positive for them. One child left due to concerns that their individual needs could not be met safely in the home. Another child left following a serious incident. The registered manager and staff worked with carers and professionals to see the children again and say goodbye. This thoughtful work supported the children to better understand the reasons for their moves and to know they are thought about and remembered.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children build trusting relationships with staff. This helps them to feel safe and supported and promotes their welfare and progress. Staff provide children with highly attuned and individualised care. This is based on each child’s age and stage of development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff receive specialist training to support children, taking into account the children’s lived experiences and trauma. This helps staff to understand and embed the home’s therapeutic approach. For example, one child who has struggled with their behaviour and emotions has gradually been able to speak about how they feel. This good progress has resulted in staff not having to physically intervene as often to keep this child safe. The child told the inspector that they liked living in the home and had no worries.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend school. The attendance of two of the children is good. The other child struggled to cope in their previous school and is now benefiting from a careful and well-planned move to a local school. This is due to the registered manager working with the professional network and acting on the child’s wishes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff advocate for children to receive specialist health assessments to identify emerging needs. Children are registered with health services and attend routine appointments when needed. This means children receive appropriate support with their health and education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy choosing a variety of activities. They are able to learn new skills and have different experiences. This includes roller skating, swimming, basketball, and going on play dates and to festivals. One child recently enjoyed a birthday party where her favourite superhero attended. Another child took part in a charity fun run with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children are also encouraged to develop their independent living skills. Photos of children enjoying activities are used by staff to create memory books. Children take Inspection report for children’s home: 2648446 4 these and cherish them when they leave the home. The opportunities provided for children build their confidence and self-worth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s understanding of their cultural and religious needs and the support for this by staff is mixed. One child has been provided with religious texts and encouraged to learn about their heritage and its cuisine. Children and staff were observed cooking meals together and having a good time while doing so. However, staff have not received training to understand more about another child’s cultural and religious background and beliefs. This is a missed opportunity to increase staff knowledge around the impact of this on the child’s lived experiences and behaviours. The registered manager acknowledged this finding.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain relationships with their families. One child wishes to travel out of the country to attend his older sibling’s wedding. The registered manager is working with the wider professional network to safely plan for this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious and children’s bedrooms are personalised. However, a few areas of the home have not been maintained and repaired in a timely manner. Damaged shower equipment and missing light fittings have not been replaced. There are plans in place to address these issues. However, this takes away from the homely feel that managers and staff work hard to achieve for children.

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

Staff know the children’s individual risks and vulnerabilities well. Comprehensive individual risk assessments are regularly reviewed and followed and are updated after significant events. Staff work well with children so they understand the triggers and behaviours that may upset and pose a risk to them. This work has supported children to remain safe.

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

There are clear individualised plans for staff to follow when children go missing from home. These include details of places to search and friends and family to contact, as well as any immediate actions staff should take. The registered manager and staff work closely with external professionals, including the police. For example, leaders and managers recognised the vulnerabilities of one child. They worked with professionals and did not admit any further children to the home for a short period of time. Managers and staff have provided intensive support, which resulted in the placement becoming more stable. The child’s missing-from-home episodes and levels of staff supervision then reduced. This leads to children remaining safe and having more understanding about keeping themselves safe.

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

The staff recruitment process is thorough. When allegations are made against staff, the registered manager takes appropriate action. This safeguards children while matters are investigated. Following a serious incident at the home, managers and staff have reflected on their practice and the registered manager also identified areas for continuous improvement. Inspection report for children’s home: 2648446 5 Staff have a clear understanding of safeguarding processes and procedures. This information is included in induction for all new staff. The registered manager shares information about all serious incidents. This is done in a timely manner and with relevant professionals. Children’s plans are updated following incidents. This means children benefit from safeguarding practice that is modified in line with their needs. One child’s social worker told the inspector that all safeguarding concerns are addressed promptly by the manager.

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

Staff are trained in the use of physical intervention. They use this proportionately and record it appropriately. The registered manager has oversight of this to ensure that children are kept safe and staff practice is safe. Positive behaviour is encouraged through effective reward and praise. The trusting relationships that staff build with children are key to children’s ongoing safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is passionate about providing high quality care to children and has created a culture of high expectation and aspiration. Multi-agency working is a notable strength of the home. The manager and staff are steadfast in their commitment to seeking the right support for children. This is recognised by professionals. One child’s social worker said the registered manager is outstanding and that they work in partnership to keep children at the centre of decision-making and communication.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is supported by two committed deputy managers. As a management team, they have a clear vision for improving outcomes for children. Managers are strong advocates and challenge the professional network when children’s plans are not in their best interests or they are not getting the services they need. This robust approach to leadership helps children achieve better outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers know the children and the staff team exceptionally well. They are aware of the home’s strengths and areas for development. They have introduced effective monitoring systems to identify changes and improvements when needed. For example, a system to track and understand children’s behaviour has been introduced recently. This enables managers and staff to adapt their practice so children can continue to benefit from care attuned to their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are very positive about the registered manager. They say the manager is extremely supportive and the supervision they receive is effective and regular. Staff also feel team morale is high and has significantly improved. This follows a change of several staff and children in recent months. Leaders and managers understand the challenges and impact of staff changes on children. They have plans in place to improve this, including a clear career pathway to encourage internal staff promotion. This is to support consistency of care and stability for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children new to the home are welcomed sensitively by managers, even when their move to the home has been unplanned. Good matching means that children get along well as they live alongside each other. The manager and staff support children’s Inspection report for children’s home: 2648446 6 relationships with each other. Direct work, encouragement, praise and doing activities together have been effective strategies. As a result, the children’s progress is good and they are very well supported .

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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: 2648446 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Dimensions Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5 Brooklands Place, Brooklands Road, Sale M33 3SD

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Inspector

Nurul Kabir, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2648446 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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