Children's Home run by Positive Outcomes Childcare Ltd in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2652918 1 Registered provider: Positive Outcomes Childcare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s manager has been in post since 17 March 2023 and has applied to Ofsted for registration.

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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: 21 September 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: 2652918 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/09/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2652918 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have remained living in the home since the last inspection. No children have moved out. One child has moved into the home very recently and this was a positive experience for the children. Staff helped the child moving in feel welcome and supported him to personalise his bedroom. He was excited to tell his teachers about his new home and the staff who care for him.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are registered with local health services and access these when needed. Staff help to reduce children’s anxieties when there are barriers to attending appointments. For example, one child was taken to visit the dental practice to prepare them before their appointment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff receive clinical support and guidance from the organisation’s clinical director. She ensures that the clinical model is embedded in practice and is used to inform care plans. Staff are now developing therapeutic skills that enhance interactions between them and the children living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff regularly consult with children about the care they receive and seek their involvement in day-to-day decisions. Staff keep records of the discussions, which are reviewed by the manager. He writes to children to acknowledge their comments and sensitively addresses actions that can or cannot be achieved. As a result, children build trusting relationships with the manager and staff because they feel valued and their views are listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop age-appropriate skills that help them to increase their independence and confidence. Children help with household chores such as cooking and cleaning their bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are opportunities for children to enjoy a range of activities in the home and in the community. Some children prefer to spend time at home gaming or playing chess. Children are encouraged by staff to participate in physical exercise by playing football and visiting the local park.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is promoted by staff and managers. They work well with professionals when there are barriers to children attending school. However, actions taken to date have been unsuccessful in engaging one child in formal learning. Another child has struggled to maintain their previous levels of attendance.

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

The current manager and staff have a good understanding of exploitation. They identify indicators that may suggest that a child is at risk. When concerns are identified, information is shared with relevant professionals who work together to Inspection report for children’s home: 2652918 4 assess and manage risks. This early intervention reduces the risks of children being harmed.

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

Staff have a good understanding of children’s behaviours. Clear plans help staff to identify triggers and early warning signs, enabling them to apply strategies to reduce risks and keep children safe. They use co-regulation and grounding techniques to help children when they experience difficulties in managing their emotions.

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

It is rare for children to go missing. However, staff respond well when children are not where they are expected to be. They search for children and work with external services to locate them promptly. Staff welcome children home and ensure that they have an opportunity to speak to an independent person about their experiences. Information gathered is used to inform their plans to reduce reoccurring behaviours.

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

There have been two physical interventions since the last inspection. Physical intervention is used as a last resort to prevent harm to a person or serious damage to property. Staff use the least restrictive techniques that they are trained in. On one occasion, the previous manager had not reflected on the incident with staff and the child refused to speak with her. This is a missed opportunity to reflect and identify learning for the future. The current manager now ensures that staff and children are spoken with following a physical intervention.

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

Since the last inspection nine new staff have started working in the home. Safe recruitment systems reduce the risk of children being cared for by unsuitable individuals. On one occasion, the previous manager had not spoken with a child after they had made a negative comment about a staff member. This was a missed opportunity to explore potential issues and provide support for the child involved.

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

The home is maintained well. There are now blinds in the bathroom to ensure children’s privacy and dignity are maintained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A new manager has started working in the home since the last full inspection. The manager has a clear vision for the home and is ambitious. He understands the needs of children and the strengths of the home. Monitoring systems are effective. Information gathered is used to support staff development and improve the quality of care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported and enjoy their role. Supervision is now taking place regularly and provides staff with a safe space to reflect and discuss children’s plans, routines in the home, staff welfare and training and development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2652918 5 The manager and clinical director ensure that staff receive training to support them in their role. Some training is tailored to the individual needs of children. This means that children receive care from staff who are suitably skilled.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The provider keeps policies under review. For example, the management of medication policy now provides clear guidance for staff about transporting medication safely. Changes to policies are discussed with staff during team meetings, which are held regularly. Inspection report for children’s home: 2652918 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that a review of the effectiveness of restraints includes speaking with staff who were present. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that children’s progress in education can be measured and evidenced in various ways, including improvements in attendance and, where appropriate, reduction in behavioural incidents, including exclusion. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.2)  The registered person should explore children’s comments made regarding staff who work in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.10)

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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: 2652918 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Positive Outcomes Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Positive Outcomes Childcare Limited, 16 Queen Street, Wellington, Telford TF1 1EH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Ann-Cheri Callow

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Inspectors

Helen Dunn, Social Care Inspector Jade Bradburn, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2652918 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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