Children's Home run by Brooks & Brooks Recruitment Ltd in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2711581 1 Registered provider: Brooks and Brooks Recruitment Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It is registered to provide care for one child who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2023. The manager is also the registered manager for another of the provider’s children’s homes.

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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: this is the home’s first inspection since registration.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: this is the home’s first inspection since registration.

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2711581 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is one child living in the home. Staff spent time getting to know the child before they moved in. The child has trusting and secure relationships with the staff. The child recently personalised their bedroom to reflect their likes and interests. This shows that they are beginning to feel a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The house is a safe environment for the child. There are photos of the child on display. These show the child enjoying days out with staff members. There are ornaments and soft furnishings in the home that have the child’s name. This gives a family feel to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made progress in education, and learning has increased since moving to the home. Staff encourage and celebrate the child’s learning through incentives. This has been effective and has resulted in the child receiving a number of rewards, including a pet reptile.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote the child’s physical and emotional health. They support the child to attend routine health appointments. The members of the staff team work with the provider’s psychologist and act on their advice to support the child. As a result, staff have a better understanding of the root causes of the child’s behaviours and how best to respond to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has access to an advocate. The advocate is advised of any significant incidents. This ensures that the child has the opportunity to talk to someone who is independent of the home. The advocate said: ‘Staff are very relaxed about advocacy, which is good. I really like the transparency.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When the child moved to the home, they were subject to a deprivation of liberty order (DLO). Staff have sensitively ensured the necessary levels of supervision in a discrete manner. This has led to the reduction in restrictions. This means the child can learn new independence skills. The child’s social worker said: ‘Due to the work of the staff in the home, the DLO has now been revoked.’

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

Staff understand the child’s risks and they are aware of the strategies to reduce or respond to them. Risk management plans are clear and concise and include advice from the provider’s psychologist. The child is aware of their plans. They understand why they are in place and can provide their views about their care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2711581 3 Staff use a reward system and restorative practice to promote positive behaviour. This approach is effective in discouraging negative behaviours. It also enables the child to recognise the effects of their behaviour on themselves and others.

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

Staff understand the child’s behaviours and are trained in physical intervention. Holding a child to keep them safe is used as a last resort. Any holds are in line with the child’s care plan and the home’s policies and procedures. Following the use of restraint, the child and staff have an opportunity to reflect. The manager reviews all records of restraint. This ensures that restraints are effective and proportionate.

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

The child is not missing from care on a regular basis. When this has happened, staff are aware of procedures to follow. When the child returns to the home, the child and staff reflect on any missing-from-care incidents. The manager reviews case records to identify any learning from experience. The child also can talk to an independent person and their advocate.

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

When room searches are required, the rationale for them is clear. Staff undertake room searches sensitively. The child is aware of any searches and of the reasons for the removal of any items from their room.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is confident and leads by example. She is ambitious for the child and has high expectations for the staff team. The responsible individual supports the manager in the operation of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The experienced staff team is stable and consistent. Its members are clear about their responsibilities. They are child focused and have a sense of shared ownership about their practice. Staff feel valued and supported by the managers of the organisation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager consults with the child about the care they receive. This is clear in their records and plans. However, the manager is not using this information to inform supervision and appraisals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that supervisions take place. These are in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Supervision is reflective and allows staff to consider their practice and the care that they provide to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular team meetings take place and the manager uses them as an opportunity to deliver whole-team training. Where necessary, the provider’s psychologist will attend meetings to offer advice and guidance on how the staff team responds to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff undertake a combination of mandatory training and training specific to the child’s needs. The provider’s psychologist has delivered bespoke training focused on the experiences of the child. One member of staff said: ‘This really helped me to understand the child and what they need from us.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2711581 4 The manager and staff team have developed effective working relationships with external professionals. Those working with the manager and staff speak positively about their work and communication. The child’s independent reviewing officer said: ‘The [members of the] staff team are very proactive in contacting me to inform me of any changes.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2711581 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff appraisals consider, where reasonable and practical, the views of children and other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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: 2711581 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brooks & Brooks Recruitment Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hilton Jones Limited, Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Oldham OL8 3QL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Junior Brandford

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Inspector

Sarah Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2711581 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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