Children's home run by Swan Children’s Homes

Inspection report for children's home: 2591822 1 Registered provider: Swan Children’s Homes 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 and managed by a private organisation. It provides care for up to four children with disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The suitability qualified manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2591822 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/06/2022 Full Good 23/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2591822 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, three children have left the home and one child has moved in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have trusting and secure relationships with staff, who know the children very well. Children benefit from a calm, positive environment. They receive a high level of emotional warmth from staff. Staff quickly understand what children need and how to meet their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children progress very well. When possible, they move on to foster care. Staff work well with social workers to plan for children who need longer-term residential care. Staff help children to understand their plans for moving on from the home. They carefully plan celebrations when children leave, and these celebrations involve the whole staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s communication methods. They use short stories, PECs, now and next board and visual timetables to help children to understand routines and activities and to make choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children go to a suitable external specialist education provision. They also attend a child development centre, which provides space for meetings, therapy and additional tutoring.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in activities at the home and in the community. Staff know the children’s likes and dislikes and plan activities accordingly. Staff think creatively about games and play at the home, which aids the children’s physical and emotional development. Children’s summer holidays are planned well, with each week having a theme. A trip to soft play and a picnic in a park were highlights.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff meet the children’s health needs, guided by detailed health plans. They quickly identify specialist equipment needed and liaise with external professionals and agencies to obtain these resources.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from having a large, enclosed side and back garden and courtyard for outdoor play. However, this area needs weeding and sweeping.

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

Children are looked after by a safe and well-trained staff team. Recruitment checks are strong. The introduction of a new database means that information on recruitment checks is readily available. Inspection report for children's home: 2591822 4 House community meetings are held regularly. Staff seek children’s views and explore their feelings. An independent advocate visits the children informally to explore any worries they may have.

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

In-depth shift plans and reflective handovers enable staff to be aware of any changes in the children’s behaviours and needs and to respond accordingly.

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

The manager investigates and manages any allegations appropriately. When necessary, she seeks advice from the local authority designated officer. The manager, and the responsible individual when needed, investigate and respond comprehensively to any complaints.

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

Children’s risk assessments are detailed and include a moving and handling assessment for a child with limited mobility. Comprehensive positive behaviour plans provide staff with a clear understanding of the child’s world and how to respond to them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is highly confident and competent in her role. She ensures that staff receive a good-quality induction and comprehensive training to enable them to provide exceptional care to children. Staff are supported to achieve the required level 3 qualification within timescales and to develop their skills and knowledge through regular, well-recorded supervision sessions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff are influential in changing children’s lives so they can successfully move on to foster care. When this is not possible, the manager is instrumental in advocating for children, challenging external professionals and ensuring that placing authorities consider all available options for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager, the deputy manager and the senior staff create a culture of high aspiration and positivity. This is reflected in the volume of complimentary feedback from staff and external professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The use of a tracking and progress tool enables staff to ensure that children continue to achieve good outcomes. The home’s positive behaviour lead uses the tracking tool to analyse children’s progress and share this information with staff and external professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager works with the in-house psychologist, external therapists and an occupational therapist to ensure that children’s needs are met and their progress is sustained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has demonstrated a sustained period of improvement since the last inspection. The introduction of a new computerised recording system has enabled comprehensive oversight of practice and children’s outcomes. A weekly round-up is a new and inspirational idea which enables staff to have a real-time snapshot of the last week. The positive behaviour lead evaluates and distributes the information in a Inspection report for children's home: 2591822 5 readable way to support the staff to develop their understanding of how children are doing and to help chidlren to meet their goals. Inspection report for children's home: 2591822 6

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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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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment. In particular, ensure that the garden and courtyard are well maintained. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2591822 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Swan Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 27a Green Lane, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2PX

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Inspectors

Emily Stevens, Social Care Inspector Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2591822 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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