Children's Home run by Regional Therapeutic Homes Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2674029 1 Registered provider: Regional Therapeutic Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private company. The home provides care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The deputy manager has submitted their application to register with Ofsted. The previous registered manager continues to support the deputy manager in leading the home, from within their new senior management role.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 26 October 2022

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2674029 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2674029 3

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outstanding

The home is warm and welcoming. Photographs of staff and children provide a family feel. Children have close and meaningful relationships with staff and staff show children affection and care. Children enjoy spending time with staff. They enjoy pastimes such as playing board games and baking together. Children also regularly take part in activities such as crazy golf, roller skating and going to the gym. Staff have taken children on holiday, providing new experiences and opportunities to bond. As a result, children are happy and settled and have a sense of belonging. Children are at the heart of the home. Children feel listened to and valued. Bedrooms are personalised and individual interests are supported. Staff hold regular consultations with children to gain their wishes and feelings. As a result, staff have organised fun activities such as scavenger hunts, followed by children’s favourite meal. Staff are sensitive and responsive to children’s views. As a result, children

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outstanding

engage well and have a say in how the home is run. The home uses a therapeutic model of care. Staff are supported by a therapist who helps to inform and guide their practice. Staff receive extensive trauma-based training. As a result, staff are extremely skilled at providing nurturing care. The therapist regularly spends time with children, helping them to process their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Consequently, children are helped to heal through positive attachments and relationships. One child who has experienced a significant number of moves is settled and making remarkable progress. Children’s care plans help to identify and focus on children’s presenting needs. Research-based therapeutic resources are regularly used to engage children in focused discussions. Staff are creative in their approach. This helps children to learn and develop while enjoying an activity with staff. Children are supported to achieve in education. One child has made significant

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outstanding

progress with their reading as a result of the help staff have given them. Staff are creative in their approach to home learning when children are unable to attend school. Staff have supported one child who was out of education to achieve the necessary assessments to secure a place at college. One professional said, ‘[Name of child] wasn’t thinking about her future before and now she is planning her future.’ Children’s health needs are well met by staff. Staff support children to attend all health appointments. Staff have helped children to develop a healthier sleep pattern and to enjoy a healthy diet. Children’s emotional and mental health is extremely well supported. External expertise is sought where appropriate. Staff are strong advocates for children. This ensures that children receive the help they need. As a result, children make exceptional overall progress. Children are supported to maintain positive relationships with people who are

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outstanding

important to them. This helps with their identity and minimises feelings of loss. Inspection report for children’s home: 2674029 4 Managers and staff have developed strong relationships with parents. As a result, children receive collaborative and coordinated care. One parent said, ‘I am completely bowled over’ regarding the care provided, and they can see the ‘massive’ progress their child has made.

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outstanding

Staff have an in-depth understanding of the risks that children are exposed to. Risk assessments and behaviour plans are detailed and informative. They contain up-to- date information and clearly inform staff on how to respond. Risk assessments and plans are promptly updated after every incident. This ensures that staff have the right information to keep children safe. There is a relationship-based approach to care practice. Children invest in the home and in relationships with staff. This helps to create a sense of belonging where children feel safe and loved. Staff undertake meaningful work with children to help them understand the risks they are exposed to. Children are helped to make more informed choices. This helps to minimise risk and empower children. As a result, children have stopped going missing. Children who were being exploited have been kept safe. Staff are skilled at using de-escalation strategies with children. Therapeutic training

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outstanding

has equipped staff with the knowledge and skills to manage difficult behaviour effectively. Children feel accepted and understood. Staff help children to see things from a different perspective. As a result, staff have not had to use physical restraint. Specialist training has been sourced to upskill staff. Staff have received enhanced training around safeguarding and child sexual exploitation. They have a deep understanding of the issues surrounding child sexual exploitation and how to protect children. Children are being supported to understand what they have experienced. Staff are working in partnership with partner agencies to achieve the right balance between managing risk and supporting appropriate independence. External expertise has also been sourced to further support children at risk of child sexual exploitation. As a result, children are protected and make exceptional progress. Staff are safely recruited. The home undertakes all the necessary checks. There is a

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outstanding

thorough induction process in place. New staff are supported by more experienced staff. They are also required to successfully pass a probation period. All staff are provided with extensive training to help them to care for children in a trauma- informed way. This ensures that children are kept safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is caring and dedicated. She has high aspirations for the children and is invested in their progress. Managers are inspirational and well respected by staff and children. The manager creates a nurturing environment where staff are supported and challenged to develop their practice. She has high expectations of her staff. This helps to drive up the standard of care provided to children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2674029 5 Care outlined in the home’s statement of purpose has been thoroughly embedded throughout the service. The role of the therapist has been developed to incorporate additional support for staff. Staff receive regular group supervision led by the therapist. This is an opportunity for staff development and well-being. Staff are required to evidence their use of the home’s therapeutic model, providing a good opportunity for quality assurance. Care plans and direct work with children are

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

therapeutically informed and based on trauma-informed research. As a result, staff are invested in the approach and want children to achieve. Managers and staff have developed exceptional relationships with external stakeholders. They work well with other professionals, ensuring a collaborative approach. For example, the manager works closely with the local police. Information and intel are regularly exchanged, and the police visit the home routinely to meet with staff and children. This helps to minimise risk and keep children safe. One professional said, ‘Communication is excellent.’ The manager has a robust oversight of the home and effective quality-assurance processes. Regular and thorough checks are undertaken by managers. Outstanding actions or shortfalls are addressed promptly. Unresolved issues are escalated appropriately. Online systems have been carefully designed to enhance practice. Systems used allow events and records to be easily viewed and tracked. This helps

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

the manager to know how the home is running and ensures that all actions are carried out. Supervisions and team meetings take place regularly and include reflective discussions. They cover important topics such as areas for learning, safeguarding and staff development. Team morale is high, and staff enjoy working at the home. Staff appreciate learning from the manager’s knowledge and experience. One staff member said, ‘She is the heart of the home. Everything I know is because of her. She is amazing with every child.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2674029 6

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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: 2674029 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Regional Therapeutic Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 66c Askew Road, London W12 9BJ

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Inspector

Emma Dacres, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2674029 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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