Children's home run by Shalamar Children Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2720837 1 Registered provider: Shalamar Children Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home can provide care for up to five children aged six to 18 years with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 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 good

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2720837 2

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected. Inspection report for children’s home: 2720837 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 home opened in April 2023, one child has left in an unplanned way. The manager was not provided with full information about the child’s needs, which did not become apparent until the child moved to the home. The manager worked with the placing authority to ensure that the child moved on in a positive way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager understands the importance of gaining detailed information about children before they move to the home and demonstrated learning following a child needing to move on in an unplanned way. The manager and staff team visit children when possible before they move in and arrange for children to spend time at the home so that their move is positive for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are safe, happy and settled. Staff use a therapeutic approach. They respond to children in a playful and emotionally warm way that helps children to make progress. Staff said that they like using the approach and feel confident to implement it in their work with children. Children’s relationships with their key workers are strong.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from professionals is consistently good. Professionals comment positively on the high-quality relationship-based practice at the home and thoughtful and creative ways in which individual children are cared for. A social worker said, ‘Staff are consistently caring, responsive and therapeutic.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff think creatively of ways to capture positive behaviours. They use a daily compliment book to record and reflect on children’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in education and have plans for a return to school after the summer holidays. The manager and staff are committed to and enthusiastic about children’s learning. The manager consistently communicates with other professionals regarding plans for education provision, especially when a move to the home results in a change of school for a child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff meet the children’s health needs. They regularly review health plans and have good communication with all health professionals. Staff are thoughtful and creative in ensuring that children make very good progress with their specific health needs. Key workers discuss children’s specific healthcare needs with them sensitively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children’s likes and dislikes well. Daily ‘community’ meetings at the home give children the opportunity to express their wishes and preferences. Children know how to complain and access advocacy if required. Children help staff to create meal plans and, together, they discuss ideas for future activities, such as days out. This helps children to feel a sense of control over their lives. Inspection report for children’s home: 2720837 4

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

A safe and well-trained staff team looks after children well. Recruitment checks are strong.

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

Staff understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. They are confident to raise concerns to keep children safe. Incidents are well recorded and have management oversight.

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

Since the home opened, no children have left without permission. Staff have clear guidance to follow if children do leave the home without permission.

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

There have been no physical interventions since the home opened. This is because staff know children well and use de-escalation strategies effectively.

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

Staff praise children when they have made positive choices. Staff use a range of rewards that help children to build self-esteem and confidence. On the occasions when consequences have been used, they have been well considered. This means that children learn from mistakes and make better choices.

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

The manager has not sought advice from relevant professionals on the location of the home or considered the risk factors in the wider area. This does not ensure that staff are aware of local risks to children and how to reduce them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is confident and competent in his role. He is working towards a relevant level 5 qualification within timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they are very well supported with training. They are supported to achieve the required level 3 qualification and to further develop their skills and knowledge through a blend of face-to-face and online training that covers a wide range of relevant topics. The manager arranges additional training quickly when a specific need is identified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are informative and have a strong focus on children’s specific needs. They cover topics such as recording, referrals, safeguarding and key-work sessions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision provided by the manager is regular, reflective and curious. A deputy manager from another of the organisation’s homes ensures that bank staff’s supervision is undertaken within appropriate timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from professionals is consistently good. The manager ensures that professionals are regularly kept up to date on children’s progress. Weekly and monthly reports enable children’s progress to be monitored and tracked to continually meet their needs. The in-house therapist provides therapeutic oversight through their contribution to the monthly reports. Inspection report for children’s home: 2720837 5 The quality of recording is good. However, some language written and spoken at the home is not child friendly. As a result, there are missed opportunities to ensure that language is positive and caring. Inspection report for children’s home: 2720837 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that records relating to children are written in child-friendly language. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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: 2720837 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Shalamar Children Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 63a, Thames Industrial Estate, Princess Margaret Road, East Tilbury, Essex RM18 8RH

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Inspector

Emily Stevens, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2720837 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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