Children's Home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Sandwell

Inspection report for children’s home: SC437486 1 SC437486 Registered provider: Progress Children’s Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation. The home provides care for up to three children who may have learning disabilities, physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a permanent registered manager, who is suitably experienced and qualified.

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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: SC437486 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/05/2022 Full Good 10/01/2022 Full Inadequate 19/06/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/01/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC437486 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children living at this home have a good experience and are making good progress. Children enjoy a range of activities at the home and outings with staff. One child told the inspector that she enjoyed going on a short holiday this summer, which has clearly given her treasured memories. Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home to an adult setting. Staff arranged a wonderful party to celebrate her birthday and moving on from the home. One child has recently moved into the home. Managers prepared for this move well, swiftly gathering the relevant information to plan his care. As a result, staff quickly understood his needs and he has settled into the home well, already making good progress. Staff engage with children in a warm and affectionate way. Children have developed trusted relationships with staff. Children seek out staff interaction and enjoy having fun with them. These interactions create a comfortable and relaxed homely

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

environment. Staff are motivated and provide well-planned, good-quality care to children. They delight in celebrating children’s progress and achievements. Staff understand the way children communicate. Children’s communication skills are improving. As a result, children are increasingly able to make their needs known and make some choices. For example, children choose the music they want to listen to and where they want to eat their meal. Although children have very different needs and abilities, they get on well together and spend time in shared spaces at the home. For example, all children enjoy playing together with water in the garden. Staff provide respectful care to children, in a way that promotes their dignity. For example, they are discreet about children’s health and personal care needs. They are proactive in seeking innovative ways to meet children’s needs. This includes meeting their cultural needs, for example by seeking specialist advice about hair and

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

skin care. The environment reflects children’s different needs and interests. Bedrooms are personalised and there are toys and games suitable for each child, such as sensory toys and board games. There is further work planned to develop the garden area to provide a greater level of activity and enjoyment in this space. Children are encouraged to develop their independence skills, but staff are not always consistent with this. For example, one child can help with her laundry and meal preparation, but she is not consistently encouraged to do so. This could limit her skill development.

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

Children are safe living at this home. Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Clear care plans are devised, reviewed and updated. As a result, Inspection report for children’s home: SC437486 4 staff understand what actions to take to keep children safe and meet their needs. Children do not go missing at this home; however, these risks are considered in children’s plans. The staff have excellent lines of communication. There are measures in place to ensure that all staff read and understand any changes or updates to children’s care plans in a timely way, for example if a new risk is identified. There is cohesion across the staff team, and staff work well in synchronisation with each other to respond to the children’s needs. Staff know children well and can pre-empt their needs. They are proactive in intervening with the right support at the right time, which often reduces unwanted behaviours. All incidents, accidents and significant behaviours of concern are well

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

documented. These are then reviewed by the manager, and any learning is shared with the staff, helping to reduce future incidents. Staff are trained in a range of safeguarding topics. This includes the safe handling of medication. Staff are also assessed to ensure their competency in this task. Medication is well managed in terms of storage, administration and record-keeping. Children, where able, are supported to understand their medication and its purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a very experienced and skilled manager at the home. The manager benefits from the support of being part of a wider management group, across the organisation. The organisation is investing in the development of team leaders, enhancing leadership and management. Managers are positive and strong role models for staff. As a result, the home is very well led, and staff feel very well supported in their roles. Managers have exceptional knowledge of the children and have high aspirations for them. Managers set an ethos of high expectations for staff, to always provide high- quality care for children. The manager understands what progress looks like for each individual child. The manager rigorously monitors the service, and this ensures that children continually receive a high standard of care. The manager values the input of the independent visitor and ensures that any recommendations are actioned for

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

continuous improvement. Managers and staff are strong advocates for children. For example, the manager has advocated for a child to sustain contact with a friend and has worked with other agencies to address this issue and overcome the barriers. As a result, the child feels listened to and has maintained an important relationship. Managers ensure that all staff are provided with a well-planned induction and ongoing support and training. This develops staff and equips them for their roles. Managers identify gaps in staff knowledge and training and are proactive in addressing these and supporting staff development. The well-planned and structured approach to staff training includes providing bespoke training, which is delivered through team meetings. This enhances staff knowledge and equips them to meet children’s very specific needs. Training is research-based and external Inspection report for children’s home: SC437486 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

professionals are invited to share their expertise. The manager has full oversight of staff training and makes timely arrangements to ensure that staff are suitably trained. There have been some changes in the staff team over the last year. The manager has taken action to minimise any negative impact of staff changes on the children. For example, she has appointed regular agency staff, and provides induction, supervision and training to agency staff. This has ensured that they are fully equipped to care for children at the home. There is a commitment and determination by managers to continue to build a strong and effective team. There is an overall positive atmosphere at the home, where children are central and progress is celebrated. Inspection report for children’s home: SC437486 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the staff team provides consistent support to children who are learning to become more independent, for example children who are learning to do their own laundry or meal preparation. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.4)

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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: SC437486 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Progress Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Progress Childrens Services Ltd, Progress House, 127 Millfields Road, Wolverhampton WV4 6JG

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Inspector

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC437486 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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