Children's home run by Homes2Inspire Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2686745 1 Registered provider: HOMES 2 INSPIRE LIMITED Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private company that is owned and operated by a national charity. It provides care for up to two children. The home cares for children who may have emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager 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 outstanding

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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: 19 January 2023

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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: 2686745 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2686745 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The nurture and attention that the children receive from the staff help them to make progress and make happy childhood memories. Individually and collectively, children achieve outcomes that have a positive impact on their safety, protection and well- being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have lived in this home for varying lengths of time and have made progress with their individual experiences. One parent said, ‘My child has made so much progress. The staff are lovely and provide a team around the child to support him to achieve. What more could I ask for?’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive well-planned care. Staff ensure that children feel safe and secure by setting consistent boundaries and clear expectations. Children benefit from well- established routines, tailored to their needs. For example, children who had previously experienced anxiety and distress around bedtimes now have much healthier sleep routines. Their quality of life is considerably better as a result.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff take the education of children very seriously. They advocate on behalf of children to secure the right education provision for each child. When barriers to learning are identified, staff work creatively to overcome these. One child had been out of education for over seven months prior to moving to the home. Staff supported a gradual transition into education and the child is now attending education full time. Another child was making progress in education; however, as a result of the school setting not being able to meet the child’s needs, an alternative provision has been quickly identified, thus minimising the risk of drift.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are included in any decisions about the home and any plans that might affect them. Day-to-day chores and routines are designed to replicate a family home as much as possible. Children engage well because the home has a warm, nurturing and inclusive atmosphere.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s care plans are clear and focus on each child’s individual needs. Targets are set with children. These targets are reviewed and updated regularly. This ensures that children are involved in planning for their futures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a warm and welcoming environment with a family feel, with lots of photos of the children on display. Although children are supported to personalise their bedrooms, one child’s bedroom is sparsely furnished. The manager is working on solutions to support the sensory needs of the child to ensure that the room is of a high standard. Inspection report for children’s home: 2686745 4

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outstanding

Children have significantly reduced risks because of living in this home. Staff know each child’s history and needs. Staff continuously assess behaviours and contribute to the multi-agency meetings. Professionals are, therefore, working with the most up-to-date information and can decide how to support children to manage and reduce risk.

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outstanding

Risk assessments and risk management processes are excellent. Staff understand children’s vulnerabilities well and quickly address potential risks. Risk management plans are highly effective, providing staff with clear guidance on how to keep children safe.

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outstanding

The manager has ensured that staff implement a restorative approach to behaviour management, rather than the use of sanctions. This helps to educate children in a supportive way. Staff think of creative ways to manage risks and vulnerabilities and they show great persistence and determination in the face of very complex situations.

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outstanding

Staff are proactive in their responses to missing-from-home incidents. They are alert to known and emerging risks. Staff carry out widespread searches and implement disruption techniques to aid the quick and safe return of children. Staff carefully reflect with children about what may have led up to them going missing. Staff ensure that children meet with external professionals so that they have an opportunity to share their concerns. One professional said, ‘Staff always keep me updated and contact us straight away if anything happens.’ Staff go the extra mile when children have gone missing.

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outstanding

Multi-agency working is a strength. Children are safer because staff see themselves as an integral part of the larger network around the child. They communicate any concerns clearly and promptly with partner agencies, ensuring that risk management strategies are regularly updated. Staff are tenacious. Their approach to multi-agency working enables them to act at the earliest opportunity to protect children.

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outstanding

Children’s views and wishes are central to decision-making. One child was able to express concerns to staff in relation to the impact of their medication on their well- being. Staff worked with the child and medical professionals to ensure that the medication was reviewed. As a direct result, the medication has been stopped. Children’s views are consistently prioritised and children are always listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led and managed by a committed and experienced registered manager, who oversees two children’s homes. The manager and deputy manager work well together, creating consistency and stability within the team. This has enabled children to flourish and achieve their goals. Inspection report for children’s home: 2686745 5 Staff morale is excellent, and the team feel well supported by the manager. One staff member said, ‘The manager is one of the most amazing women I have ever met. She’s so supportive, she is really great.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff work well together and share the core values of the home. The positivity of the staff team is reflected in the way that staff engage with children. Children feel valued because staff enjoy working with them so much. A staff member said, ‘Staff go the extra mile for the children, we want them to have the best experiences and make wonderful memories.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that the progress of children is captured and understood. There are weekly reports about the children on file that consider their successes, as well as any more difficult periods. This also helps to track communications with external agencies and professionals. This allows the manager and staff to see the impact of their care on the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff understand their roles and responsibilities. Team meetings demonstrate that staff can reflect on practice and the needs of children. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings with their manager, covering a broad agenda. Supervision meetings are reflective, offer staff support and guidance and consider the needs and progress of children. However, it was identified that the deputy manager has not received supervision at the organisation’s own set frequency. This has the potential to impact his ability to continue to develop within the role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training is very good. All staff are trained to meet the needs of each child. When new needs emerge, staff are provided with additional training. Staff are offered good development opportunities in the home and the wider organisation. They value the opportunities that they have to take on additional responsibilities and learn new skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are reflective, thoughtful and seek to improve their management practice. They have a willingness to accept that things may not work, but also a real desire to get it right for the children. As a result, children receive care that meets their current and emerging needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2686745 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should maintain good employment practice. They should ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that children’s homes are nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, and they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislation (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional ‘impression. This is in relation to ensuring that bedroom solutions are identified to support the sensory needs of a child. (‘Guide to 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: 2686745 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: HOMES 2 INSPIRE LIMITED

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lumonics House, Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby CV21 1TQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Matthew Earnshaw

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Inspectors

Zoey Lee, Social Care Inspector Kay Challand, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2686745 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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