Children's home run by Platform Childcare Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2627409 1 Registered provider: Platform Childcare Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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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

Date of last inspection: 21 February 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: 2627409 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/02/2023 Full Good 08/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2627409 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This inspection was brought forward following a complaint being raised with Ofsted. Inspectors reviewed the concerns and were satisfied that the manager and staff had kept children safe and provided children with a good quality of care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, the same four children were living in the home, as they were at the last inspection in February. The children present as happy, settled and get along with each other. One child referred to the other children as their ‘brothers and sister’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All four children are making good progress in their health, education and well-being. For example, one child has returned to college, another child is in employment and has started driving lessons and another child enjoys time with friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is promoted and supported by the staff. All four children are in education or employment. One child is doing well in school, has good attendance and engages in multiple after-school clubs. They also provide training to local social workers. Another child who works in a social care setting has recently had a promotion to reflect their hard work.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s health needs. One child who was at risk of ill health has been supported with their diet and physical exercise to reduce the risk. The child has increased their knowledge of positive choices around food through engagement with a dietitian.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend valuable time with their families and friends. In addition, some children have been supported to increase their family time and have free time with their friends in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff provide the children with a safe, warm and welcoming home. There are personal touches throughout the home, such as photos of the children. The children have access to a large garden, and in the summer, they enjoyed a swimming pool. The children have their own bedrooms that have been personalised to individual tastes.

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

The staff know the children and their associated risks well. Their risks are documented in individual behaviour and risk management plans that are reviewed and updated regularly. The staff ensure that they follow agreed plans when children take risks. For example, there are clear strategies in place for self-harming behaviours.

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

Staff help children to understand their emotions. The children receive support from Inspection report for children’s home: 2627409 4 the staff, who use a resilience model of care. This helps the children to think about their triggers and how they respond. For example, one child can now recognise when they are struggling and will remove themselves from difficult situations.

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

Children are supported to take age- and developmentally appropriate risks. For example, children have access to mobile phones and spend free time with their friends in the community. The staff support the children to understand the associated risks and how to keep themselves safe away from the home. The children say that they feel safe and protected by the staff.

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

Children are supported to access specialist help. As and when required, the staff ensure that the children are referred for additional services, such as mental health support. Furthermore, the staff will take guidance and support from professionals to ensure that there is a consistent approach to children’s care.

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

The children are supported to have a voice. This is captured in regular children’s meetings, check-ins with the manager, key working and direct sessions with staff. The children are consulted before their reviews and engage in their care planning, which includes target setting.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has stepped up from the deputy position and is in the process of registering with Ofsted. She is suitably skilled and experienced and has just completed her level 5 qualification. The manager has benefited from extended support in this role from the previous manager, who has slowly been handing over duties since last year. Positively, staff have reflected on how ‘seamless’ this change in management has been.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high aspirations for herself, the staff team and most importantly, for the progress and outcomes of children living in the home. She is driving a culture of staff that are passionate about the work they do. She has high expectations for the children and the care they receive. The manager gives careful consideration when considering recruitment and staff who can work in the home and has taken action when staff have not met the expected standards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are being safely recruited through a thorough vetting process. New staff receive a robust induction that covers mandatory training, polices and time to read and understand children’s file.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager invests in the staff. This can be seen through regular, good-quality supervision that is reflective and supports their development. The manager ensures that there are regular team meetings and that time is used productively to improve practice and care for the children. The staff speak highly of their manager and feel supported in their roles. Inspection report for children’s home: 2627409 5 The manager has good monitoring systems in place. Her oversight of the home is captured well in documentation. The manager uses feedback from others effectively. This means that she maintains positive working relationships and, where needed, feels confident to challenge and advocate on behalf of children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2627409 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: 2627409 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Platform Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 2 Millennium Court, First Avenue, Burton-on- trent DE14 2WH

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Inspector

Stacie Sharpe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2627409 8 regulates and inspects 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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