Children's home run by Hennessy Living Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2520922 1 Registered provider: Hennessy Living Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to six children who experience social and emotional difficulties and who may have mental health issues. The accommodation consists of a four-bedroom house and a two-bedroom bungalow.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager at the home since 11 April 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home. The inspector spoke with both children during the inspection.

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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: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 4 and 5 April 2023, the home was judged inadequate as there were significant shortfalls in the provider’s safeguarding practice due to ineffective leadership and management arrangements. Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation at the home and two compliance notices under regulations 12 and 13. Inspection report for children’s home: 2520922 2 On 9 May 2023, a monitoring visit was carried out to monitor the provider’s compliance with the notice restricting accommodation and to review the provider’s response to the compliance notices. The provider demonstrated that they had taken appropriate action and made improvements. Therefore, the compliance notices were met. The provider provided an action plan to continue the improvement work in this home. In response, Ofsted agreed that the notice restricting accommodation would remain in force until 29 June 2023.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 28 June 2023, a monitoring visit was carried out to monitor the provider’s compliance with the notice restricting accommodation. The provider had not admitted any further children and had continued to make improvements in this home. Ofsted agreed that the notice restricting accommodation would not be restated.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

The requirements that were previously issued under regulations 6, 11, 14, 35 and 36 were not reviewed during the visit and were restated. Inspection report for children’s home: 2520922 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/04/2023 Full Inadequate 03/10/2022 Full Good 01/02/2022 Full Good 19/02/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 2520922 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The overall ethos of the home is renewed. The quality of care that children now receive is good. The two children who have lived in the home since the last inspection have made significant progress from their individual starting points. One child said, ‘I am much happier; this is home for me now, I really like it here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children and place their well-being at the centre of their practice. This means that children can develop trusted relationships with staff. The positive and nurturing relationships support children’s continued progress and general well- being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support family time and make sure that this is safe and in line with children’s plans. Children’s siblings and friends are welcomed into the home, including for overnight stays. This allows children to develop a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is being planned more proactively. Additional resources and plans are in place to support children who are struggling to attend school. As a result, staff are clearer in their role in ensuring that children receive their education. Furthermore, one child completed all of their GCSE exams and secured a part-time job over the summer months.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to become more independent. Children learn to manage their own personal care needs and prepare their own meals. This helps to build their confidence and prepare them for their futures. One child said, ‘It’s mint how much the staff have helped me, I feel so much more confident doing things for myself.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive the support that they need to actively engage in activities inside and outside the home. These activities enrich children’s experiences and serve to strengthen their relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is warm, welcoming and nurturing. There is pride in the upkeep and cleanliness of the home. Photos of the children are displayed throughout, which reminds children of their achievements and positive experiences.

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

Staff know the children and their risks and vulnerabilities well. Staff know what to do when a child is at immediate risk of harm. Risk assessments are well written and personalised for each child. Children’s plans identify clear steps for the staff to take, which helps to reduce the risk of harm to children.

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

Children say that they feel safe in the home. They feel able to talk to staff and tell them about their worries or situations they have found themselves in that may result Inspection report for children’s home: 2520922 5 in harm. This means that staff can put in place effective strategies to manage situations that occur.

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

The relationships between staff and children are strong. Staff provide children with structure, routine and boundaries, which means that they have a sense of safety and security. Positive behaviour is encouraged through praise and reward. This positive approach allows children to express their emotions in a safer way.

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

Staff understand that children’s adverse experiences can impact on their development, and this informs staff’s responses to children’s behaviour. Staff show empathy and provide children with constant reassurance.

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

Staff are skilled in de-escalating situations when children are upset. As a result, staff rarely need to hold or guide children, and this only takes place as a last resort by staff who are trained to do so. During and after these incidents, children are reminded of how much they are cared for. Leaders have oversight of when staff need to physically intervene to ensure that it is proportionate and safe.

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

When children are missing from home, staff take swift action to ensure that children return safely. Staff adhere to missing-from-home protocols by following children to encourage them to return. Records are well maintained and reflect a proactive approach by staff to achieve the child’s safe return to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has an effective leadership team. This includes a strong interim manager who achieves oversight of the home through being part of the team as well as leading it. She is supported by a knowledgeable deputy and the responsible individual, who takes an active part in the monitoring and oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders are respected by children, staff and other professionals. The interim manager has good oversight of the events in the children’s lives. One staff member said, ‘This is the first time in a long time I feel we can go forward, we have never been in a better place than now.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have worked closely together to ensure that staff are clear on the expectations of their role. Staff receive regular supervision. Staff say they feel fully supported in their roles and enjoy working at the home. This positive morale helps to retain staff and maintain their motivation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have established good working relationships with professionals and family members, who are positive about the communication. Concerns for children have been successfully escalated by leaders when a multi-agency response was needed. Children benefit from knowing that everyone is working together to meet their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are well attended and used as an opportunity to reflect on practice. Staff use these sessions to enhance their knowledge of children’s individual needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2520922 6 The interim manager invites external speakers to discuss key topics. This strengthens processes such as responding to children who misuse drugs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are effective and robust audit and monitoring tools in place to track and review the quality of care for children. The interim manager, along with her deputy manager, use a management oversight tool to oversee staff practice and the day-to- day running of the home. As a result, they have a clear understanding of the strengths and areas for development in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2520922 7

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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: 2520922 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hennessy Living Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rickleton 1B, Bowes Offices, Lambton Park, Chester-le-Street DH3 4AN

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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2520922 9 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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