Children's home run by Ubuntu Group Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2650948 1 Registered provider: Ubuntu Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home is registered to provide care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The previous manager moved to another of the company’s homes in October 2023. The new manager started working at the home in August 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2650948 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2650948 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend school and are making positive progress. One child sat their GCSE exams and is now at sixth form college working towards A-level qualifications. Staff are supporting them to achieve their goal of going to university. Staff promote education and support the children to fulfil their ambitions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from a family member and professionals is positive. One parent praised the home and said, ‘My child is happy there and as a parent I could not ask for anything better.’ A social worker said, ‘The staff are good at advocating for children and provide a consistent approach.’ An independent reviewing officer said, ‘The staff promote and support family contact and encourage [name of child] to develop their self-care skills.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have fun and enjoy a range of activities. They have been on a holiday to London and enjoy spending time with their friends, at theme parks and at the youth club and a games club. As a result, children are having experiences they have not had before and are developing friendships outside of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated in a modern and homely way. There are photos of the children throughout the home. Children said that they like their bedrooms and that they have been able to personalise their own spaces. One child told staff that they had wanted to paint their own room, which they were supported to do. As a result, children make positive contributions to the home and feel that they belong.

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

Since the last inspection, there have been no missing-from-care incidents and children have not raised any complaints.

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

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff are proactive in ensuring children are helped and protected. They know the children well, including their risks, triggers and behaviours. Staff understand the actions they need to take to meet children’s needs and keep them safe.

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

There have been four physical interventions since the last inspection. Intervention is only used as a last resort. Staff know the children well and implement consistent boundaries. This has meant that the need to use physical intervention has reduced.

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

Children say they feel safe in the home and with the staff team. One child’s bedtime routine has improved due to the reassurance from the staff team. Children trust and feel secure with the staff who are caring for them. Inspection report for children's home: 2650948 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Both the current and previous manager are child-focused and ambitious for the futures of the children in their care. They are both aware of the strengths of the home and the areas for development. The new manager has plans in place to continue to improve the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works in partnership with other professionals. A social worker said that the manager’s communication between social services and education is good. They said the transition to the new manager has been smooth, which has limited the impact on the children. An independent reviewing officer said that the manager keeps professionals up to date. This partnership approach means that children and staff value the range of support and guidance provided by other professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The monitoring systems in place are effective. There is oversight of all aspects of care and the day-to-day running of the home. These systems have supported the managers to identify any concerns and ensure good standards of care are maintained for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is now a full and consistent staff team in place. Staff spoken to say they enjoy working at the home and they feel that the management team is approachable. Staff like the encouragement from managers for them to progress and continue their professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose has not been updated to reflect the qualifications and previous experiences of a staff member commissioned to provide therapeutic support in the home. This does not give placing authorities, Ofsted or children up- to-date information about the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2650948 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the following elements should be included in the Statement of Purpose: (in accordance with Schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20)) the experience and qualifications of staff, including staff that are commissioned by the home to provide support. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 53, paragraph 10.10)

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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: 2650948 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ubuntu Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 4, Kingsland House, Stafford Park 1, Telford, Shropshire TF3 3BD

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Inspector

Jade Bradburn, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2650948 7 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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