Children's home run by EJ Childcare Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2638781 1 Registered provider: EJ Childcare Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private organisation. It provides care for one child who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted registered this home in August 2022 and the manager also registered at this time.

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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: 20 February 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good Inspection report for children’s home: 2638781 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2638781 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child said that they feel loved and trust the staff who care for them. One child who has now left the home and remains in contact with the manager and staff said: ‘It was fantastic! The staff really care and were loving. They did the best they could, and I loved it.’ This helps children feel a sense of belonging beyond their time living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff listen and respond to the child’s views, wishes and feelings. The manager writes letters to the child to engage and inform them about what has been done. The manager and staff take time to help the child understand the reasons why decisions may not go as they want. This approach involves the child and helps them understand and feel in control of their own life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been inspired and motivated to re-engage with full-time education. The staff have designed enjoyable and engaging educational activities inside and outside of the home. This approach has ensured that one child previously engaged in education five days per week while applications were being considered. The child is now in full-time education and enjoying their school experience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives a therapeutic response from staff who know them and understand their needs. The staff are trained to understand the complexities of the child in their care. They discuss the individual child and how to support them with a clinical psychologist at fortnightly consultations. This ensures that regular, up-to-date knowledge is shared and plans are updated with current information.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives praise and recognition for their achievements. The child has had their art published in an advertising campaign for mental health. The child has also had their poem published in a book which celebrates children with care experience. This promotes a sense of achievement for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child feels isolated from the opportunity to have friends. Most daily activities involve the staff rather than children of a similar age and need. This reduces their ability to make friends and learn age-appropriate social skills.

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

Staff recognise and understand the risks associated with the child and how to keep them safe. Staff undertake specific training and gain feedback from the psychologist, who conveys how the child sees their life at the home. This insight allows for tailored planning and responses. Internet activity is monitored along with incentives for positive engagement and interventions to raise the child’s understanding.

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

The child is taught to keep themselves safe. The staff work with the child to help them understand and develop age-appropriate behaviour safely. The manager and Inspection report for children’s home: 2638781 4 staff work collaboratively with social workers, teaching staff and family members to reinforce the child’s engagement. This ensures a joined-up approach to supporting the child.

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

The child is encouraged and supported to manage their own behaviour. The structure and expectations of the home are discussed regularly between the staff and the manager in daily conversations and monthly meetings. Although there have been serious violent behaviours from one child previously, the staff persevered and were able to de-escalate the situation.

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

The complaints procedure was not explained effectively to the child on arrival at the home. They did not have the children’s guide explained to them in a manner that the child understood. As a result, the child was unsure of what to do or who to contact in the home if they were unhappy about something. The child may feel unable to voice their concerns if they do not understand the complaints procedure or have access to an advocate.

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

Staff are unfamiliar with the missing-from-care and safeguarding procedures. The staff members spoken to gave differing accounts of procedural protocols if a child was harmed or went missing while in their care. The lack of clarity with regard to procedures could place children at an increased risk of harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s ethos and model of care are embedded into practice. Consultations with clinical professionals broaden the knowledge base of the staff. As a result, children’s plans involve regular therapeutic input and review. Reflective discussion to encourage learning takes place, and strategies are implemented by the staff that meet the needs of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child is now enjoying full-time education. The manager took effective action when the transition timetable was not in the best interest of the child. The slowing down of the plan helped the child reduce their anxiety and progress in their attendance. This was possible because the manager knew the child well and responded to their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff respond appropriately to the child. Leaders and managers facilitate monthly meetings with a psychologist. At these meetings, knowledge is disseminated and training related to the current needs of the child takes place. This broadens the knowledge base of the staff team and helps embed the model of practice into the culture of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training and professional development are effective and meet the needs of the child. Collaborative working with education and social care professionals is a strength of the home which helps maintain consistency for the team and children living there. This ensures that the child receives a consistent response from professionals and those who provide care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638781 5 Child case records and plans are recorded with understanding and warmth. Incident reports and discussions address the child’s needs throughout. This makes the experience for the child in reading their records much more positive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Two children have previously witnessed a long-running issue between the neighbour and the home. Complaints have been received but not responded to in line with the home’s policy. The information was not made available as part of the usual inspection activity. The lack of appropriate recording meant complaints were not subject to appropriate scrutiny and review from Ofsted and independent visitors as part of the regulation 44 process. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638781 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the staff need to be familiar with the missing- from-home procedures outlined in the child’s care plannd the home’s safeguarding policy. 29 November

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must ensure that an explanation is given to each child as soon as reasonably practicable after the child’s arrival about— 29 November Inspection report for children’s home: 2638781 7 how to make a complaint or representations in relation to the home or the care the child receives and how any such complaint or representations will be dealt with. (Regulation 7 (2)(d)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager should ensure that all children understand the complaints procedure, having regard to each child’s individual needs.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI, at HMCI’s request, a statement containing a summary of any complaints made during the preceding twelve months and the action that was taken in response to each complaint. (Regulation 39 (3)(5)) 29 November

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are supported to understand how to build friendships with other children. They should be able to spend time with their friends in the local community, in their home area, and by having friends visit them at the home, in line with the child’s plans, age and understanding. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 38, paragraph 8.7) In particular, children should be supported to attend organised activities and social groups with children of a similar age and needs.

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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: 2638781 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: EJ Childcare Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: , Foxhaven, Easington Road, Hartlepool TS24 9RE

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Inspector

Lee Riley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2638781 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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