Children's Home run by Delam Care Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC064027 1 SC064027 Registered provider: Delam Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a private organisation. Staff provide care for up to four children who have a diagnosed learning disability.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2021. She holds a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Residential Care.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC064027 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2023 Full Good 02/09/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Full Outstanding 15/01/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC064027 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with the adults who care for them. Staff understand each child’s preferred communication styles, and they use this understanding to communicate with each child in a bespoke way. This helps children to express their views and choices and ensures their needs are met in a consistent way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are fond of the children and speak highly of the children they support. One staff member told the inspector, ‘I feel the children are the best thing here. There is nothing better than making them know they are safe, well and definitely cared for.’ Children feel part of a family environment due to a conscientious approach by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to make progress with their education. Staff at the home work in partnership with educational professionals to continuously develop their ways of communicating with children to ensure that children’s needs are understood and met. Managers challenge as needed to ensure that children have the necessary educational resources. Consequently, children achieve their educational goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a range of memorable experiences. For example, one child enjoyed a prom-themed birthday party. Children take part in regular activities and holidays in the community. As a result, children are helped to create lifelong memories and feel valued by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are prioritised. Staff support children to attend routine appointments and take part in their annual health reviews. Children are also helped to keep up to date with their vaccinations.

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

Positive relationships between the children and staff help children to feel safe and secure. Consequently, incidents are rare, and there have been no missing-from- home episodes, complaints or allegations.

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

There have been some situations where children have needed to be held by staff for their safety. When this has happened, staff have managed it safely and in the child’s best interests. Staff follow children’s risk assessments, which are individualised, detailed and clear. When a child has been held, they have the opportunity to discuss what has happened and share their views and feelings.

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

Work relating to internet safety is positive. Children are educated by staff on the importance of keeping themselves safe when using the internet. Direct-work sessions about body safety and appropriate images have enabled children to be more aware of the risks. Consequently, their safety has improved. Inspection report for children’s home: SC064027 4 The recruitment of staff is safely carried out. Staff are carefully selected to ensure that they are the best fit for the role. This helps to ensure that staff are safe to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has not been in of the home since July 2023. The deputy manager is managing the home in the absence of the registered manager. The deputy manager is experienced and committed to maintaining consistency in the home for staff and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A clear focus on staff development and progression means that staff set and achieve goals to help them be more effective in their roles. Each staff member has a personal development plan that supports their journey. Staff benefit from regular supervision. As a result, staff say they are supported by managers and that they are well equipped to work with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have monitoring systems that are used effectively to help them understand what is working well and what needs to be improved. This includes weekly and monthly checks of matters relating to the children’s care and health and safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to a bespoke programme of training to help them develop and consolidate their skills and understanding. Managers prompt staff to keep up to date with their training. As a result, the knowledge of staff stays current, and they are more equipped to provide support for the children in their care. Inspection report for children’s home: SC064027 5

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: SC064027 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Metropolitan House, 5th Floor, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC064027 7 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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