Children's Home run by Homes for Support in Cheshire East

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 1 Registered provider: Homes for Support Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since March 2023. The acting manager applied for registration but withdrew her application following her fit person interview. At the time of the inspection, she had not reapplied for registration, but was acting as manager.

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Inspection date: 1 November 2023

Date of last inspection: 5 September 2023

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Inspection date: 1 November 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 1 November 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 2

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Outcome from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home. One child has lived at the home for some time and is very settled. He said that he likes living at the home and was observed to enjoy comfortable relationships with staff and the acting manager.

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Findings from the inspection

The other child has recently moved into the home. The acting manager liaised very effectively with professionals involved in the child’s life, leading to the creation of an excellent moving-in plan. This meant that the child was given time and opportunity to get to know staff, children and the surroundings. This child is starting to settle in and become familiar with routines and what is expected of him.

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Findings from the inspection

Both children are supported to attend education. One child has recently started a relevant course at a local college following a long period of disengagement with any form of education. He is making good progress and recently received an award for his efforts and attendance, which is a reflection on the good support provided by the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Care planning arrangements are clear, and children are happy with their day-to-day arrangements. One complaint has been received, and it was dealt with appropriately.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the staff have not used any form of restraint or needed to impose consequences. On two occasions, the children have been away from the home without the permission of staff. On one occasion, this led to police involvement, and the child was able to discuss this episode through a return home interview with an appropriate person. The acting manager understands the reasons behind both episodes, and this has led to some changes in practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is not registered with Ofsted. She is supported in her role by the responsible individual, who visits regularly, and a deputy manager from another home on a part-time basis. She is currently completing a level 5 diploma.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff team have recently come together following a restructure. The team is made up of staff from other homes owned by the provider and some staff new to the company. The staff are starting to work together effectively but require strong leadership and direction to ensure that they carry out all the tasks as required by the acting manager. None of the staff have a relevant qualification, but some are close to completion, following some difficultly with the training provider that was encountered by the provider. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 3 The acting manager has submitted a review of the quality of care provided at the home. The report indicates that she consulted with a range of people and children in drawing the report together. However, the report contains over 35 actions for the acting manager to complete in the next 6 months, which is an ambitious plan. The report does not set out how the actions are to be met, by when and how success

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Findings from the inspection

will be measured. If these measures were included in the report, it would help the acting manager target her resources and time more effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/09/2022 Full Good 19/01/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 5

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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, 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 registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the acting manager applies to register with Ofsted without delay. 1 December 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the review of quality of care enables them to identify areas of strength and possible weakness in the home’s care, which will be captured in the written report. The report should clearly identify any actions required for the next 6 months of delivery within the home and how those actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes for Support Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Northern House, 3 Kennerleys Lane, Wilmslow SK9 5EQ

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Inspector

Helen Humphreys, HMI Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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