Children's home run by Total Care Matters Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2532661 1 Registered provider: Total Care Matters Limited Full inspection 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 an independent provider. It is registered with Ofsted to provide care for up to three children who may require support with their social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home at the time of 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

Date of last inspection: 27 September 2022

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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: 2532661 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/11/2021 Full Outstanding 06/02/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: 2532661 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, the child currently living in the home has continued to make good progress in all areas of his development. Trusting relationships with staff have helped reduce his anxieties about being in care. The child speaks of positive experiences at his home and says he is happy here.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s individual needs are well understood. Specialist support has been accessed to ensure that his emotional and psychological needs can be met. Staff have been upskilled through additional training to meet the child’s specific health needs. Partnership working is a strength of the home and ensures the child’s needs are met by all professionals across the multidisciplinary team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Before moving to this home, the child had been absent from education for a long period. He now has a full timetable and excellent attendance. Staff have contributed to a thorough review of his education and health plan, meaning the right alternative provision has been found. Some early success is evident, with education professionals speaking highly of the child’s care team. One tutor said, ‘In my 19 years’ experience, this is probably the best care home I have worked with.’ The child is now on track to take GCSE exams, which is significant progress from his starting point.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s family relationships are important to him. Staff respect this and offer support wherever needed to nurture these relationships. Long distances are not a barrier to spending time with family members.

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

The child feels safe. They have trust in the adults that they will be protected from harm. Incidents of concern, or behaviour that challenges, have reduced over time. When incidents have occurred, managers and staff have shared information appropriately with relevant professionals to keep the child safe.

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

Staff understand how to keep the child safe online. When a concern arises, they communicate effectively and swiftly with the relevant safeguarding partners. They take action to ensure the immediate safety of the child, while helping the child to understand why this is necessary.

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

Staff understand risks associated with offending, misusing drugs or alcohol, self- harming or children going missing from the home. A wide-ranging training programme ensures that all such safeguarding topics are covered well for staff.

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

Managers recognise that all staff require further guidance and training in recording risk effectively. A process is under way to ensure that risk assessments are current and an accurate reflection of children’s progress. Inspection report for children's home: 2532661 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been no registered manager at the home since July 2023. A new manager has been in post since October 2023. Senior leaders provided managerial oversight and support to the staff team during the interim period. This ensured that the home continued to operate effectively with very little impact on the child who lives here.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has applied to register with Ofsted. He is working towards the required leadership qualification and has previous experience of being a registered manager. He has spent time working as an independent visitor, which he feels enhances this role. Since starting at the home, he has worked hard to drive improvements and he is well respected by the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Outcomes for children and the progress they make are enhanced by strong partnership working. There is an emphasis on seeking feedback from health and education partners to drive continuous improvements in the home. The manager uses such feedback effectively to identify strengths and areas for improvement. During this inspection, the manager took immediate action to begin rectifying any areas of shortfall.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team morale is high. There is evidence of ambition and positivity throughout the staff team. Staff described a workplace which is a pleasure to be a part of. Some staff who have previously left this home have returned, which is testament to the culture created. Inspection report for children's home: 2532661 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, 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 that staff —

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that all staff recognise, assess and record risks to children in a risk assessment format that is effective. 31 January 2024

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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: 2532661 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Total Care Matters Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 230 Bathley Street, The Meadows, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG2 2ER

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Inspector

Rachael Sprigg, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2532661 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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