Children's home run by Consistent Quality Support Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2601137 1 Registered provider: Consistent Quality Support Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to two children who experience social and/or emotional difficulties or have learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home and one child has moved in. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2601137 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2022 Full Good 24/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2601137 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to invite their friends to visit the home to experience enjoyable activities. This further builds on the strong relationships between staff and children. When talking about her home life, one child jokingly described it as ‘95% fabulous, 5% rebellious’, which captures the humour of the home. The home is decorated in a style that children enjoy.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals who work with the children commend the support of staff. One professional commented that a child is ‘flourishing’ while discussing the child’s improved presentation and understanding of social situations. Staff work with children at the child’s pace. This creates a sense of safety and trust for the child.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to try new activities. When a child finds a passion for an activity, staff support them to attend regularly. One child has been able to build her confidence through weekly horse-riding lessons. Children are supported to join local groups, which builds on their sense of community belonging.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children play an active role in their care planning. Staff support children to attend professional meetings about them. Staff ensure that the child understands what is being discussed and what options they have. If staff at the home do not agree with decisions made, they advocate strongly on behalf of the child. This advocacy has led to a significant increase in a child’s education timetable.

p.3

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

Physical restraint is only used as a last resort to keep children safe. Staff talk to children following physical restraints to ensure their well-being. This often includes a hug if the child wishes. The manager has effective oversight of records of restraints to monitor their effectiveness.

p.3

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

At times, children will tell the staff if they have brought a sharp object into the home with the intention to harm themselves. Staff remove the items and ensure that the child receives all the necessary support. When children’s whereabouts are not known, staff notify outside agencies and actively look for them in the community. After such incidents, staff talk to the children in a nurturing and non-blaming manner to understand and to meet their needs.

p.3

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

All allegations made against staff are handled quickly and effectively. External agencies are contacted in a timely manner and investigations are carried out without delay. Children are made aware of the outcome and their views are sought. If appropriate, staff and children are supported to rebuild relationships in enjoyable and innovative ways. On one occasion, this included inviting staff and the child’s friends to the home to learn about a staff member’s culture. Inspection report for children’s home: 2601137 4 On one occasion safer recruitment was not followed appropriately. One member of staff does not have a reference from their last employer. This means that previous work-related concerns may not be identified. Character references are obtained. However, these are not from an objective source. Although this happened on this occasion, other staff are safely recruited.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The child currently living in the home runs to the manager with a hug to greet them. This shows the level of care given from the manager to the children who live at the home. For a child who has recently moved out of the home, the manager continues communication through telephone calls and care packages. This supports children to know that they continue to be cared for after moving on from the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is qualified and experienced. She is ambitious for the children and her attitude is inspiring for the staff team. The enthusiasm of the team is shown through every piece of work. Although the responsible individual has left, this was a planned change, and the home has been supported throughout. The manager has kept Ofsted updated throughout.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has clear oversight of the home and the care provided to children. She is actively raising areas for improvement and works with her team of staff to ensure that they provide consistent care to the child. One staff member has not yet attained their residential childcare diploma at level 3. This is despite working at the home for a considerable time. The manager has set a clear action plan for this and reviews it regularly.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff and external agencies speak highly of the manager. Staff feel supported to the highest level and feel that the team has recently come together. There is consistent staff training and induction and staff feel able to ask for extra training if it is considered to be beneficial for the child. Staff have access to monthly clinical supervision with a qualified educational psychologist. This supports the improvement of care provided through guided practice reflection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2601137 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.5

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home;

p.5

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1)(a)(b) (3)(d)

p.5

Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that references are obtained from new members of staff’s most recent employer. 28 December

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff in a care role have the qualification in regulation 32(4) within the relevant time frame listed in 32(5). (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.12)

p.5

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: 2601137 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Consistent Quality Support Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit C1, Mill 1, The Business Park, Pleasley Vale, Mansfield NG19 8RL

p.6

Inspector

Ellen Monk, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2601137 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7