Children's home run by Country Care Children’s Homes Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2590408 1 Registered provider: Country Care Childrens Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is owned by a private company. The home provides care for up to three children who have experienced trauma that has left them with emotional difficulties and associated challenging behaviours.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2020 and holds a level 5 qualification.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspections, the inspectors 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: 2590408 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

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home and one child has moved into the home. These moves were carefully planned, and children were included in their own care planning arrangements. For the child moving into the home, they were given the opportunity to visit and meet staff before moving in. This reassurance has helped the child to settle well in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff prioritise the time that children spend with their friends and families. For example, staff support children to spend time with their friends both inside the home and in the community. In addition, staff ensure that children enjoy positive time with their families. One child has been supported to re-connect with their mother since the last inspection. This support helps children to stay connected with those people who are important in their lives.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff take into account and promote children’s views very well. Children have input into aspects of their care and take part in their care planning process. Also, children are included in the decision-making about the day-to-day running of the home. This ensures that children feel safe and secure. One child said, ‘I like the home, I feel safe, it's very secure.’ Another said that they ‘feel safe’ and are happy that ‘their friends come to the home.’

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Findings from the inspection

Children feel safe in the home. Staff adopt a therapeutic approach to manage children’s anxieties effectively. This allows children the opportunities to manage their emotions and express themselves in a safe environment. As a result, there are rarely significant incidents with children. However, staff and leaders do not always assess children’s risks well. For example, on one occasion, staff did not intervene or act on advice provided by the home’s deputy manager to take action to support a child in distress. On another occasion, the deputy manager failed to adhere to a risk assessment in place for a child. Failing to assess risk effectively has the potential to compromise children’s safety.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and leaders respond effectively when children make allegations against staff. The management team works with the local authority designated officer to share important information and seek advice and guidance. Internal investigations are completed in a timely manner and the registered manager always speaks to children to ensure that their views and wishes are obtained. These actions reassure children that they are listened to and supports their well-being. However, the registered Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2590408 3 manager does not always carefully record the action she has taken or conversations she has held to support her safeguarding decision-making for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The management team’s oversight and monitoring of the home is improving. For example, the registered manager has implemented a monthly auditing tool that enables her to maintain effective oversight of the service. These systems help to improve the quality of care for children. However, the registered manager has not submitted an up-to-date copy of the home’s statement of purpose to Ofsted. As a result, this has the potential to reduce Ofsted’s oversight and knowledge of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has ensured that all the requirements made at the last inspection have been addressed. This has led to an improvement in the home’s safeguarding and safer recruitment processes. In addition, support systems for staff have been used to develop their practice and staff are now receiving regular supervision. These improvements reassure Ofsted that leaders can take action to make the home better for children. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2590408 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/06/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2590408 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 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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager should ensure that staff assess children's risks effectively and take action to reduce risks to children. 15 January 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home's policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home's 'statement of purpose' is reviewed and updated when there have been changes to the staff team and care provided in the home. The home's 'statement of purpose' should be child-focused, indicating how the home provides individualised care to meet the quality standards for the children in their care and be shared with HMCI within 28 days of the revision. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 14, paragraph 3.5) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2590408 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Country Care Childrens Homes Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: The Meadows, Beech Lane, Dove Holes, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 8DJ

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Inspectors

Dean Wilton, Social Care Inspector Jas Nahar, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2590408 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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