Children's home run by Amegreen Children’s Services

Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 1 Registered provider: Amegreen Children’s Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care and support for up to three children. The home caters for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties linked to past trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

There were three children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since May 2022.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/03/2023 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 3

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outstanding

The staff know the children extremely well. They provide a high standard of care which meets the children’s unique needs. Staff ensure that the children experience opportunities and enjoy a wide variety of positive experiences. They strive to maintain a family feel in the home. The children and staff share mealtimes. The children get involved in household tasks, and the staff and children engage in fun activities together.

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outstanding

Committed and skilled staff nurture the children. Their consistent approach helps them to develop secure, trusting relationships with children. Children seek out staff for reassurance and tell them about their worries.

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outstanding

Staff help children to make significant progress. For example, one child who previously struggled to participate in therapy is now engaging well and has developed skills to help them manage their emotions. Another child has learned to be empathetic towards others. Staff also supported a child who struggled with education to move to a school where their needs are better met. The child now enjoys attending school.

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outstanding

Staff enjoy spending time with children and seize opportunities to tactfully explore their wishes and feelings. This includes conversations at mealtimes or while engaging in an activity. Children are encouraged to share their views, and staff listen and act on them. Staff show children that they care. Consequently, children feel valued and know that they are all important members of the household.

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outstanding

Staff share children’s views with other professionals. They are strong advocates for children and champion their rights. When concerned about one child’s reluctance to engage with education, staff worked closely with others to explore the potential reasons for this, and developed a plan. The staff consistently ensure that decisions are made with children’s best interests in mind.

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outstanding

There is great focus from staff on providing children with new and enjoyable opportunities and experiences. Children have enjoyed trips to the seaside and local parks. One child with a keen interest in horses regularly spends time at a local stables. Children are supported to form new positive friendships outside of school with other children who live locally. Children enjoy meaningful, enriching experiences that create fond memories.

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outstanding

Staff place strong emphasis on working in partnership with education, health and social care professionals and therapists. This ensures that children are extremely well supported and continue to thrive. The manager and staff are well respected by other social care professionals, who speak highly of the quality of care that children receive and the exceptional progress that they make. Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 4 Staff encourage children to think positively about difference. This approach is promoted by a diverse staff team, who model positive behaviour. Children are creatively introduced to, and educated about, the diverse world around them. For example, staff recently introduced a culture box which is delivered to the home each month. This provides children with facts about (and snacks and drinks from) different cultures and countries.

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outstanding

Staff speak fondly about children and genuinely care for them. They are aware of the effect of trauma and understand how children’s past experiences influence their behaviour and understanding of the world. Staff hold this in mind and care for the children sensitively, including when faced with behaviours that challenge them. They consistently seek to understand the messages that children convey through their behaviours.

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outstanding

Staff tactfully instil and reinforce consistent boundaries. They support children to understand their own feelings and how these influence their behaviours. Staff are non-judgemental and provide reassurance to children. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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outstanding

Children’s needs and vulnerabilities are well understood by staff. Staff also receive helpful insights and guidance from therapeutic support services. Consequently, staff have the skills that they need to sensitively support children when incidents occur. Staff are patient and skilfully use techniques individualised to each child to de- escalate situations.

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outstanding

Staff physically intervene during incidents only when needed to ensure the safety of children and/or others. The manager insists on transparency when physical intervention is used. Clear records are kept of any intervention. The manager reviews these to ensure that the use of the intervention is appropriate and in line with the home’s ethos. The manager and staff reflect on incidents and explore any lessons that can be learned. Staff talk with the children about these incidents to explore their feelings and help them to think about more positive ways to express themselves. Social care professionals say that staff manage challenging situations very well.

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outstanding

Children do not go missing and say that they are happy living in the home. However, staff know what action they should take if a child were to go missing. Staff are confident about how to report any concerns relating to children’s welfare and know how to escalate concerns if needed.

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outstanding

Great care is taken to ensure that children are cared for by suitable staff. Pre- employment checks for staff are meticulous. Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 5 The building is maintained to a high standard. Effective regular safety checks ensure the ongoing safety of children and others in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by a senior management team who are ambitious for children and support them to achieve great outcomes. The manager’s vision is shared with, and supported by, staff and other senior managers. The strong leadership team inspires a motivated, dedicated staff team that offers excellent levels of support to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is supportive and works closely with staff. She models excellent practice and ensures that staff follow her lead. The manager is well supported by an operations manager and the responsible individual. Leaders are reflective and constantly seek to develop further.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel very well supported. Managers value staff and demonstrate strong leadership. The manager ensures that staff have access to training relevant to their practice. They are further supported through regular supervisions, team meetings and critical reflection groups led by a therapist. These sessions guide staff to reflect on their practice and adapt to children’s changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff work closely with all professionals involved in children’s lives. When the quality of other professionals’ practice falls short, the manager challenges appropriately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has implemented different ways to encourage children’s participation. This has ensured an embedded culture where children’s views are valued.

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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: 2689713 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amegreen Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Corner House, West End Road, Mortimer, Berkshire RG7 3TF

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Patrycja Soroczynska

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Inspectors

Sasha Reid, Social Care Inspector Emma Haskell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2689713 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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