Children's Home run by Supporting Futures Limited in Liverpool

Inspection report for children’s home: 2729566 1 Registered provider: Supporting Futures Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home, registered to provide care for up to two children. The home’s statement of purpose outlines that staff are able to provide care for children who may be experiencing social and/or emotional issues and/or children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection there were two children living in this home.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a registered manager in post, she has been leading the home since it was registered in July 2023.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: Not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2729566 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a homely and welcoming environment. Staff help children to personalise their bedrooms. Photos and mementos are displayed throughout the communal areas. Staff also make a big effort for special occasions, decorating the house for events, such as Halloween and Christmas. Children's physical environment reflects the nurturing care they receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of after-school activities. Staff get to know children's interests and plan activities they will enjoy. If children don’t want the planned activities, staff make sure that they still spend quality time with children. They offer them choices and are eager to learn about children’s interests. Children have fun and benefit from positive social experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's relationships with their family members and friends are understood and supported. Staff help children to build relationships with people who are important to them. Staff also work hard to help children build positive peer relationships. One relative said, ‘They [staff] have helped us to make happy memories to replace the sad times.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote a culture of respect and tolerance. Children are supported to learn about important social issues related to equality and diversity. However, one child has not been assisted to learn about all aspects of her cultural heritage. This is a missed opportunity to help improve this child’s understanding of their identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children attend school regularly and are making progress from their starting points. Staff communicate well with education to ensure that children are receiving consistent care and support. When children attend school far away from home, staff support them to make the travel as easy as possible. Children are meeting their academic goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's physical health is a priority. Each child has a detailed health plan which provides staff which a useful guide to ensure that children's health needs are being met. Staff use praise and incentives to encourage children to view health care positively. Children are supported to live healthier lifestyles and gain important personal care skills.

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

Leaders and managers have a strong safeguarding ethos in this team. Staff gather detailed background information about children before they move in. This informs detailed risk assessments which provide staff with a practical guide for how to manage identified risks. Staff training in safeguarding is up-to-date and team members know what to do to protect children in a variety of situations. Staff understand children's vulnerabilities and keep them safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2729566 3 Staff understand children’s behaviour. Staff complete a detailed behaviour management plan for each child. This document focuses on the child’s experiences, allowing staff to learn about what children’s behaviour means as well as how to support them. Children experience non-judgemental, nurturing care.

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

Children understand the rules and boundaries. Staff use a consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. Positive behaviour is rewarded and celebrated, and negative consequences are only used as a last resort. Children know what is expected of them.

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

The manager understands the risks associated with the location of the home and keeps this under regular review. This has informed decisions about whether children would be safe to live in this home. Children only come to live in this home when the manager is sure that staff can meet their needs and keep them safe.

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

Adults applying to work in this home are subject to thorough pre-employment checks. This ensures that children are only cared for by safe adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a suitably qualified and experienced manager leading this home. The manager has a clear vision for the type of care she wants this home to provide. The focus on nurturing, trauma-informed has been embedded throughout the service. This approach is helping children make progress in all areas.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Upcoming changes to the management structure of the home have been well planned for and the impact on the children has been minimised. Children’s needs are always a priority.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive good quality, regular supervision. This is child focused and reflective. Leaders and managers use this as a valuable tool for formal oversight of staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff regularly complete useful training. Staff complete mandatory training regarding core safeguarding issues, as well as learning about issues which are specific to the needs of the children living in the home. Staff have the knowledge and skills to provide high quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers develop effective working relationships with other professionals. Information about children’s needs is shared appropriately. Staff advocate well on behalf of the children and aren't afraid to challenge other professionals when necessary. One independent reviewing officer described, ‘The staff are a vital voice for [name of child].’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have good systems in place to monitor all aspects of the home. This has ensured that children are receiving a consistently high-quality care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2729566 4 Team meetings take place regularly and are used as a useful forum to share good practice. This helps the team to learn from each other and provide consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers regularly seek feedback from children. This information informs the plans for how to care for children. This helps children feel listened to and valued. Inspection report for children’s home: 2729566 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should make sure that children are supported to maintain and develop their cultural or religious beliefs. Children who do not already have an understanding of their cultural heritage should be supported to better understand their identity. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 14, paragraph 3.22)

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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: 2729566 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Supporting Futures Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sinclair, 300 St Marys Road, Garston, Liverpool, L19 0NQ

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Inspector

Nicola Shaw, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2729566 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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