Children's Home run by Inspirations Leicestershire Limited in Leicestershire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC486398 1 SC486398

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Registered provider: Inspirations Leicestershire Limited

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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 provider. The home provides care for up to four children with emotional and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a registered manager leading the home.

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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 these inspections, the inspector 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: SC486398 2

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Findings 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

Children receive a very good standard of care. Children are settled and they have developed trusting relationships with the managers and staff. Children are happy. They like the staff who care for them and are relaxed in their company.

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Findings from the inspection

Children make good progress in education. Staff support children to attend education at local schools. Children who have had long periods out of education are now attending and making progress. Staff are positive about education, and they work very closely with education professionals. The communication between the staff and education professionals is good. This ensures that children receive consistent support to enable them to learn and make progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are given the appropriate support to enable them to express and share their emotions. For example, one child who is not confident in their communication was provided with pictures to support staff to understand their needs . This has allowed the child to explain how they are feeling and for staff to provide support.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children to share their views in regard to their home. Children and staff have written positive comments directed at children and staff. Comments are placed on a decorative tree that is in the communal area.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have not made any formal complaints. However, children have shared some concerns with staff, but staff do not always acknowledge these concerns. For example, one child expressed a concern, which was not escalated to a complaint as it should have been. As a result, children may not always feel safe and well cared for.

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Findings from the inspection

Children and staff have good relationships. Children present as relaxed and comfortable in the presence of staff. This contributes to children feeling safe and cared for.

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Findings from the inspection

When required, children are helped to manage harmful behaviours, and this can include the support of specialist, external professionals as appropriate. The manager is a good advocate for the children and ensures that there is a multi-agency approach to support the children to help them to make progress with this behaviour and feel safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have identified that staff require additional support to understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. There are plans for staff to attend refresher training to ensure that all staff can meet the children’s needs. This will ensure that staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. As a result, any Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC486398 3 potential hazards or risks in the home and community are anticipated, and action is taken to ensure the safety of children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff do not always support children to understand risk. One child was restricted from having access to their mobile phone due to a historic risk, and the reason for restricting another child’s mobile phone use was unclear. As a result, staff’s management of risk was inconsistent and confusing for the children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is relatively new. She has a clear vision for the home and children are at the heart of this plan. The manager has ensured that good progress has been made since the last full inspection. She is reflective of practice, thoughtful and seeks to improve practice. The responsible individual has identified systems to further assist the manager in their monitoring of the home’s operation.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been challenges in appointing to current staff vacancies. However, staff retention is now much better. Staff feel well supported, and regular supervision and team meetings ensure that they are supported in their roles. New staff benefit from a thorough induction process, which helps them to get to know the children and understand their role. This results in a warm and inviting home environment where children flourish.

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Findings from the inspection

Working collaboratively with external partner agencies is a real strength in this home. This approach promotes the full involvement of the professional network around the child. There is very good daily communication between the care staff, school staff, and other professionals. This means that approaches to care are well coordinated. Feedback from social workers who have placed children at the home is positive. One social worker said, ‘Children in this home are safe.’

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Findings from the inspection

There are some weaknesses in the manager’s monitoring and oversight of risks. There is a lack of rigour with internal monitoring systems. This has prevented staff from understanding children’s risks and improving their practice, which could better support children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC486398 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/07/2022 Full Good 09/06/2021 Full Good 25/02/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC486398 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

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This refers to ensuring that incident records are clear, detailed and demonstrate management oversight, reflection, and learning. This is also in relation to the lack of clarity in care plans and risk assessments and staff skill and confidence in challenging and dealing with risks to children. 16 February 2024

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Recommendations

 Staff should encourage children to share any concerns about their care or other matters as soon as they arise. Children must be able to take up issues or make a complaint with support and without fear that this will result in any adverse consequences. Regulation 39 sets out the requirements on the registered person to have a complaints procedure. Children must be aware of this procedure and be reminded of it as necessary. (Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards Page 22 4,13) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC486398 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspirations Leicestershire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 131a London Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5DP

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Inspector

Corline Parker, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC486398 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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