Children's Home run by Cherry Care Children’s Home Limited in Bexley

Inspection report for children's home: 2730490 1 Registered provider: Cherry Care Children’s Home Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted on 31 July 2023. This is the home’s first inspection.

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 good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2730490 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection. They receive a high level of care and consistency from a motivated staff team. The home is welcoming, and the child lives in comfortable surroundings. The child has helped to change their bedroom to suit their individual tastes.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made measurable progress since moving into the home. The child enjoys purposeful activities and leisure opportunities that are helping build their confidence and self-esteem. More recently, staff supported the child to attend an award ceremony. This has been a success for the child and promotes their social development and community participation.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has no school placement. The child has benefited from personal tutoring, which has been a success and resulted in the child receiving an achievement award from their local authority’s virtual school. The manager is proactively advocating for the child, with regular liaison with the virtual school and the social work team at the local authority.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Regular key-work sessions are undertaken. Staff encourage the child to reflect on their challenges through solution-focused conversations. Staff clearly define their expectations of the child’s behaviour. This supports the child to take responsibility for their actions and their personal growth.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Information is shared promptly. Staff regularly contribute to the child’s reviews, and they help the child to participate in these meetings.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Monthly meetings provide opportunities for the child to influence their plans and decisions about their care. Staff at the home need to do more to find alternative ways to consult with the child and obtain their views, considering their needs.

p.2

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

Staff know and understand the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. Staff have suitable strategies in place to mitigate these risks. Effective communication about safeguarding issues with the child’s professional networks and external agencies enhances the safety of the child. Detailed care plans and risk assessments, which are appropriately reviewed by the manager, give clear guidance to staff about what they need to do to safeguard the child. This effective safeguarding practice promotes the child’s safety.

p.2

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

This child has been involved in a small number of incidents. When these do occur, an effective response to the incident is overseen by the manager, with involvement of the placing authority where necessary. The home has promptly reviewed and Inspection report for children's home: 2730490 3 amended the child’s risk assessment and behaviour plans following these incidents. This demonstrates a good understanding of current risks and presenting needs, with clear strategies and guidance for staff to follow.

p.2

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

Staff are trained in physical intervention; however, they have not had to use this. There have been no incidents of going missing. Staff are aware of the missing policy and what action to take should this occur.

p.3

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

Staff receive a broad range of safeguarding training. Their learning is supported through reflective journals, regular supervision and team meeting discussions. Staff know how to recognise, report and act on any safeguarding concerns that may arise.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and provides a consistent presence in the home. She is a passionate advocate for the child in her care and makes decisions with the child at the centre. The manager is ambitious and has high expectations of her staff.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a good understanding of safeguarding concerns and responds appropriately to ensure that the child and staff are safeguarded. The manager liaises with others, such as social workers, the local authority designated officer and parents, to promote an open and transparent approach to safeguarding.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A comprehensive staff induction programme and good learning opportunities ensure that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to care for children effectively. The induction programme is monitored by the manager and feedback is provided to staff on their performance. Staff say they are well supported by the manager.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has embedded an effective process of quality assurance. This is achieved in several ways, including audits of records, reviewing staff members’ reflective journals, spending time with the staff, undertaking activities with the child and seeking feedback from professionals.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision and team meetings are used effectively as opportunities to challenge and upskill staff. These take place monthly and involve discussing the child’s needs and staff members’ developmental goals, and checking whether staff have any concerns about the child’s care.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External feedback from professionals about the care provided to the child is positive. Professionals consider the manager and staff to be skilled and knowledgeable. One professional told the inspector that the child had made ‘very positive progress’ since living at the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2730490 4

p.3

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Consideration should be given to the child’s cognitive ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

p.4

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: 2730490 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cherry Care Children’s Home Ltd

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 47 West Bank, London N16 5DF

p.5

Inspectors

Harby Bashir, Social Care Inspector Leanne Grant, Social Care Inspector Manager Inspection report for children's home: 2730490 6 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.5

Inspectors

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.6

Inspectors

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

p.6

Inspectors

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

p.6