Children's home run by Orchard Children Homes Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2688690 1 Registered provider: Orchard Children 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 privately run children’s home provides care for up to four children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left in August 2023. A new manager has been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Inspection date: 23 January 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 23 January 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, 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. The inspector has 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: 2688690 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

There have been changes in the staff team since the last inspection. However, the children say that they have positive relationships with staff and the manager and feel settled.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have made significant progress since the previous inspection. One child, who was socially withdrawn and had poor experiences of education, is now attending and participating at school. They have made friends with peers and invite friends to the home. Education staff and care staff are supporting this child to develop their interests and to catch up in the curriculum.

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Findings from the inspection

One child is being supported to develop life skills and to use the skills that they are learning in their training, such as woodwork. This child has responded well to developing interests and participating in activities. These have included fishing and ice skating. This has enhanced their confidence and self-esteem.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have proactively responded to children’s health needs and have developed and supported children’s awareness of preventative health measures. One child has ceased smoking cigarettes and is reducing their use of electronic vapes. They are proud of their achievement.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s routines are much improved. Staff use a nurturing approach to encourage good sleep patterns and a healthy diet. Developing healthy habits and routines is reinforced by incentives. The manager believes that ‘spontaneous rewards’ are effective. One child told their social worker, ‘I got a present for being me.’

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have supported the children to develop positive relationships and repair relationships that they have had difficulties with. This means that the children are experiencing healthy relationships with family and friends outside of the home. This enhances their resilience and independence.

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Findings from the inspection

Social workers say that the children are settled, are experiencing positive relationships and are making progress.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been limited safeguarding concerns. There have been no incidents of the use of physical restraints. Staff use a trauma-informed approach and de-escalation and distraction effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the children’s needs, vulnerabilities, histories and risks well. They work well with each child’s multi-agency team and the clinical psychologist commissioned to advise the home. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2688690 3 Children’s risk and behaviour management plans include advice for staff on what helps in responding to each child’s needs. The manager reviews all incidents of concern and the individual work carried out with the children and plans the priorities for interventions and work for the following month. This means that staff are carrying out purposeful, planned work with the children to support progress and manage and reduce concerns. The requirement regarding the team’s response to and management of risks for children has been met.

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Findings from the inspection

For one child, the incidents of low mood and self-harm behaviour have significantly reduced. The child is working well with specialist services, has enhanced self-esteem and appears more resilient.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a reduction in incidents of children going missing from home. When there has been an incident, staff have followed procedures and reported to and liaised with the relevant agencies. Staff seek children’s views, and the local authority has carried out return home interviews. The manager has ensured that staff have the opportunity to reflect on incidents and consider lessons learned.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been one allegation referred to the local authority designated officer. This was assessed as not meeting the threshold, and internal fact-finding and disciplinary measures have been robustly followed.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has been working well with a voluntary agency that helps to educate children on the impact of substance misuse. As a result, there have been no recent incidents of concern, and assessed risks of substance misuse have significantly reduced.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have received training in trauma-informed practice and in understanding and meeting the specific needs of the children. This means that staff respond consistently and effectively to children’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a change of manager at the home. There is a committed, enthusiastic manager in post. He is implementing a training plan to develop staff’s skills and knowledge.

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Findings from the inspection

Good, effective internal and external monitoring of the quality of care is carried out. The manager responds to the detailed report from the independent person.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager’s plans for the home are aspirational. He knows the areas of practice that need developing and strengthening. The requirement regarding the monitoring of the quality of care has been met.

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Findings from the inspection

There is good evidence of continuous assessment of children’s needs and effective collaborative multi-agency working that results in positive change for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager proactively seeks feedback from children, families and professionals about the quality of care. He ensures that children are consulted with and contribute Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2688690 4 to their plans and decisions about their daily care. Both children are very positive about the manager and the staff team and feel listened to. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2688690 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2688690 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should actively encourage children to read their records and to add further information to them. Children should be regularly reminded of their rights to see information kept about them. This is in particular reference to involving children in their risk and behaviour management plans so that they understand why adults are worried about some behaviours. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.6) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2688690 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Orchard Children Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, 118 Calais Road, Burton-on-Trent DE13 0UW

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Inspector

Cathey Moriarty, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2688690 8 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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