Children's Home run by 1st Class Support & Housing Ltd in Thurrock

Inspection report for children’s home: 2636403 1 Registered provider: 1st Class Support and Housing Limited Full inspection 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. It offers care for up to two children aged between 11 and 17 who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2636403 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. Two children have moved on. One had a successful transition back to foster carers, and the other child moved on to a short-term placement. For one child, staff did not have all the relevant information from the placing authority and were unable to meet their needs. Lessons have been learned and admission processes strengthened as a result.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well looked after at this home. Staff have positive interactions with children, who enjoy their company. One child attends a local rugby club and their sporting interests are recognised. Children share their views during regular home meetings and are consulted with regarding meals and activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of strong and secure relationships with children’s families and friends. Communication with children’s family members is strong. One parent said, ‘I met two carers when they brought my child to family time. They were so lovely and have really connected well with my child. My child is happy, so I know they are taking great care of him.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to supporting the children’s education. Strong liaison and communication with education professionals ensure that children’s educational needs are recognised quickly. Plans are put in place to ensure that children can start at a local school. For children without a school place, a creative home-school plan is devised. Liaison between the home, virtual school and external tutors ensures a multi-agency response.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well located close to many amenities. The manager has created a homely and nurturing space for children. Planning permission for a cabin in the garden has been granted which will provide an external office to allow additional room. The manager addressed the removal of old equipment from the garden during the inspection.

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

Highly detailed risk assessments are individualised to ensure that children’s specific risks and vulnerabilities are well understood by the staff team. Good-quality support plans reflect the detailed information obtained from placing authorities.

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

Since the home opened, there has been no use of physical intervention. All staff are trained in physical intervention and de-escalation techniques to ensure that physical intervention is only used as a last resort. Inspection report for children’s home: 2636403 3 Children who go missing from home are supported by a team of staff who understand how to respond. Staff continue to look for children until they are located, whether that is during the day or night. When children return, they are welcomed home and cared for by the staff. This helps children to feel safe and valued.

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

Comprehensive recruitment checks are carried out by the manager and deputy manager, who have been trained in safer recruitment. For workers coming from overseas, checks are equally comprehensive and the manager provides support to help them settle into the country and their new roles.

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

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of child sexual and criminal exploitation and the associated online and social media risks. An assessment of local risks in the vicinity of the home is in place. In addition, the team has developed a positive relationship with the missing persons liaison officer and police. The risk of free time in the local area is assessed alongside the placing authority, and staff remain mindful of the risks present to vulnerable children.

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

On one occasion, a member of staff failed to safeguard a child appropriately when out in the community. They did not seek the necessary guidance from the manager when the situation evolved. As a result, the child could have been at risk of harm. Lessons have been learned and a comprehensive overview of the incident has been discussed with all staff and professionals involved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and holds a qualification at level 5. She has a competent approach to running the home. The manager is supported by a strong and experienced deputy manager. Staff say that they benefit from a consistent leadership team and are positive about the manager. Staff feel supported, valued and respected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have identified areas when the staffing arrangements need to be strengthened and have plans in place to achieve this. As a result, staff feel invested in their roles and supported to progress professionally.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals and other agencies regard the managers as effective and efficient. This is because the managers have developed positive working relationships with other agencies that are involved in supporting the children. The managers work openly and transparently with other professionals to ensure that children receive the right support at the right time. The manager confidently challenges or escalates concerns to ensure that children’s needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Oversight from the manager is strong and is evidenced clearly on the online recording system. Weekly and monthly monitoring and tracking focus on the quality standards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training is good quality and covers a variety of topics, such as positive behaviour support, substance misuse, children’s rights, equality and diversity, and Inspection report for children’s home: 2636403 4 leaving care. A training provider has been identified to ensure that staff undertake their level 3 qualification when they finish their probation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are supported through regular, reflective supervision sessions. One member of staff had additional supervision highlighted as a response to a safeguarding concern. However, this was not provided. As a result, opportunities have been missed to ensure that staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2636403 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, The 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action when there is concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff understand and implement each child’s risk assessment when out in the community. 25 February 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to the additional supervision of staff following an incident. 25 February 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2636403 6

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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 are 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: 2636403 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: 1st Class Support and Housing Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 8 Realgar Court, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 5JZ

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Inspector

Emily Stevens, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2636403 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 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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