Children's home run by Halliwell Homes Limited in Staffordshire Moorlands

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 1 SC008488

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Registered provider: Halliwell Homes 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 privately owned and is registered to provide care for up to eight children who may experience a range of social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, five children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 10 October 2023

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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: SC008488 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

One child has moved in to the home and two children have moved out. Staff and the manager have supported children to move out and prepared them for their new homes. When children move in to the home, their needs are carefully assessed. This ensures that they fit in well with the other children.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment has improved, with changes in décor. The home looks like a family home and is comfortable. The children can play in a large games room and garden. Each child has a personalised room in which they display family photos and other items that are individual to them. This helps the children to feel at home.

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Findings from the inspection

All the children attend school full time. Two of them are now attending mainstream school, and there is a plan for a third child to start mainstream school soon. There are clear lines of communication between schools and staff, and any issues that arise are quickly resolved.

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Findings from the inspection

Each child has planned activities on most days. Staff offer a variety of fun activities outside of the home, such as football, swimming and going to the park. There are also fun activities in the home. Children can play with a large range of games, bake with staff, and have access to computer equipment. Children have lots of opportunities to try new things and have fun.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents in the home have reduced. One child who had previously had many incidents has not had an incident for over two months. Behaviour is managed well, and children are settled.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding incidents are managed appropriately, and the manager has good links with partner agencies, such as the local authority designated officer, the police, and the local authority. This ensures that children are kept safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff who have been recruited since the last inspection have had thorough safer recruitment checks. This means that staff are vetted as being appropriate to work with vulnerable children.

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Findings from the inspection

A detailed induction programme has been put in place. All staff are up to date with the company’s ‘core’ training, which includes safeguarding training. The company has a programme of training in place. This is to help to embed the company’s chosen therapeutic parenting model and ensure that staff are trained to meet children’s specific needs. This ensures that children are cared for by well-trained staff. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 3 Some staff have decided to leave the company. The manager has tried to ensure that the changes in staff do not affect the children. The team strive to have good relationships with all the children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and the management team are passionate about ‘getting it right’ for the children. They have been instrumental in making positive changes that have improved how children are cared for.

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Findings from the inspection

Some language used in the home to describe routines and activities might make children feel different to their peers.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/07/2023 Full Inadequate 24/05/2022 Full Good 06/12/2021 Interim Improved effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 4

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Recommendation

 The responsible person should ensure that the home maintains a nurturing environment, and that language used when describing routines and activities reflects that used in a family home. (‘The Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards.’ Page 15 paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Halliwell Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pearce House, 80 Cawdor Street, Eccles M30 0QF

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Inspector

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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