Children's home run by Core Children Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2731026 1 Registered provider: Core Children Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

This is the home’s first inspection since its registration in August 2023. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since August 2023 and holds a leadership and management qualification at level 5.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2731026 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. One other child had lived at the home for three months. While they had made some progress, their complex needs and behaviours required more specialist support. The child moved on to be able to receive this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child at the home is well supported by staff and benefits from the care that is offered. Staff establish good routines that enable her to feel secure. Because of this, the child has made good progress. The placing social worker said, ‘[Name of child] has made good progress since moving to the home. She is responding positively to consistent routines and boundaries. She has formed positive attachments with staff and has really settled well in the placement.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the child’s continued attendance at school is well supported. Staff maintain a presence within the school setting so that they are on hand to support the child and ensure that she is given the opportunity to achieve to her full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has access to health services that promote her physical and emotional well-being. The child is encouraged and supported to attend routine appointments with primary healthcare services.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to maintain and develop a positive relationship with her family. Staff provide her with emotional and practical support to help her to remain in touch with her family and not become isolated from the people who are important to her.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide the child with good-quality key-work sessions on important topics identified in her care plan, including healthy relationships and education. The sessions allow the child to express her views, wishes and feelings, while ensuring that she receives good support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child knows how to make a complaint. She has access to information on the home’s complaints procedure and contact details of independent people and organisations who could provide her with support.

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

The child’s known and potential risks are well understood by staff. Risk assessments and behaviour support plans are effective. They clearly identify risks to the child and include clear actions to help staff to support her.

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

Incidents in the home are managed well. Physical intervention is only used when necessary to prevent the child from harming themselves or others. Oversight of incidents by the manager is good. She monitors the action taken, to help identify Inspection report for children's home: 2731026 3 patterns and trends. Staff also share information quickly with the child’s social worker and reflect on these incidents during team meetings.

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

Staff complete regular health and safety checks in the home and follow a range of safety procedures to protect the child from potential hazards. This includes holding fire evacuation drills, to ensure that she knows what to do in the case of such an emergency.

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

The manager ensures that the child is protected by the organisation’s effective recruitment and selection procedures. Staff are vetted and assessed as suitable before any appointment is confirmed. These procedures promote the safety of the child by preventing unsuitable adults from working with her.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high aspirations for the child. She is supported by an enthusiastic deputy and a committed team of staff who share her vision for supporting the child to achieve positive outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff receive regular, good-quality supervision. Supervision focuses on the child, any safeguarding issues and staff development needs. Consequently, staff get feedback on their practice and feel listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is good. Staff feel well supported and staff retention is good, which provides stability and consistency of care to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff undertake regular training, which helps to improve their skills and knowledge, keeping them up to date with good practice. This helps to ensure that the child’s current and emerging needs are well supported and she is cared for effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have formed positive relationships with a range of external partners, including parents, placing authorities and teachers. This helps to secure a coordinated approach that means staff are better able to meet the child’s individual needs. Inspection report for children's home: 2731026 4

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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 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: 2731026 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Trent House, 234 Victoria Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 2LW

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2731026 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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