Children's home run by Care Today (Childrens Services) Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2736373 1 Registered provider: Care Today (Children’s Services) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation. The provider states in its statement of purpose that the home provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 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: 2736373 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child said that they feel happy living at the home. Staff know them well and have a good understanding of their needs. Staff are child-centred and speak enthusiastically about the child’s progress. The inspector observed positive and caring relationships between staff and the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child moved into the home in a positive way, which was carefully planned. This involved the manager going to see the child, and the child visiting the home prior to moving in. This enabled the child to settle into the home quickly and to start building positive relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to attend full-time education. When the child moved into the home, they were able to continue attending the same school. This has provided continuity for the child. Staff have daily communication with the teaching staff to ensure that there is consistency for the child. The child’s attendance at school is excellent and they are making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support family time. The child sees their parents and extended family members each week, in the home and out in the community. Staff have built a positive relationship with the parents, staying in regular contact with them. This ensures that the parents continue to play an active part in the child’s life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise the child’s health and well-being and encourage them to attend routine health appointments. The manager is also working with other health professionals to ensure that the emotional health needs of the child are being met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is involved in their day-to-day care. They are consulted on many aspects of their day-to-day routines, including menu choice and activities. Staff support the child in developing age-appropriate life skills, including helping to prepare the evening meal and baking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff celebrate the child’s achievements and certificates are displayed in the home. This helps to develop the child’s self-esteem and confidence.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the child’s risks and underlying needs. Staff are calm and caring in their approach and they have a good understanding of the behaviours the child exhibits due to their needs. Staff promote positive behaviour through regular praise and rewards. Regular conversations take place to discuss risk-taking behaviour.

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

Any consequences given for unwanted behaviour are appropriate and support the child in understanding the risks in their life. Inspection report for children’s home: 2736373 3 Risk assessment documents identify the child’s vulnerabilities and include comprehensive guidance and strategies for staff to follow, which are updated regularly. This ensures that the child is safe both in the home and in the local community.

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

There has been one physical intervention. This was appropriate to keep the child from hurting themselves. The child was spoken to after the incident by an independent manager as the registered manager was involved in the restraint. This good practice ensured that the child was supported to understand why they were held and given the opportunity to raise any concerns safely.

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

Staff manage any significant incidents well. They also record clearly what happened and the appropriate action that took place. There is clear management oversight to look at lessons that can be learned to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring again. All appropriate people are kept up to date.

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

The child knows how to complain. When the child has raised a concern, this has been addressed and responded to appropriately. This positive response ensures that the child feels listened to and their views are valued.

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

Recruitment records are clear and ensure that staff who work at the home are safe to do so. There are adequate staff to meet the needs of the child currently living at the home.

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

The physical environment is maintained to a high standard and meets the needs of the child. There are a range of age-appropriate games, toys and crafts. All appropriate health and safety checks have been completed to ensure that the environment is safe and comfortable for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. He has an ambitious vision, is child-centred and nurturing and has high aspirations for the child. Staff are positive about the manager and describe him as being readily available for advice and support. This creates a supportive environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Management oversight is good in most areas. A monthly evaluative report is completed, which identifies strengths and areas that need to be developed. However, the manager has not reviewed consequences given to the child within the appropriate timescales, to ensure that the consequence given is fair and effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a committed and consistent staff team in place. Staff work well together. They share the same aspirations for the child and are child-centred.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision from the manager and there is clear reflective practice. This enables staff to develop their knowledge and identify any further Inspection report for children’s home: 2736373 4 training they may need. Team meetings take place regularly, which staff contribute to and where they share good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has built positive working relationships with other professionals. Staff communicate well with other agencies and attend relevant meetings. The manager will escalate concerns and requests to ensure that he receives all appropriate documentation. This enables staff to have the most up-to-date information to guide them in meeting the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a comprehensive mandatory training programme available to staff. All staff have completed these courses. Staff are supported by in-house therapists who offer advice and additional training courses. This improves staff’s skills and knowledge. However, the manager must ensure that any courses identified in the home’s statement of purpose have been completed by all staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2736373 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all consequences for unwanted behaviour are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)  The registered person should ensure that all staff are up to date with their training in relation to radicalisation, as stated in the home’s statement of purpose. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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: 2736373 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Care Today (Children’s Services) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Care Today Children’s Services, 2nd Floor, Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road, Stockport SK2 6LR

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Inspector

Simon Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2736373 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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