Children's home run by A & S Children’s Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 1 Registered provider: A & S Children’s Services Ltd Full inspection 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 three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in February 2021. The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/04/2022 Full Inadequate 08/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/06/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of care provided to children at this home is good. Children are cared for by a stable and dedicated team of staff, who are committed to helping them reach their potential. Staff talk with care and compassion about the children. They are proud of their achievements. This helps children to settle into the home and talk to staff about their concerns. One child said that ‘staff are the best and I really appreciate everything they have done for me’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have experience of working with children with complex health needs. These are well understood and met. Staff have good working relationships with healthcare professionals, and make sure children attend all their appointments. Staff receive bespoke training and are confident in supporting children to better understand their health conditions. Children make good progress with managing their health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager understands the barriers that some children face in accessing education. She advocates for appropriate education provision and support. Staff understand that starting somewhere new can be difficult for children. Transitions to new education settings are planned carefully. Staff offer children ongoing reassurance and encouragement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take time to find out each child’s interests. Staff are creative in engaging children in activities they will enjoy. Children enjoy a range of new experiences in the community. Children and staff spend time together cooking, watching movies and having spa nights. This helps to create a family feel in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home is maintained to a high standard. Children personalise their bedrooms, which are spacious. Children have their own ensuite shower room. One parent told the inspector that their child loved their time there and it felt like a home. Another parent said that their child had nothing but praise for the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that there are meaningful conversations with children about their culture and heritage. There are weekly children’s meetings and often a cultural topic is discussed. This helps children to develop their knowledge and thinking and builds their confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager has agreed to review the fact that the kitchen is locked at night. Although there are plenty of snacks available for children, this rule is at odds with the family feel of the home.

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

Managers and staff understand the children’s needs, risks, strengths and vulnerabilities. Risk assessments are clear and detailed. Staff use regular key-worker Inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 4 sessions as an effective way of speaking with children about risks. Staff plan these sessions well. A wide range of resources are used to help children think about topics such as healthy relationships, substance misuse, their mental health and their well- being.

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

Trusting relationships between the children and staff improve children’s safety. Children trust staff and talk to them about their feelings, worries and concerns. They are confident that the staff will listen to them and act if they share any concerns or worries.

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

Staff have a good understanding of contextual safeguarding and the risks posed to children in the community. Staff are proactive when children go missing from the home. They are in regular contact with the children, their families and other agencies to ensure that children are safe.

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

Staff are suitably trained to use physical intervention. However, there have been no incidents of restraint since the last inspection.

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

The manager works hard to link children into support services to help with education, mental health and safety. Children are encouraged to meet with an independent advocate.

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

Staff ensure that children maintain their family relationships. They support children with their family-time arrangements, including overnight family visits and family visits to the home. Staff keep in regular contact with parents and carers. Parents told the inspector they were confident their children were well cared for.

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

Staff help older children to prepare for independence. This includes help with budgeting, shopping and cooking. One child was supported to write their CV and search for part-time jobs. Children are given the space to talk about any worries they have about moving on. Staff maintain a genuine interest in how children are doing and keep in touch with them after they have left.

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

Planning for children who remain in the home post-18 needs to improve. Managers need to ensure that there is a clear transition plan and risk assessments are reviewed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably experienced and qualified registered manager, supported by a deputy manager. They create a culture where staff strive to make a positive difference to children’s lives. There is a stable staff team in place, providing children with stability and a consistent level of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers work well with children’s professional networks. Feedback from professionals is positive regarding the quality of care provided and communication from staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 5 Leaders and managers have improved their safer recruitment policies and procedures. Safe recruitment and employment practices are followed, ensuring that only suitable staff are employed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is positive. They feel valued and describe a culture of team working. Staff receive regular supervision, which considers and prioritises children’s needs and their own personal development. Team meetings demonstrate that staff reflect on their practice and the needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a comprehensive induction and ongoing training to strengthen their knowledge and skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of whistle-blowing policies and safeguarding procedures. Concerns are shared with the relevant agencies. Inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 6

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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

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (b)(c)(i)(ii)(iv)) 24 March 2024

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with 12 April 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 7 arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that transition plans are carefully considered and clearly recorded for all children reaching adulthood.

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2611288 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: A & S Children’s Services Ltd, 101 Kings Avenue, Greenford, UB6 9DF

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Inspector

Matilda Clode, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2611288 9 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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