Children's home run by A&M Care Solutions Limited - T/A Metropolitan Care Solutions

Inspection report for children’s home: 2496764 1 Registered provider: Metropolitan Care Solutions 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 provider. It can provide care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is qualified and experienced.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 21 February 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2496764 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/02/2023 Full Good 27/07/2021 Full Outstanding 27/02/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 21/08/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2496764 3

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outstanding

Children who live here make exceptional progress. They often stay for many years. Taking into consideration their profound learning disabilities, and complex healthcare needs, they make considerable developmental progress in all areas of their lives. Outstanding levels of care are built on foundations of trusting relationships between children and adults. This means disabled children with the most complex needs lead fulfilling, enriched lives.

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outstanding

Staff have worked creatively and resiliently to develop effective means of communication with children. Specific learning disability training and research- informed practice ensure that staff remain skilled and knowledgeable in this area. Children who previously did not speak can now form two- and three-word sentences. Children who make their needs known to staff by communicating with signs, symbols and pictures always have access to these specialist systems. These significant improvements in communication mean that children have a stronger voice in their own care.

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outstanding

There is a holistic approach to supporting children to enjoy an abundance of experiences and fun activities. Children experience many of their firsts while living here, such as birthday parties, swimming lessons and seaside visits. Careful planning and regular risk assessing mean there are no unnecessary barriers for disabled children. Children are very well prepared for new experiences through the extensive use of signs, symbols and social stories. Staff understand the importance of disabled children experiencing consistent and predictable routines, so this is fully embedded throughout children’s bespoke care planning.

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outstanding

Children receive help to improve their health and manage lifelong conditions. Staff use research-informed practice, and the expertise of others, to access the best healthcare in a strong and confident manner. When they are concerned about delay, and the impact of this on children, they are strong advocates challenging others to do better. For one child this tenacity has resulted in a swift assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan for a potentially serious health condition. This has made an exceptional difference to the child’s life.

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outstanding

Feedback from partner agencies is remarkable. There are excellent working relationships between staff, professionals and families. Placing authorities give praise to staff for their care of children, adding that the home is often referred to as an example of outstanding practice. Children’s relatives are thrilled with their care and progress. A parent said: ‘The staff are amazing, they have helped me as much as they’ve helped him. I’ve never had a concern or worry about his care.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2496764 4

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outstanding

Children receive high-quality care from staff who know them very well. Some children are now in their fifth year of living here, so have grown up through their adolescent years in the care of this home. Care plans and risk assessments are intricately detailed, with regular reviews, making it clear to staff what they need to do to keep children safe. This effective safeguarding practice promotes safety and allows children to take measured, age-appropriate risks in line with their own development.

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outstanding

Children’s complex health and behavioural needs mean that there are frequent times of upset, distress and behaviour that is challenging for adults. Staff are skilled at promoting positive behaviour and have embedded a consistent response on these occasions. Significant incidents are low in number, and always managed effectively.

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outstanding

The use of physical restraint is in line with children’s care plans and risk assessments. It is considered in a multidisciplinary forum to ensure high levels of scrutiny. Records of such incidents are concise and capture all the necessary information, to allow managers to assure themselves that this is only being used as a last resort. Children are spoken to after each incident. Staff use children’s own communication methods effectively to ensure that they can express their views. Additionally, children benefit from independent advocacy support as means of sharing their feelings.

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outstanding

Staff undertake a broad range of good-quality training in safeguarding matters. The shortfalls apparent at the previous inspection are no longer evident. There is excellent communication with safeguarding partners in the placing authorities. One social worker told the inspector: ‘Communication is excellent. I always feel involved with everything that is happening.’

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outstanding

Leaders are acutely aware of the additional safeguarding vulnerabilities for disabled children and what those inherent risk factors may look like. Learning from research is a strength of the leadership team and is shared throughout the service through discussions, supervision sessions, team meetings, handovers and upskilling exercises. Staff understand the importance of an open safeguarding culture and, as a result, know how to recognise, report and act on any safeguarding concerns that they may have.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team consists of a responsible individual, a registered manager and a deputy manager. All individuals are ambitious for children and inspirational leaders. They provide excellent role modelling to the staff team and drive improvements forward. The culture of the home guards against complacency, which ensures that children in their care reach their personal potential, regardless of any disability or complex needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2496764 5 The manager is a confident leader. She brings with her years of experience working with children with learning disabilities. She is a strong advocate for children in her care and makes decisions with children at the centre. Her ambition and high expectations have been influential in the children’s sustained progress over several years.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff hold the leadership team in high regard. They are described as being ‘open, approachable and supportive’ both with work matters and those that are more personal. The inspector was told of, and observed, an ‘open door’ policy, with leaders who are welcoming of staff feedback and ideas. This has contributed to high morale and dedication throughout the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers promote the continuous professional development of all staff. They take responsibility for their own learning and lead by example. Research is used to keep abreast of all sector changes and to access high-calibre and diverse training resources. A recent commission for the team focuses on early childhood trauma and the impact on sensory processing. Supervision discussions and team meetings are used effectively as opportunities to upskill staff, both individually and collectively. This has resulted in a positive learning environment for everyone who works here. Inspection report for children’s home: 2496764 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 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: 2496764 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Metropolitan Care Solutions

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 Regent Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG1 5BQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Katherine Adkins

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Inspector

Rachael Sprigg, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2496764 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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Inspector

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