Children's home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2733149 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2733149 2

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Inspection type Inspection judgement

Inspection report for children’s home: 2733149 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home registered with Ofsted in August 2023, one child has moved into the home and no children have moved on from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is building trusting relationships with staff. Inspectors observed the child enjoying being with staff and there was a lot of laughter and playfulness. The child talked openly with staff. Staff work hard to build meaningful relationships with the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child does not have an education place and has not been in education for several years before moving to the home. The child is receiving tutoring and home schooling and this helps to reduce gaps in the child’s learning. The manager is currently working with external agencies to find an alternative education provision for this child. The manager is an excellent advocate for the child. She has made complaints to the Department of Education, local authority and written to the local MP.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child was not having time with her parent before moving to the home. The manager understood there was a language barrier and appointed an appropriate interpreter. The child’s parent understands the care the staff are providing. The psychologist working with the child observed that staff are committed to the child and family and working extensively to rebuild the child’s relationship with her parent.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child takes part in a range of activities, including day trips, visits to farms and the gym. The child attended the local community carol service and firework display. The child experiences enriching activities and opportunities to try new things. The child is helped to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children benefit from clinical sessions with a clinical psychologist. This intervention helps the child to make sense of their past experiences in a safe space. The child is helped to process their experiences and gives them coping strategies to cope with difficult feelings and emotions.

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

The child feels safe at the home. The manager has ensured that the staff have appropriate safeguarding training. The staff understand and implement the safeguarding procedures. They confidently manage safeguarding incidents.

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

The child has an individualised behaviour support plan that clearly guides the staff. Detailed plans and consistent approaches from the staff help the child to manage their behaviour safely. The child was involved in writing their behaviour support plan and benefits from support that they prefer. Unwanted behaviours have significantly reduced. Inspection report for children’s home: 2733149 4 The staff have not used physical intervention. Staff use their relationships with the child to encourage positive behaviours.

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

There have been three missing-from-home incidents. Staff manage the incidents well. The child is offered an independent return home interview. At the time of the inspection, there had not been any missing-from-home incidents for several months.

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

There has been one allegation. The manager ensured that the allegation made by the child was investigated promptly. She informed the local authority designated officer and the social worker. However, the manager did not notify Ofsted immediately. This reduces Ofsted’s ability to monitor safeguarding incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced. She is working towards a relevant level 5 qualification. She is a positive role model to staff and promotes excellent care for children. Staff are enthusiastic and caring and provide therapeutic, child-centred care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular and effective supervision. They receive good guidance from the manager. The manager has developed individual workforce development plans for each member of staff. These plans guide the staff to understand and to share the manager’s vision for the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said that the manager is approachable, and they really enjoy working at the home. Staff morale is high, and staff are well motivated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A social worker spoke highly of the home. They are impressed with the quality of therapeutic care and the effectiveness of the manager. The manager and staff have good relationships with professionals and parent, ensuring joined-up working and good outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person’s reports are of a good quality and include feedback from children, parents and professionals. The independent person makes appropriate recommendations which help the manager improve the quality of care that the child receives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has submitted their internal monitoring report to Ofsted as required. The report is generally of good quality and includes feedback from professionals and parent. However, the report does not include direct feedback from the child and lacks analysis around the challenges the manager has overcome. Inspection report for children’s home: 2733149 5

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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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that significant incidents are notified to Ofsted without delay. 1 March 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should carry out a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home, the experiences of children living there and the impact that the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. The report should include analysis and evaluation of challenges. It should also include direct feedback from children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 4, paragraph 15.2)

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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 he 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: 2733149 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2733149 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 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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