Children's home run by Absolute Children’s Services Ltd in Staffordshire Moorlands

Inspection report for children’s home: SC481172 1 SC481172 Registered provider: Absolute 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 run by a private company. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. Four children were living at the home at the time of the 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

Date of last inspection: 18 January 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC481172 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/01/2023 Full Good 08/03/2022 Full Outstanding 21/08/2019 Full Outstanding 12/03/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC481172 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have warm, positive relationships with staff who understand their individual needs. The well-being of each child is at the centre of the home. Children talk with staff about issues that matter to them. One child said: ‘I like the staff, they listen to me even when I don’t listen to them.’ This helps children to develop socially and emotionally.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in their education. Staff are ambitious for the children in their care and children know that staff want them to succeed. Children are supported to work towards their exams and attend events such as college open days. Children are aware of the opportunities available to them and are positive about their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are treated with dignity and respect. The staff ensure that children’s wishes and feelings are heard. Regular house meetings are held and children have meaningful conversations with staff. Children have input into their personal care plans and have ongoing opportunities to make choices and decisions in the lives. This helps children to mature and develop the ability to make decisions for themselves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to try new things and take part in activities. Children enjoy activities such as ice-skating, horse riding and gymnastics. One child described how they had flown in a plane after joining the local air cadets. When ceremonies are held which celebrate the children’s achievements, staff and other children attend. At one event, a child introduced staff to their friends as their family. Children are secure in their attachments and know they are valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s achievements are documented and they are regularly praised. Children are rewarded for positive behaviours. Children understand how this works and enjoy earning extra pocket money by doing tasks and being positive. The staff predominantly offer positive rewards rather than negative consequences. Children are given money to buy small reward items, such as toys or face masks. These can then be chosen by the child who is voted the ‘Star of the Week’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from regular support from the home’s therapist. There is a clear therapeutic ethos in the home which is based on research. The progress of each child is reviewed in detail, each month. Staff are supported by the therapist to reflect on their practice. Staff try new ways to engage children, reduce unwanted behaviours and ensure that children feel loved and secure. Children at this home feel happy and safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481172 4

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

Staff have a good understanding of the needs of the children, including how past experiences may have affected them. When children are distressed, staff use effective de-escalation techniques which are regularly reviewed. Behaviour management plans are individual to each child and staff continue to try to understand the triggers for each child. Children in this home make progress in managing their own emotions and feelings.

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

Physical restraint is rarely used in the home. Staff work closely alongside the therapist to review any concerns. This promotes a joined-up approach to care and children have clear boundaries and expectations. This contributes to a reduction in incidents. Children feel secure at the home and display this in their interactions with staff and each other. Up-to-date, regularly reviewed assessments reflect the known individual risks to children. The plans which are in place contribute to keeping children safe.

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

The number of times that children go missing from home has reduced. One external professional described a clear reduction in missing-from-home episodes for one child. When children do go missing, staff respond appropriately and search for the child. Staff keep in regular contact with families and professionals. When children return to the home, they talk through their concerns with staff and are given the opportunity to speak with an independent person. Children at the home are increasingly safe.

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

The recruitment of staff is clear and well organised. Checks and verification processes are completed before staff begin work in the home. All new staff undertake an effective induction which enables them to feel confident in their role. Children are protected from harm by the safer recruitment procedures which are in place.

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

Children have access to clear guidance if they wish to complain or highlight any concerns. These are dealt with seriously, investigated and the child is given feedback. Children know they are valued and their concerns will be taken seriously.

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

The home is nicely decorated and is warm, welcoming and homely. Furnishings are in good order and work has been undertaken to improve the garden areas. However, a fence which surrounds the fishpond has become dislodged and is damaged. This could present a risk to children.

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

The manager had completed a fire risk assessment prior to the inspection. However, she did not do this in consultation with the appropriately qualified professionals. Collaboration on this assessment would help the registered manager to enhance the safety of children under her care. Additionally, a fire door in the home was held open by a doorstop and did not close securely into the frame. In the event of a fire, smoke and flames would spread quickly and pose a risk to the safety of children and staff. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481172 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff meetings are held regularly and they are well attended by the staff. Children are the focus of the meetings. Additional therapeutic meetings, which the whole team attends, address issues such as attachment, safeguarding and child exploitation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision is held regularly, with additional probationary reviews for new starters. Staff value the support of the registered manager and the deputy manager. Staff are proud to work in the home and are clear that the personal and professional support which the registered manager offers enables them individually to carry out their role and progress in their career. The registered manager promotes and models high standards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has oversight of the home and completes regular audits to ensure that quality and safety are maintained. There are monthly visits to the home by an independent visitor. The reports written by the visitor give an oversight of the quality of care at the home. The registered manager responds quickly to any suggestions made by the independent person.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from parents and professionals regarding the management of the home is positive. Good communication is a strength of this home. Professionals describe the registered manager and staff as kind and thoughtful. Children’s transitions are managed well and regular update reports are sent to professionals regarding the progress of children. The registered manager is ambitious for the children in her care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has introduced additional ways to gather feedback from children and professionals. On alternate months, questionnaires are sent out and the responses reviewed and discussed in meetings. Action is taken as a result of this feedback.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a discussion with the staff after any incidents. This further strengthens the manager’s overview of the home and her understanding of what is happening for children. The registered manager ensures that plans are individual and comprehensive and the right people and professionals are involved in the care of children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481172 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must consult with an appropriately qualified and experienced person, to ensure that the fire risk assessment is suitable for the home.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that fire doors are not propped open and that they are able to close securely in the frame as a fire precaution. 1 April 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home complies with relevant health and safety legislation. In particular, ensure that the damaged fence in the grounds of the home is repaired so this does not pose a risk of harm to children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, Page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: SC481172 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Absolute Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 98 Grove Street, Leek ST13 8DU

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Inspector

Jo Cansfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC481172 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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