Children's Home run by Active Care Organisation Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2683082 1 Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

An acting manager is in post and has applied to Ofsted to be registered. She is supported daily by an experienced operations manager. Since the last inspection, there have been no children living in the home. At the time of this inspection, transition plans were underway in preparation for a child moving in.

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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: 19 September 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

A compliance notice was set under Regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. This was judged to have been met during a monitoring visit on 24 October 2023. This report has been published on the Ofsted website. Inspection report for children's home: 2683082 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/09/2023 Full Inadequate 28/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2683082 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well prepared and supported to move into the home. Staff engage children with pertinent information about the home. This gives children reassurance, helps them feel welcomed and reduces anxieties.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves are well planned. Transition plans are created in collaboration with relevant parties, such as parents, social workers, and current providers. Plans are well considered and child focused. Staff and managers strive to get to know children well before they move in. This helps to identify children’s needs and inform effective care planning from the outset.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are well trained. They receive training in relation to children’s needs, such as autism. Staff have also received trauma-informed training. This has helped to upskill and develop the team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is, to some extent, warm and welcoming. There are soft furnishings and photos on the walls. However, parts of the home require further improvement. In particular, the garden needs developing to ensure it is a welcoming space for children to enjoy.

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

Risks are well managed by managers and staff. Managers are diligent in their decision to place children in the home. Staff’s knowledge, skill and ability to safely meet children’s needs are well considered. In-depth and thorough risk assessments are used to inform decisions. Risks are appropriately assessed throughout children’s transitions.

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

Managers spend time with children before they move in, involving them in the creation of their care plans. Such plans outline how children want staff to respond when they are struggling. This proactive approach helps children feel heard and valued. It also ensures they receive the support they need from staff.

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

Staff are well supported in their role. Staff receive regular group and individual sessions with a psychologist. This provides a space for staff to reflect on their practice and receive professional support. This promotes staff well-being and development.

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

Good safeguarding practices are in place. Staff are up to date with all mandatory training, including safeguarding. Thorough safeguarding audits are carried out monthly by the operations manager. Issues of safeguarding are discussed in team meetings and supervision sessions, ensuring the safety of children is at the forefront of staff practice. Inspection report for children's home: 2683082 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The acting manager is passionate and committed to her role. She is enthusiastic about how she can progress the service. She sets high expectations for staff, and they are confident in her leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported and enjoy working at the home. There is an established and resilient staff team that works well together. Staff are passionate about caring for children and achieving good outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Good oversight and monitoring systems are in place. Thorough weekly and monthly audits are undertaken by staff and managers. Occasionally, audits are undertaken by an external consultant for additional scrutiny. These checks provide in-depth analysis of the quality of care provided, giving the manager oversight of the strengths and weaknesses of the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held monthly. The manager provides regular workshops in important topics, such as safeguarding and medication competency. External professionals, such as the local police and an independent consultant, also deliver training. These sessions provide staff with the opportunity to bond and develop their practice. Inspection report for children's home: 2683082 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming, supportive and provides appropriate boundaries in relation to children’s behaviour. The home must also meet children’s basic day-to-day needs and physical necessities. Staff should seek to meet the child’s basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met. This is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child and value them as an individual. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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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: 2683082 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Windsor House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3AT

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Inspector

Emma Dacres, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2683082 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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