Children's home run by Positive Footsteps Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2693873 1 Registered provider: Positive Footsteps Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides individualised care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023 and is suitably qualified.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2693873 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children feel settled in the home and have made good progress since they moved in. Staff provide individualised care that helps them to thrive and develop. One previous carer said, ‘I couldn’t give enough praise for the work they have done with [name of child], for the sense of home they try to give and for the true commitment shown to them.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has made significant progress in education since they moved to the home. Another child does not have a named school. Therefore, staff support educational activity for this child throughout the day. The management team demonstrates clear aspiration for the child to return to education as soon as possible. The registered provider has taken a leading role in advocating this to the placing authority and education professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from clear routines, and staff have worked hard to get to know them. Children are supported in a variety of ways to express their wishes and feelings, which promotes a sense of autonomy and inclusion for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is warm and welcoming. Children feel a sense of belonging and proudly display their photos in communal and bedroom spaces.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff interact well with children, and children experience a wide range of activities and social experiences. Staff record these events in hand-crafted memory books. Children are proud of these and enjoy looking back on their positive experiences since they moved to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a healthy and varied diet, and staff encourage them to think about healthy eating. Children are very receptive to this. One child has made positive progress towards achieving a healthier weight since they moved to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a diverse staff team, which enables children to benefit from a range of differing perspectives as they learn about the world and social difference.

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

Children feel safe in the home and can identify trusted adults who they seek support and advice from. Staff are thoughtful in their approach to caring for children and encourage them to reflect and learn following difficult incidents.

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

Staff support children with a range of well-informed strategies. Individual plans outline what approaches work best, and these are continually updated by staff in response to children’s emerging needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2693873 3 Leaders and managers take effective action when safeguarding concerns arise, and any subsequent investigations are carried out in a prompt and child-centred manner.

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

Staff support children to maintain relationships with familiar adults, such as their parents and previous carers. Therefore, children sustain important connections to their past. These familiar adults continue to be part of children’s lives, working in unison alongside the staff team, where appropriate, to support positive outcomes and experiences for children.

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

The registered provider ensures that staff who are new to the home are fully vetted and that comprehensive safer recruitment processes are in place.

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

Despite good intentions, some staff have not always used therapeutic approaches in responding to children’s presenting behaviour. The registered manager promptly recognised two specific occasions and proactively supported staff to reflect on what they should have done differently.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a capable manager who is committed to providing a secure and nurturing environment for children. Staff speak highly of the support they receive from the manager, and morale in the team is high. One member of staff said, ‘The support from the management team and directors is the best I’ve ever had.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers demonstrate a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. The management team leads by example and routinely works alongside staff to embed the therapeutic approach across the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All staff receive regular supervision that encourages them to reflect on their care and support of children, while providing an opportunity for personal and emotional reflection. Staff receive a wide range of training and learning opportunities. All mandatory training is up to date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership team has thought very carefully about moving children into the home following registration, recognising the importance of allowing children to develop a sense of stability and supporting staff to adapt to changing responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children benefit from committed staff who are focused on improving their welfare. However, on some occasions, communication between staff has not been effective in supporting children’s behavioural needs. Leaders and managers have already planned actions to address this. Inspection report for children’s home: 2693873 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff understand the behaviour management approach that is used to provide care to children, and this should be applied at all times. The registered person should also ensure that staff communicate effectively to provide the most appropriate strategies when children require extra support. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.34)  The registered person should lead the team in accordance with the home’s statement of purpose and deliver a culture of high-quality consistent care for children. In achieving this ethos, the registered person should ensure that all staff are able to work effectively together to promote children’s best interests and enable them to thrive. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.4)

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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: 2693873 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Positive Footsteps Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 43 Merstow Green, Evesham WR11 4BB

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Sanita Marshalleck

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Inspector

Ashley Edwards, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2693873 6 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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