Children's home run by Vesta Children's Services Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2728263 1 Registered provider: Vesta 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 children’s home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for one child who has had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2023. The manager is undertaking a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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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 requires improvement to be 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: 2728263 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first inspection since the home was registered in September 2023. At the time of this inspection, there were no children living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child who had lived at the home had moved on as staff were unable to meet their needs. However, the plan for the move did not reduce the child’s anxieties as it was unclear where the child would move to and the timescales. This uncertainty did not support the child’s sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff managed the child’s behaviour well, despite this sometimes being challenging. The staff worked hard to support the child and this enabled the child to build some positive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child attended school regularly and make good progress from their starting point. They received effective support and encouragement from staff to promote their education and learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child was registered with primary healthcare services and attended planned appointments. They also had access to specialist services to promote their physical, emotional and psychological well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The arrangements for the controlled storage and administration of the child’s medication were safe and effective.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote and support children to spend time with their family and friends. The child enjoyed regular time with their family. This kept them connected to important people in their life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child was supported to pursue their hobbies and interests. For example, they visited a recording studio and their favourite football team’s stadium. Staff encouraged the child’s talents and hobbies. This increased the child’s self-esteem and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is generally kept to a good standard. However, there is a patch of damp on the kitchen wall, which is both unsightly and unhygienic.

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improvement to be good

Children are not always safeguarded effectively when serious incidents occur. On one occasion, following poor staff practice, a child sustained an injury. This did not demonstrate that all staff have the skills they need to safely manage children’s behaviours. Inspection report for children's home: 2728263 3 Staff are clear about their safeguarding responsibilities. They use personalised risk assessments to inform them about children’s risks.

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improvement to be good

The manager ensures that allegations are referred to the appropriate agencies and investigated accordingly. The manager responds to, investigates and provides an outcome of all complaints. This appropriate action by the manager contributes to the safeguarding of children.

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improvement to be good

There are effective health and safety systems in place. Regular practice evacuations ensured that the child knew how to exit the building safely and quickly in case of an emergency.

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improvement to be good

The child was protected by the organisation’s recruitment process. Only staff who have been carefully vetted work in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since September 2023 and is undertaking a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are positive about the manager’s supportive leadership of the home. Staff are all qualified or working to gain the relevant qualification for their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular practice-related supervision to support their performance and to review children’s progress and experiences. Staff attend relevant training courses to develop their skills and meet the specific needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly, which give staff the opportunity to reflect on their practice and to help them to develop their skills and abilities. The organisation’s psychologist attends team meetings to provide clinical oversight of children, along with additional training for staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has established effective working relationships with external professionals, including local police community support officers, education professionals and placing authorities. This partnership approach means that children receive support and guidance from a range of professionals to promote their safety and well-being. Inspection report for children's home: 2728263 4

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm.

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff having the skills to manage challenging situations.

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Requirement Due date

Also, to address the damp patch on the kitchen wall. 25 March 2024

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to children having a positive experience when moving on from the home. 25 March 2024

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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) Inspection report for children's home: 2728263 5 Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children's home: 2728263 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Vesta Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 4, Emma Court, Dewsbury Road, Stoke-on- Trent ST4 2TH

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2728263 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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