Children's home run by Amegreen Children’s Services

Inspection report for children's home: 2732319 1 Registered provider: Amegreen 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 privately owned and provides care for up to three children who have physical and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

There were three children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted on 16 June 2023, and this was its first inspection. The manager has been registered since the same date.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2732319 2

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outstanding

Children benefit from exceptional care from staff, who have their best interests at heart. Consequently, the children are thriving. Staff ensure that the children enjoy new and positive experiences and that they are not limited by their disabilities. Children enjoy outings to the seaside, local horse stables and museums and they are supported to do other fun activities of their choice. The staff create amazing memories with, and for, the children.

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outstanding

Staff know the children extremely well. They are attuned to the children’s needs and care for them through a nurturing, sensitive approach. They constantly seek the children’s wishes and views through observation and time spent speaking with them. They use children’s preferred communication styles and aids. There are helpful pictures and symbols displayed in the home to support children in expressing themselves and to make meal and activity choices. Children’s development is tactfully encouraged through fun, creative and innovative ways. QR codes displayed in the home provide useful instructions and information to children when these are scanned using their tablet computers. For example, a QR code in a bathroom is linked to a child-friendly video about toothbrushing.

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outstanding

Excellent care and consistency from the staff have contributed to children making significant progress. Staff have successfully supported one child, who previously wore incontinence pads, to learn to use the toilet with little support. Other children have made progress in ways that are significant for them. For example, one child is now able to use cutlery at mealtimes, and another is now better able to manage their own health needs. The high-quality support from staff has been instrumental in a child with a physical disability exceeding expectations. This child’s mobility has improved and they are less reliant on their wheelchair. The diligent care that staff provide has resulted in considerable improvement in the children’s quality of life.

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outstanding

The staff care about the children and talk about them positively. One professional said that a child is ‘adored’ by all staff. Partner professionals and the children’s parents are impressed by the quality of care children receive and how this drives significant progress for the children. Effective partnership working between the staff, social care, health and education professionals ensures that the children are very well supported, and that they continue to thrive.

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outstanding

The children live in a welcoming and comfortable home that is decorated to a high standard. Their bedrooms are personalised based on their interests, with their choice of bedding, favourite toys and photos of the children and their families. The children’s bedrooms give a good sense of each child’s individuality. Photos of the children displayed in the home convey a sense of belonging for each child and show that they are valued. Inspection report for children's home: 2732319 3 Staff embed inclusive practice throughout the home. They help the children to understand difference. The diverse staff team provides the children with the opportunity to try foods from different countries and to learn about different cultures. Children live in an inclusive environment and staff always keep children at the centre of their practice. They ensure that any aids and adaptations needed to help the child are in place. For example, adapted and accessible bedroom furniture

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outstanding

helps to enhance one child’s independence and allows them to enjoy a sense of pride. Staff support the children to learn about their own unique identities; this helps them to develop a positive self-image.

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

Staff speak positively about the children and their experiences of caring for them. The staff are attentive and sensitive in their approach. The consistency they have shown has contributed to children learning new skills, and risk being well managed. While being mindful of children’s vulnerabilities, the staff remain aspirational and are committed to supporting the children towards greater progress.

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

Staff have a sound understanding of the children’s complex needs and vulnerabilities. Maintaining the children’s safety and well-being is the primary focus for staff. Comprehensive risk assessments include clear guidance to staff on providing effective and safe care to meet each child’s individual needs. The manager ensures that staff receive the good-quality training they need in complex care activities. This ensures that the children continue to be cared for safely by skilled and knowledgeable staff.

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

Staff understand the additional vulnerabilities of disabled children who receive personal care. They help the children to better understand their own health needs and how staff will support them. Consequently, some children learn how to manage their health needs to maintain optimum health.

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

The children are happy and settled in the home and do not go missing. However, staff are aware of what action to take should this occur.

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

Staff ensure that children are supported to have a voice. They explore their wishes and feelings and take the opportunity to talk about other important issues. Staff are fully aware of their core duty to safeguard children. There have not been any concerns relating to children’s welfare, but staff are confident of how, and to whom, to report any concerns. They are aware of how to escalate concerns if needed.

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

The manager ensures that only suitable applicants are employed to work with these vulnerable children. Pre-employment checks for new staff are carried out to a high standard.

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

The building is well maintained, and regular health and safety checks are carried out. This helps to maintain a safe home environment for the children and others. Inspection report for children's home: 2732319 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by a strong senior management team who have high expectations of the children and staff. The responsible individual and manager work very closely together. Senior leaders are all invested in the service and are committed to providing children with outstanding care. They strive to ensure that the children are not limited by their disabilities. The staff support them to enjoy as many opportunities as possible. The manager leads the team, modelling this vision effectively. As a result, the staff ensure that the children have meaningful experiences that enrich their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff feel valued and well supported by the senior leaders. The manager works closely with staff. She provides direct care to the children and models excellent practice to staff. Staff are supported through regular reflective supervision and team meetings. These discussions help ensure that staff maintain nurturing care to the children in line with the home’s ethos. The manager maintains a skilled staff team through providing a wide range of good-quality training relevant to their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Senior leaders have successfully instilled a positive culture of inclusivity in which staff actively encourage children’s participation. The children’s opinions, wishes and views are valued and acted on.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager ensures that staff work exceptionally well in partnership with all professionals involved in the children’s lives. On those occasions when other professionals do not deliver the support the children need, they tenaciously challenge and advocate appropriately for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Senior leaders have a comprehensive understanding of the strengths of the service and plans for further development. They act on suggestions from others and are committed to driving improvement. Steps have been taken to further develop communication with external professionals and children’s parents. An additional document has been developed to complement each child’s care and support plans. This provides a much greater sense of the child’s personality, preferences and identity. The children’s guide is in the process of being improved, to be more easily understood by children with greater communication needs. This demonstrates a strong commitment from senior leaders to maintain excellent child-centred practice. Inspection report for children's home: 2732319 5

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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: 2732319 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amegreen Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Corner House, West End Road, Mortimer, Berks RG7 3TF

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Inspector

Sasha Reid, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2732319 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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