Children's Home run by Crystal Care Solutions Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC480594 1 SC480594 Registered provider: Crystal Care Solutions Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to four children who display complex behaviours because of early childhood trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since November 2018. She holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management in health and care services.

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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 outstanding

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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: 7 December 2022

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC480594 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/12/2022 29/06/2021 Full Full Outstanding Outstanding 10/12/2019 Full Outstanding 10/07/2018 Full Good 28/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC480594 3

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outstanding

Children living at this home make exceptional progress, enjoy wonderful experiences and establish incredibly strong bonds with staff. Staff have genuine love, care and aspirations for children. Staff make this home a home away from home. Children and adults experience an extremely warm and nurturing environment.

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outstanding

Four children live at the home. Two children have left the home since the last inspection. One successfully moved back to their family home, and one moved into supported accommodation, which was his wish.

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outstanding

Professionals unanimously said that staff enthusiastically support children’s education. Staff encourage children to attend their educational provisions and celebrate their educational achievements. There is excellent liaison between staff and education providers. At the last inspection, one child was not engaged in education. Since the last inspection, the support this child has received has been remarkable and has ensured that their engagement has improved.

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outstanding

Staff engage with and entertain the children especially well. Children attend a variety of fantastic activities, which are illustrated in memory books. Staff take children on holiday to places within the United Kingdom and abroad. For example, children went on a holiday to Portugal. This was their first holiday abroad and their first time on a plane. While in Portugal, the children were able to swim with dolphins.

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outstanding

Children go on holidays in pairs or small groups. This allows staff to provide children with individualised experiences that are tailored to their interests. Such trips broaden children’s experiences and build their self-esteem. For some children, they have made memories that will last a lifetime.

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outstanding

Children benefit from having a consistent staff team that supports their every need. Staff have exceptionally positive interactions with the children. Children thoroughly enjoy the company of staff. Children and staff laugh together, play together and demonstrate affection towards one another. This creates an environment that is like that of a loving family home.

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outstanding

The staff are highly creative in their approach. Affirmation jars are in place for all children. Positive notes and compliments are placed in these jars throughout the year and then opened together and read aloud on New Year’s Day. Staff do not see challenges; they see opportunities to engage and inform children.

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outstanding

Staff provide opportunities for children to engage in activities that build their independence and prepare them for their adult lives. Children are encouraged to Inspection report for children’s home: SC480594 4 give back to the community, and one child who volunteers at a charity shop also raises money for the RSPCA through successful cake sales. Such opportunities, combined with the strong and trusting relationships that they have developed, increase children’s potential to succeed when the time comes to leave the home.

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outstanding

The staff work hard to keep children safe, and children said that they feel safe. Detailed individual support plans for each child guide staff practice and clarify what actions staff should take to safeguard children. These plans are regularly updated by managers and staff and consider the views of partner agencies and the children.

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outstanding

Staff have an exceptional understanding of how children’s feelings and experiences underpin their behaviours. As a result, staff provide targeted support to address previous trauma. This allows children to gain improved control over their own emotions, behaviours and, ultimately, their lives.

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, the use of physical intervention has reduced. Behaviours of concern have also considerably reduced. This is testimony to the highly skilled staff using their understanding of and relationships with children to help them feel safe and secure. Consequently, children are better equipped to manage overwhelming feelings in healthier ways.

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outstanding

All staff champion safeguarding practice and challenge each other in a supportive manner. This practice is supported by information sharing, which cascades relevant and up-to-date information among the staff team and is a valuable source of learning. The senior staff are also pivotal in broadening staff’s understanding and helping them to build on their already strong safeguarding practice.

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outstanding

The organisation’s commissioned specialist service provides the team with regular input related to research-informed practice. As a result, staff have an excellent understanding of trauma, attachment difficulties and harmful sexual behaviour. This helps staff to achieve remarkably strong bonds with children. Consequently, children feel emotionally supported by the staff.

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outstanding

Staff are not afraid to tackle sensitive subjects with the children. Staff use discussions to empower children and develop their knowledge. Consequently, children’s increased understanding encourages them to make positive choices in their own lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Exceptionally strong leadership and management help to create an environment in which children and staff flourish. The manager is highly respected by external professionals and the staff team. Children are extremely fond of her, and this is Inspection report for children’s home: SC480594 5 reciprocated. The manager’s influence and approach have created a nurturing and loving environment in which children make excellent progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The children’s views, wishes and feelings are central to the running of the home. Children have a sense of belonging, feel heard by staff and feel loved. This empowers children to have a voice. For some children, this is the first time in their lives that they feel that what they say matters.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager routinely collaborates with other professionals to ensure that children’s needs are met. Feedback from professionals indicates that the manager consistently has the children’s needs at the front and centre of her decision-making. At the last inspection, one child’s needs were exceeding what the staff could sufficiently support. However, the manager and the staff did not give up on this child. They continued to provide safety, security and care with boundaries Consequently, the child was able to remain at the home while appropriate plans for their move to supported accommodation were implemented and supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Placement plans and risk assessments are exceptionally detailed, reflective of guidance from the organisation’s commissioned therapists and clearly outline the support required for the children. The manager regularly reviews and evaluates risks and the strategies to manage them. The records give clear guidance to staff, detailing how to reduce the risks to children. The records match the staff’s understanding and are reflective of the practice in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Internal monitoring systems are excellent. The person who is responsible for the monthly monitoring of the home has exceptional relationships with the children. Children enjoy spending time with her and feel safe to confide in her. This external monitoring adds an additional layer of safety. The strength of her relationships with the children allows them to share their experiences of care with her freely. Inspection report for children’s home: SC480594 6

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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: SC480594 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Crystal Care Solutions Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bank House, Market Square, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1ET

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Inspector

Mark Dickinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC480594 8 regulates and inspects 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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