Children's home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC405977 1 SC405977 Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may have a variety of complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since August 2018. He holds a level 5 diploma in leadership and management and has suitable skills and experience to oversee the service.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC405977 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/04/2023 Full Good 13/07/2021 Full Outstanding 14/05/2019 Full Good 11/09/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC405977 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. One child has lived in the home for nearly four years. The other child has been living in the home for eight months. Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home and another child has moved in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s experiences of moving into the home are positive. The manager ensures that the process is well planned and child-focused. One child was visited by staff and enjoyed visits to the home before moving in. Additionally, the manager created a storybook to help reduce the child’s anxieties. This sensitive approach ensured that the child received nurture throughout the move, and they were well supported during a difficult time in their life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have secure and trusting relationships with staff. Staff talk to children with warmth and humour and use creative methods to obtain children’s views. For example, staff often communicate with one child through role play, using their teddies. Children are settled and feel well supported. Children say that they feel listened to, get on well with staff and enjoy living in the home. One child said, ‘The staff and manager are really nice and help me a lot; I wouldn’t be here without them.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s physical health needs are met. Children are registered with local health services and attend routine appointments. In addition, staff have a good understanding of children’s additional health needs. They are committed to, and advocate for, children receiving the appropriate level of care to support their physical development. Furthermore, there is an appointed therapist who provides weekly one-to-one support for children. Sessions are available to children whether they choose to attend or not. This approach means children’s physical and emotional health can improve over time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff give children’s education the highest priority. Children make significant progress from when they first move into the home. For example, a child has recently completed a qualification at college and is now waiting to start employment at a local nursery. When children experience barriers to learning, staff advocate for them in the way a good parent would. As a result, children continue to learn and to make good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to develop skills towards living independently. One child has a comprehensive plan that supports them to carry out daily routines and chores. The child’s progress is tracked each month by staff. The manager also has oversight of any progress. The child is also encouraged to acquire additional skills and is currently taking driving lessons. This supports the child to become more independent at a pace they are comfortable with. Inspection report for children’s home: SC405977 4 The manager and staff understand the importance of children spending time with people who are important to them, and encourage children to do so. Staff work hard to have positive relationships with the people who are important to children. They have a good understanding of family dynamics, and they support children’s relationships in line with their wishes.

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

Staff know children well. They are vigilant and professionally curious when they notice changes in children’s behaviour. Staff are empathetic to children’s feelings and help them to explore their emotions through reflective discussions. Because of this approach, children feel listened to. As a result, there are few incidents, and children feel safe in their environment.

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

Regular consultation with clinicians is used well and is effective in improving and developing staff’s practice. This allows staff to understand the reasons behind children’s behaviours and implement different strategies to meet their needs. This contributes towards a nurturing environment for children.

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

Incidents of restraint are managed well. Staff have a good understanding of children’s needs and triggers, and use de-escalation techniques to reduce risk where possible. Leaders and managers help children and staff to share their views after each incident. This means that incidents of restraint have been reduced, and that children are reassured and kept safe.

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

There have been several incidents when a child has gone missing from the home. These incidents related to a child who has now moved on from the home. When the child went missing, appropriate action was taken by staff, who actively searched for the child and worked with the police to ensure that they were found safe. Staff have a clear understanding of children’s risk assessments and follow appropriate protocols. Incidents of children going missing have been reduced significantly now that the child has moved on from the home.

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

There has been one complaint from a neighbour. Complaints are taken seriously and acted on by leaders and managers. Complainants are kept updated and provided with outcomes in appropriate timescales.

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

Consequences given to children are not always proportionate. The main consequence given to one child is to restrict their use of electronic devices. Staff have adopted this as a ‘go-to’ approach without considering if it is relevant to the behaviour displayed by the child. Furthermore, the manager has not reviewed the appropriateness of each consequence effectively or removed it when the child has taken responsibility for their actions. This does not support the home’s therapeutic approach. Inspection report for children’s home: SC405977 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is confident, ambitious and child-focused. He is a positive role model who places children at the centre of his practice. He takes pride in his relationships with children and in creating a family environment in the home. He ensures that children are given a voice and are actively listened to. This has resulted in children experiencing a sense of belonging and has contributed towards their progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about working in the home. They say, ‘The support from the manager is amazing.’ A core group of staff have worked in the home for several years. This means that any shortfalls in staffing are covered by the existing staff team, or by staff from other homes in the company, who are known to children. As a result, there is minimal impact on children, who receive consistent levels of care from staff they trust.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, reflective supervision and consistent support. Three staff members hold the required level 3 diploma, and staff receive a wide range of training that informs their practice and enables them to meet children’s individual needs. In addition, the manager is proactive in securing additional training from external sources to further inform staff’s knowledge and practice. This means children receive high-quality care from skilled and well-informed staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has excellent relationships with partner agencies, which ensures that children’s needs are met effectively. Feedback from external professionals is positive. One social worker described the support from managers and staff for their child as ‘fantastic’ and said, ‘They go above and beyond.’ Another external professional praised the manager’s and staff’s effective communication and said, ‘ They always provide up-to-date information.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager maintains good oversight of the home, using a range of reviewing and monitoring systems. These systems provide a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

However, in contrast to the above, the manager failed to recognise or review the appropriate use of alarm sensors to monitor children’s movements through the night. Children’s presenting risks have not been fully considered, and their views have not been secured. There has not been any multi-agency review to support the use of alarm sensors. One child said that they would prefer the alarm not to be in use. The use of alarm sensors has therefore impacted on this child’s experience. Inspection report for children’s home: SC405977 6

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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

No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable, or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child. (Regulation 19 (1))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that any consequences used to address poor behaviour are relative to the behaviour being displayed, restorative in nature and help children recognise the impact of their actions. 21 March 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are supported to express themselves as individuals and given an appropriate degree of freedom and choice in relation to day-to-day arrangements for their care, depending on their individual needs. Where a child’s preference cannot be met for safeguarding reasons, staff should discuss this with the child to help them understand why. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.21)

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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: SC405977 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fitzroy Academy, Cruckton, Shrewsbury SY5 8PR

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Inspector

Carl Wilton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC405977 8 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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