Children's home run by Prosperity Children’s Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2700241 1 SC2700241 Registered provider: Prosperity Children’s Services 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. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered in August 2023. This was the home’s first inspection since registration. The registered manager post has been vacant since November 2023.

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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: 2700241 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have begun to develop positive relationships with staff. They benefit from nurturing, child-centred care that enables them to develop a sense of safety in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s plans are personalised and demonstrate that their views and wishes are considered. However, not all children have up-to-date statutory care plans to help inform their care. This does not ensure that children are receiving support in line with their statutory plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is promoted. Before living in the home, both children had not been in education for a prolonged period. One child was supported to move to mainstream school. They have since been excluded and are being educated at home. Another child is on a personalised timetable at an alternative education provision. The home is liaising with professionals to ensure that both children successfully move to schools that are able to support their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the children’s emotional and physical health needs and encourage them to attend regular health appointments. However, there have been missed opportunities to complete the actions from one child’s health plan. This has resulted in a delayed referral to an orthodontist, and there is no record of their immunisation history. This does not ensure that children are accessing the services they require or that their health needs are being met. This is something that the manager has now taken action to address.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a variety of activities, such as going to the gym, magnet fishing and being outdoors. Staff have encouraged the children to attend groups of interest and one child was excited to start Scouts. This will support them in establishing friendships and developing social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff team support the children by capturing fun activities and important events in their lives in memory books. This helps the children to understand their journey.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children live in a large, modern and well-appointed family home. However, delays in repairing leaking windows, replacing a child’s wardrobe and redecorating a bedroom ceiling following a leak detract from the homely environment. In addition, bathrooms do not all have privacy glass. This does not ensure the privacy of children, staff and visitors.

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

Allegations of abuse are managed in line with safeguarding procedures. Children are supported and all relevant professionals are made aware. Inspection report for children’s home: 2700241 3 There have been instances when it has been necessary to hold children to keep them safe. The manager has evaluated the effectiveness of the measures and children and staff have been given the opportunity to reflect.

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

Missing-from-home incidents do not occur frequently. Staff understand children’s known risks and are clear about what action they must take when a child goes missing. There are clear plans in place and children have the opportunity to take part in independent return home interviews.

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

Before children move into the home, their risks are not fully considered alongside the needs of those children already living there. This has resulted in conflict between children and children being upset and unsettled. The manager has taken action to address children’s behaviours and is liaising with the children’s social workers to improve dynamics between children.

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

Historically, children’s risk plans lacked detail and did not include clear strategies for staff to follow to keep children safe. The manager has implemented changes to children’s plans. They are now of good quality, detail all known risks to children and contain clear strategies for staff to support children and keep them safe.

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

There is positive multi-agency working. The manager liaises closely with the local police and partner agencies to ensure that information is shared to support safe working practices, keeping children safe in the home and when out in the community.

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

Direct work is carried out with children. They are supported to understand how their behaviour affects others, how to manage their emotions and how to make safer choices. When children have been resistant to engaging with staff, the manager has requested support from partner agencies to visit the home, support staff and educate the children. This ensures that all children are given the opportunity to engage in safety discussions.

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

Recruitment checks are robust. All new staff are suitably vetted in line with safer recruitment guidelines before they start work in the home. This promotes safe working practices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An experienced manager has now joined the team. She has submitted an application to register with Ofsted. Staff and external professionals spoke positively about the changes made by the new manager and staff are complimentary about the support they now receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals are positive about the progress children make. One said, ‘[Name of child] has made excellent progress. The team is brilliant and there has been a huge difference since the manager came. She is nurturing and child-centred.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2700241 4 The new manager has quickly identified several areas for development in the home. For example, she has identified gaps in training and held workshops, devised resources and arranged additional training for staff on issues such as self-harm, behaviour management and support to embed the provider’s model of care. However, not all staff have completed training specific to children’s risks and vulnerabilities. This does not ensure that children are supported by a knowledgeable and confident staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

As a result of the change in manager, there is now improved oversight. The manager has completed a detailed audit of the home’s records and identified a number of shortfalls. She has taken swift action to address these.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An independent person visits the home each month. These visits are to check the quality of care and the progress and experiences of children. The manager has challenged the quality of this service and the provider has now commissioned a new external visitor. This change has only recently come into effect and the impact is currently limited.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions. Records are detailed and encourage staff development. The manager has introduced end-of-shift reflection records, a further opportunity for staff to reflect on their practice, to highlight successes and achievements and to identify any learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are used to share detailed information about the children and to reflect on their progress. The meetings take place regularly and provide further opportunities to drive improvement in the home. The manager has held reporting and recording workshops for staff and has invited external professionals to support and educate staff on safeguarding practices. Inspection report for children’s home: 2700241 5

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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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)(a)(i)(iii)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that staff complete all training specific to children’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. In addition, that repairs are carried out without delay and that bathroom windows are suitably covered to ensure that privacy for children, staff and visitors is maintained. 2 April 2024

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and 2 April 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2700241 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is registered as a patient with a general medical practitioner and a registered dental practitioner; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that there is a record of children’s immunisation history, that children are supported to attend all relevant health appointments and that referrals to specialists are made without delay.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that statutory care plans are in place for all children living in the home. 2 April 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2700241 7

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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: 2700241 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Prosperity Children’s Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 8 Mercury Rise, Altham Business Park, Altham, Accrington BB5 5BY

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Inspector

Kelly McCurdy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2700241 9 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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