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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2507361 1 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 and provides care for up to two children who have faced adverse childhood experiences. The registered manager is suitably experienced and holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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Inspection dates: 6 and 7 February 2024

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people, taking into account outstanding

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Inspection dates: 6 and 7 February 2024

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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Inspection dates: 6 and 7 February 2024

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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Inspection dates: 6 and 7 February 2024

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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Inspection dates: 6 and 7 February 2024

Date of last inspection: 28 February 2023

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Inspection dates: 6 and 7 February 2024

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Inspection dates: 6 and 7 February 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2507361 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/02/2023 Full Outstanding 08/11/2021 Full Outstanding 29/01/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2507361 3

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home and one child has moved in. At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

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outstanding

The children receive high-quality, consistent care from staff who follow the home’s model of care. This enables staff to provide care that is attuned to children’s individual needs. Staff speak warmly and enthusiastically about children living in the home. Staff are exceptionally committed to children and provide help and support to them so that they can achieve their full potential.

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outstanding

There is a whole-team approach to supporting children, including those who have the most challenging needs. Staff share ideas to identify solutions to support children when they are experiencing difficulties. The staff team was observed holding in-depth discussions about how it would support a child struggling with their sleep. The manager and staff also seek support from the clinical team for guidance. This practice supports children to make progress while living at the home.

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outstanding

Staff have high aspirations for children in respect of their education. They work alongside partner agencies to identify the correct settings for children based on their individual needs. When children find school difficult, staff support them and identify ways they can engage with learning. Staff also understand the importance of consulting with children about their education. This supports professionals to identify a plan suited to the children’s individual needs. Children have made significant progress in education, and for one child their attendance has increased dramatically. Even when children are unable to attend school, staff remain highly consistent in their expectations and this means that children continue to learn.

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outstanding

The home is beautifully decorated and maintained to an exceptionally high standard. This provides the children with a relaxing, family environment where they feel safe. Children’s bedrooms are well presented, personalised and in keeping with their own individual interests.

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outstanding

While living at the home, children excel in every area of their development and there are sustained improvements from their starting points. For example, one child was supported to achieve their desired care plan, which was previously not possible due to the child’s difficulties with emotional regulation.

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outstanding

Children are encouraged to try a range of activities and pursue their individual interests. One child had limited hobbies and interests. However, the nurturing approach provided by staff has enabled the child to discover new hobbies, engage in imaginative play and experience new opportunities to socialise with peers. Children regularly receive certificates for their efforts, and their achievements are celebrated by staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2507361 4 When children are ready to leave the home, staff ensure that they are well prepared. The manager advocates strongly for them if unsuitable plans are made, or if a child wishes to live in a particular setting. Children’s trusting relationships with staff mean that they experience highly positive endings and they have maintained contact with staff after leaving the home.

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outstanding

Staff understand children’s risks. They are highly trained, knowledgeable and use research to inform their practice. Staff can identify ways to support children and reduce their risks. Staff involve children in discussions about ways to help them. This enables children to be well supported and reduces incidents when children are at risk of harm.

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outstanding

Children in this home are safe. Incidents when children go missing from the home are rare. If children do go missing, staff respond immediately and follow missing- from-home protocols. They use creative ways to support the child’s return home. This reduces the length of time that children go missing. When children return, they are sensitively welcomed home and staff do follow-up work with them to educate them about potential risks.

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outstanding

Children moving into the home are sensitively and thoughtfully welcomed. Highly effective planning by the manager enables staff to understand the children’s needs and risks. Staff practice is trauma informed. As a result, children settle quickly.

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outstanding

Staff ensure that children’s plans are regularly updated following significant incidents and that risk assessments include all known risks. Staff are proactive and regularly review their plans. This is supported through regular discussion amongst the staff team.

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outstanding

Physical restraint is rarely used. On the occasions when it is used, it is only when absolutely necessary. Staff know how to de-escalate children’s behaviours when they are heightened. They have good understanding of children’s needs and can prevent escalation of incidents. If a restraint takes place, there is timely review by the manager and children are offered the opportunity to share their wishes and feelings. Staff work hard to repair relationships following any restraint and are successful in this.

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outstanding

Staff build trusting relationships with children, which helps them to feel safe. Staff respond consistently to children’s behaviour. This means that children understand the rules and boundaries that are in place to keep them safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2507361 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an experienced and dedicated manager in post who is highly ambitious for children. The manager understands children’s needs and, as a result, children make tremendous progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Strong monitoring systems are in place, which give the manager an in-depth understanding of the home. The manager identifies areas for development related to children’s care. They ensure that staff training is in line with children’s individual needs, including in the home’s model of practice. In addition to their own monitoring systems, the manager welcomes external audits, which are an additional tool to review the quality of care. The manager’s use of monitoring processes has resulted in continuous improvements in the quality of care offered to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings occur regularly. They are creative and actively review the progress of children. There is an agenda that promotes staff development. This approach brings the team together. Staff morale is high and there is a shared commitment to improving the lives of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff retention is good. This provides children with consistent care. When new staff start at the home, they are safely recruited with all necessary checks in place prior to commencing in their work with children. New staff have the advantage of a robust induction and training plan, which lasts for 24 weeks. This plan is diverse and offers staff varied opportunities to enhance their learning. The manager has created a culture whereby every member of the staff team is encouraged to develop and succeed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

As well as mandatory training, child-specific training is provided. This supports staff to better understand children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No shortfalls were identified at this inspection and no requirements or recommendations were made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2507361 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: 2507361 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

Charlotte Love, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2507361 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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Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted Inspection report for children’s home: 2507361 9

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