Children's home run by 4TH Care Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738777 1 Registered provider: 4TH Care Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide residential short breaks for children with learning disabilities. Children can attend for short breaks in small groups of up to three children.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is a permeant registered manager at the home, who is experienced and qualified.

p.1

Inspection date: 8 March 2024

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

Inspection date: 8 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

Inspection date: 8 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738777 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

This home registered in July 2023. No children accessed the service until March 2024. One child has very recently started to stay at the home for short breaks.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The provider has recently been taken over by an umbrella organisation. Before this, there has been a lack of support and guidance for the manager in working to make the service operational. The manager is now supported by the wider organisation and progress is being made towards more children staying at the home for short breaks. The manager now benefits from being a part of a wider management team. This provides them with development opportunities and peer support.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There is a small staff team at the home. There have been several changes since the home registered. The prolonged period of not being operational and subsequent change of ownership have affected staff retention. Recruitment is ongoing and staff can work at the home from across the wider organisation if necessary.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff have received training to equip them for their roles, including specialist training on topics such as epilepsy care and administration of medication. The manager has assessed staff for competency following training. Staff are trained in a range of safeguarding topics.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff have had some supervision. However, there has been a lack of consistency in the approach to this, and actions following supervision are not clear or reviewed. This has not promoted staff’s well-being or development. The manager has not received regular or consistent supervision.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

One child is now accessing short breaks at the home. There has been a well-planned introduction to the home. The manager gathered information about the child’s care needs from those who know them best. Introductory visits helped the child to settle at their first overnight break. The manager has built a good relationship with the parents by having several meetings and open communication. This has helped them to build trust and confidence in the care staff provide for their child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child’s plans detail their care needs and how staff must care for them, including their likes and dislikes. The child’s risks are also set out in their plans. As a result, staff understand what actions to take to keep children safe. The number of staff needed to provide safe care to the child is clear. However, plans do not detail where surveillance monitors are going to be used. Managers have not obtained explicit consent for this or made arrangements for this to be reviewed.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff are trained to help children manage behaviours that may harm themselves or others. Staff understand and apply strategies such as redirection and distraction to Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738777 3 reduce the risk of harm to children from their behaviours. Staff are trained to physically intervene to manage the risk of harm where necessary.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The home environment is set up to meet children’s needs and provides a pleasant space. The decor is child friendly and colourful, and there is a range of toys and activities. The home is prepared with many resources to aid children’s communication, to help make their needs and choices known. Resources are in place to help children give feedback on their short breaks.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The manager is motivated to continue to develop the home with the aim for this to be fully operational and providing enjoyable short breaks for a larger number of children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738777 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.4

Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

p.4

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c)) 24 May 2024

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should have a written policy that describes how monitoring equipment in the home will support the safeguarding and well-being of those living and working in the home in accordance with Regulation 24. The home must obtain written consent from the placing authority for any monitoring or surveillance at the time of placement and keep the need for this under review. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.16) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738777 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 115 to 119, C/o Erdingsworth Business and Tax Advisors Limited, Fort Dunlop Fort Parkway, Birmingham B24 9FE

p.5

Inspector

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738777 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6