Children's home run by Homes2Inspire Limited

Inspection report children's home: 2534696 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by a private company that is owned and operated by a national charity. It provides care for up to two children who may have emotional and social needs.

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Information about this children's home

There is one child living at the home currently.

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Information about this children's home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that serious child protection allegations were being investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the allegation were considered (where appropriate) alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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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 children's home: 2534696 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/08/2022 Full Good 28/07/2021 Full Good 25/11/2019 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2534696 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living at the home has recently been supported to see their family for the first time in several years. This was following the child expressing that family time was something they were keen to re-establish. Staff have facilitated several opportunities for the child to connect with family both face to face and online. Staff recognise the importance of this network of support being nurtured, especially as the child prepares for a potential move into independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care plans are comprehensive and inform staff about the child’s needs and how they can best support them. The manager has worked hard to ensure that staff understand the practical steps they need to take to help the child make progress in their care. Consequently, there have been positive changes in the child’s behaviours within the home recently. They are now better able to regulate their emotions, and this has resulted in a reduction of destructive behaviours in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care plans do not include important contextual information about the child's historical experiences that inform and influence their behaviours. Also, plans do not include information about the child's sexuality and identity, an area that the child is currently exploring. Staff are not therefore prompted to reflect on areas of the child’s care that may need a more nuanced response or where progress is less quantifiable.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has regular opportunities to engage in good quality one to one discussions with staff. Staff show a willingness to discuss more sensitive topics with the child, particularly where this will enhance their safety. This has included exploration of safe relationships and recognising signs of grooming. As a result, the child is now better able to recognise risk and is open with staff about discussing their worries.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has a place at an alternative education provision, tailored to their interests. Unfortunately, engagement and attendance at this provision has reduced recently. Professionals spoken to were positive about the staff’s proactive approach to encourage education and learning. They have liaised appropriately with the local virtual school, recognising that it is important to have him engaged with learning before he transitions from the home.

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

The manager and staff are well attuned to the child. They have recently trusted their instincts, and this has meant they have been able to act decisively and proactively to a safeguarding concern. This helped to keep the child safe and identified a new, presenting risk to the child. Internal investigations happened quickly, are thorough, and reflect on the lessons that can be learnt. Inspection report children's home: 2534696 4 The child has recently been given the opportunity to spend time away from the home on holiday, this was valued by the child. Time away from the home has helped them to have the space to reflect upon some difficult recent experiences and for staff to complete important safety work with the child.

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

The manager works effectively with professionals to ensure there is an appropriate team around the child. The collaborative work with the Youth Offending Team has helped the child to understand the consequences of their actions, own some of their decisions and understand the impact of criminality.

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

The child's missing episodes have reduced recently. When the child does go missing staff respond effectively to this and proactively search the local area. Often the child will return to the home of their own accord or following encouragement from staff. The child is beginning to understand their vulnerabilities when in the community and is choosing to spend longer periods alongside staff in the home.

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

Staff understand the child’s vulnerability to be sexually exploited. They work closely with specialised professionals to track and understand incidents of concern. Practice in the home has been adapted to offer further support to the child both when in the community and during the night when the child is particularly at risk. The manager ensures that staff are adaptive and flexible to respond to the child’s risk-taking behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is run by an ambitious and thoughtful manager. She has supported the team through a challenging period in the home, whilst prioritising the changing needs of the child. As a result, staff like working at the home and feel well supported to progress within the company. Staff have proven themselves to be resilient and tenacious in their approach to their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is strong oversight of the home which the manager also effectively delegates to senior staff members where appropriate. An established improvement plan helps the manager to focus on specific tasks in the day to day running of the home to improve practice. The manager has provided a regulation 45 report to Ofsted which is of good quality. This evidences that the manager can evaluate the progress of the child and the impact of the care offered by the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff come together regularly in team meetings; these lead with discussions about the child and focus on specific areas of practice and how these can be developed. These help to make the meetings feel useful and productive for the staff. The manager is comfortable to challenge staff where required and is a strong advocate for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are offered a package of training which prepares them well for their role within the home. Some staff were not however up to date with their mandatory training. More bespoke training, tailored to the needs of the child, has not been offered to staff and this could limit their confidence to address certain topics with them. Inspection report children's home: 2534696 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure care offered meets each child's needs and promotes their welfare, taking into account of the child's gender, religion, ethnicity, cultural and linguistic background, sexual identity, mental health, any disability, their assessed needs, previous experiences and any relevant plans. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 14, paragraph 3.2)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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 children's home: 2534696 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Homes 2 Inspire Limited, Lumonics House, Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby CV21 1TQ

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Craig Whitchurch

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Inspector

Louise Copping, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: 2534696 7 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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