Children's home run by Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2542024 1 Registered provider: Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2019, and the manager registered in August 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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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: 28 February 2023

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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: 2542024 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/02/2023 Full Good 01/03/2022 Full Good 19/02/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff develop positive and supportive relationships built on trust and affection with the children they care for. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of children’s individual needs. This helps staff to meet children’s needs well. One family member said, ‘All staff really know [name of child] well; they all know [name of child]’s quirks and charms.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a relaxed atmosphere and is decorated nicely. The manager and staff have created an environment where children feel listened to and can express their wishes and feelings freely. One child said, ‘I feel safe and would speak to staff if I had any worries.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to become more independent and develop new skills, depending on their age and understanding. Staff encourage children to tidy their bedrooms and identify foods they like. Staff support children with nutrition and healthy eating, including shopping for ingredients and helping to prepare meals. This helps to promote children’s independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access a range of activities, both inside and outside the home. Activities include horse-riding, boxing, baking and walking. This encourages children to pursue hobbies and interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff promote children’s education. There is good information- sharing between staff and the children’s education providers. The manager remains persistent in their attempt to fully engage children in education and is supporting one child during their transition to a new school. This has led to improved educational attainment and attendance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff have good communication with family members. This provides children with a support network where they feel safe to maintain relationships with people who matter the most to them. One family member said, ‘I love the fact that staff include me. I feel very much in the loop, and my input is taken on board.’

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

Staff take the time to listen to children and help them understand their emotions. There are clear routines and boundaries, which children understand and respond to well. This helps the children to manage their behaviours more effectively.

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

Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Children’s risk assessments are regularly updated and reviewed. Staff communicate regularly with children about any concerns and risky behaviours, which helps children understand how to keep themselves safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 4 There have been two occasions when the use of physical intervention was necessary. The manager evaluates physical interventions, ensuring that they are proportionate, and reflection is completed with staff and children. There has been one missing-from-home incident. Staff have a good understanding of the missing- from-home procedures.

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

Positive recognition and praise outweigh negative consequences. The manager evaluates consequences, ensuring that they are proportionate and restorative.

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

There is good multi-agency working. The manager and staff work closely with professionals and family members to ensure that children receive appropriate support. One family member said, ‘We work together as a team for what’s best for [name of child].’

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

Staff are provided with regular mandatory training as well as other identified areas of training. Training includes first aid, fire safety, autism awareness, understanding behaviour, self-harm and safeguarding. This ensures that staff have the skills to support children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. The manager and staff speak about the children with warmth and enthusiasm. Staff advocate well for the children in all aspects of their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff maintain good levels of communication with other professionals. One social worker said, ‘Communication from [member of staff] is fantastic. Staff will email me whenever they need to share information.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager holds regular team meetings that are well attended and supported by the therapeutic consultant. These provide opportunities for the staff to reflect on and develop their practice and ensure that they remain child-focused.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they feel supported by the manager. One staff member said, ‘[Name of manager] helps and directs me.’ Staff receive regular supervision sessions. These provide opportunities for the staff to reflect on and develop their practice and ways to support the children. However, staff completing supervisions are not suitably qualified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has close oversight of children’s progress and any changes needed. Internal and external monitoring of the home are effective. However, the location risk assessment could be further enhanced by seeking consultation from relevant people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development based on the home’s statement of purpose. However, the statement of purpose does not include all required information. Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 5

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Statutory requirement

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 registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. (Regulation 16 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the statement of purpose includes a description of the accommodation; details of who to contact if a person has a complaint about the home and how that person can access the home’s complaints policy; and d etails of how a person, body or organisation involved in the care or protection of a child can access the home’s child protection policies or the behaviour management policy. 5 April 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home. When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and consider the views of, each relevant person. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  The registered person should ensure that systems are in place so that all staff receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 2542024 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Houldsworth Business Centre, Houldsworth Street, Stockport SK5 6DA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Ashley O’Leary-Jones

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Inspector

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 7 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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