Children's Home run by WiNurture Childcare Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2700591 1 Registered provider: Winurture Childcare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home that provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2022.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

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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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 17 January 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2700591 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2700591 3

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outstanding

There were four children living at the home at time of the inspection. The children are all settled and flourishing. One child has moved on from the home since the last inspection, which was a planned return back to their family. One child has moved to the home.

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outstanding

The staff provide outstanding care to children. They have built trusting relationships with children. Children can name staff they feel able to talk to. When a child identified that they did not have a relationship with one member of staff, plans were put in place to build this relationship.

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outstanding

The children all attend education. One child had not attended education for about a year before moving to the home. The child now engages in home tutoring and some learning in the community. The manager advocated for education plans and remains committed to challenging the lack of a school place for this child. Another child was supported to travel to college independently. This means they have developed life skills and their confidence.

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outstanding

Children make extensive progress. The manager monitors children’s progress in regular progress reports. Children have made progress in their confidence, social skills and ability to manage their emotions. One child said they feel better in themselves after being supported to join the gym and improve their fitness. A therapeutic consultant is accessed by staff to discuss how best to support the children. This helps staff to provide personalised care to children to aid their progress.

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outstanding

Children’s moves to the home are well supported. A transition plan was implemented for a child’s move. However, the manager identified that information about the child’s behaviours had been missing from the referral. The manager challenged the local authority about this, and the transition plan was adapted. This led to a successful move to the home.

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outstanding

Staff support children’s interests. Children take part in a range of activities. One child struggles with group activities so staff support them to attend individual basketball coaching. Another child has learned to play the piano. This child has a piano in their bedroom to support this interest. When this child was ready to access therapy, music therapy was sourced as this was in line with their interests.

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outstanding

The home environment is large and welcoming. The children are included in deciding on decoration and changes to the home. A sensory room has been adapted in line with the children’s wishes. There are photos around the home of the children and staff. This creates a homely environment for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2700591 4

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outstanding

The manager and staff understand children’s behaviours and risks. Risk assessments and placement plans are comprehensive. Children are involved in updating these documents. Children identify what strategies work well for them. This means staff can provide consistent support to children in a way they request.

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outstanding

Staff support children to understand their risks. Staff are creative with their support. For one child who struggles to understand the impact of their actions, staff completed a visual activity to support this understanding. A staff member identified a need for a key-work club focusing on a range of topics. An external professional delivers these sessions. This gives children the opportunity to discuss these topics in an open, honest way with someone external to the home. It also helps children to develop their confidence and relationships with other adults.

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outstanding

There have been no missing-from-home episodes. When a child leaves the home without agreement, staff follow and encourage them to return home. Positive relationships between staff and children support this to be effective.

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outstanding

The staff rarely use restraint. Restraints are proportionate and used to keep children and staff safe. De-escalation skills are used to prevent restraints from being required.

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outstanding

Allegations against staff are investigated promptly. Investigations take place, and the local authority designated officer is informed. Following the conclusion of investigations, mediation takes place to repair any relationships. There was one incident where the notification to Ofsted was delayed. However, this did not impact on children’s safety or other actions taken by the provider.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is experienced and qualified. He is aspirational and ambitious for the children. The deputy manager is equally committed and enthusiastic. Staff talk positively about the support the manager provides.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a stable staff team. No staff have left since the home opened. This means children are provided with care by consistent adults who they know. Staff are passionate about their roles. They are dedicated to supporting the children and celebrate their successes. This creates a positive culture at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals and families talk positively about the support provided to children. They say communication from staff is good. Professionals describe staff as being proactive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Community work is a focus of the managers. The manager and responsible individual are passionate about changing people’s views on children’s homes. They also know the benefits to children of being part of their local community. The Inspection report for children’s home: 2700591 5 children and staff plan regular events that neighbours are invited to. A Christmas party and family fun day were both successes, which the children and local community all enjoyed. Staff bring their own families to these events to support the community ethos that the home provides.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular, detailed supervision sessions. Appraisals take place annually and include feedback from others to support staff members to understand their skills and areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings and learning circles take place regularly to support staff development. Research and external resources are used to support staff skills and knowledge. Staff are motivated to develop their skills and access additional training where required. Inspection report for children’s home: 2700591 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that notifications to Ofsted are made promptly if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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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: 2700591 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Winurture Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 8 Cheyne Walk, Northampton NN1 5PT

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Inspector

Leanne Lyon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2700591 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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