Children's home run by Shropshire Council

Inspection report for children’s home: SC370982 1 SC370982 Registered provider: Shropshire Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is one of six homes operated by a local authority. It recently amended its statement of purpose to offer short- to medium-term care for up to five children who experience social and emotional difficulties and have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered in November 2020 and holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC370982 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/01/2023 Full Outstanding 22/02/2022 Full Good 24/07/2019 Full Good 11/03/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC370982 3

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outstanding

Leaders and managers place significant importance on the relationships they build with children. One child said, ‘I love all the staff.’ This platform supports children to make exceptional and sustained progress in their lives. Staff understand the positive impact that sharing close and trusting relationships with children can have on their experience and progress. Additionally, staff provide consistent and individualised support to meet children’s needs. The quality of the relationships and support significantly enhances children’s life chances.

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outstanding

Children leaving the home have extremely positive experiences. Staff work with children and professionals to allow children to lead and take ownership of their plans. Staff also remain in touch with children after they have moved on. Children appreciate the support they receive and have sent cards and letters to show their thanks and appreciation. One child was also taken on a holiday abroad as part of their moving plan. This was to allow for a positive ending but also to support them with their emotions about leaving. This child-centred approach contributes significantly to children having positive and successful moves.

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outstanding

Children have exceptionally well-planned moves into the home. The manager ensures that the process is well planned and child-focused. The children are visited by staff and enjoy visits to the home before moving in. Staff sensitively introduce them to other children already living in the home, and they work with them to alleviate any concerns or anxieties they may have. This allows children to quickly settle and provides a base for children to make positive and sustained progress.

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outstanding

Staff work in partnership with children’s schools. They maintain excellent communication with education professionals, which contributes to the progress that children make. When children experience barriers to learning, staff advocate for them in the way a good parent would. For example, managers and staff advocated for a child when they might have been moved back a year due to a history of non- attendance and lack of engagement. This support allowed the child to achieve multiple GCSEs.

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outstanding

Staff meet children’s health needs exceptionally well. Healthy diets and attendance at routine health appointments promote good physical health. One child was struggling with managing their diagnosed health condition, which had led to several placement breakdowns. Managers and staff were proactive in understanding the diagnosis to ensure the best support for the child. Specific, targeted work was completed alongside health professionals to help the child better manage their health condition. This exceptional support has helped them to return to foster care.

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outstanding

Children are listened to, and their feedback is acted on. One child who recently left the home was supported to give feedback on their lived experiences in care. This Inspection report for children’s home: SC370982 4 was delivered to senior leaders within the local authority. As a result, significant changes have been made and continue to be made in respect of the care provided to children and the language used by the people caring for them. These changes have positively impacted on children currently living in the care of the local authority and beyond.

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outstanding

Staff are creative in the way they consult with children. A monthly newsletter is produced focusing on children’s experiences. Photos and personalised messages are captured in the newsletter, adding to children’s positive experiences. Children have also recently been involved in activities to raise money for charity. One child participated in a cake sale, and another child did a 10-kilometre run.

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outstanding

Children feel safe because of the quality of relationships they have with staff. As a result, they can share any concerns or worries they may have. Highly effective and robust planning identifies potential risks and ensures that staff manage them well. Furthermore, children are involved in and contribute towards their own plans. This means that children are protected well and feel safe.

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outstanding

Staff use a therapeutic and restorative approach to managing children’s emotions. Strategies grounded in research and a clear understanding of relationship-based practice underpin the staff’s approach. Furthermore, consultations, learning and reflection with the therapist are regular, used extremely well and help further develop staff practice. As a result, incidents requiring physical restraint with children are rare. However, when restraint is used, it is always the least restrictive measure, meaning it is safe and proportionate.

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outstanding

Leaders and managers respond sensitively and effectively when children make allegations against staff. The responses to complaints and allegations are excellent. Leaders ensure they share all the information and work closely with external professionals. Children are always consulted and able to share their views. Follow-up work and protocols are created and put in place when needed. When shortfalls are identified, leaders and managers take appropriate action. As a result, children feel valued, listened to and their well-being is promoted.

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outstanding

Staff respond exceptionally well when managing incidents. There have been occasions when one child caused harm to themselves. During these incidents, staff took swift and effective action. Immediate strategies were put in place to ensure that the child is kept safe. Staff work alongside health professionals and mental health services to implement safety plans to ensure that the child receives the appropriate support. This helps children to feel safe and well cared for.

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outstanding

Children do not go missing from the home. Since the last inspection, in January 2023, no children have gone missing. Despite this, staff ensure that there are regularly reviewed and updated protocols in all children’s individual plans. Inspection report for children’s home: SC370982 5 Additionally, staff know the actions they should take if a child should go missing from the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is inspirational, confident, ambitious and child-focused. He spends time with children and values the relationships he has with them. He confidently advocates for children when needed and speaks fondly of their experiences, progress and achievements. The manager remains committed to ensuring that improvements are continually made. This outstanding practice supports the children to feel safe and helps them to keep thriving and making exceptional progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and the responsible individual continue to work closely and maintain a strong presence in the home. Oversight of the home is constant and ongoing. The manager has implemented various monitoring systems that allow managers and staff to review the quality of care provided to children effectively. This approach ensures that managers can quickly address any issues and that improvements are continually made to enhance children’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers promote continuity of care for children. The home has a diverse core team of staff who are experienced and highly skilled. Turnover of staff is minimal. Staff departures from the home have been managed extremely well, ensuring minimal impact on the children. Staff morale remains high, and they are positive about the nurturing support they receive from the manager. The stability and expertise of the staff team contribute to achieving excellent outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision sessions are regular and of a high quality. They help staff reflect on their practice and heavily focus on children’s experiences and progress. Staff are well trained, and nine of the staff hold a suitable qualification. Additionally, they undertake a wide range of training, which is specifically identified to meet the children’s needs. The therapist also disseminates training and research to the team during regular team meetings and group supervision. Staff then incorporate this learning into practice. As a result, children receive care from highly skilled and knowledgeable staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is integral to planning children’s care. As a result, he has developed excellent relationships with families and other agencies. Feedback received was exceptionally positive. One parent said, ‘There is nowhere else I would want my child to live, other than at home.’ A professional said, ‘Staff really care about the children who live in the home.’ A second professional said, ‘I can’t speak highly enough of the home; they help and support me with my child and help to put things in place. They understand their needs incredibly well.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC370982 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: SC370982 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND

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Inspector

Carl Wilton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC370982 8 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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