Children's home run by Sunrise Hill Care North Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2593579 1 Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were four children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in August 2020. The manager registered in July 2023.

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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: 7 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: 2593579 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/02/2023 Full Good 16/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2593579 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are cared for by a stable and dedicated team of staff, who are committed to helping children reach their potential. Children’s needs, risks, strengths and vulnerabilities are well understood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some children have experienced a number of moves before coming to the home. For other children, it is their first time living away from their family. Staff understand how difficult moving home can be for children. The registered manager and staff team work hard to help children settle and feel valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are creative in engaging children in activities they will enjoy. They take time to find out each child’s interests. A recent trip to the ice rink with one child inspired a member of staff to buy his own skates. The hope is this will be an activity they can continue to enjoy together. Staff plan activities the children will enjoy, including going to the cinema, ice skating and cooking sessions. Staff also encourage children to make use of the outdoor gym in the garden.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There has been variable progress in supporting children to return to school. One child is currently taking a plumbing course. The child said they appreciated the support that staff had given them to return to education. The leadership and management team has worked hard to establish links with schools. Some children have been out of education for a while. One child’s education health and care plan had not been reviewed, and there was very little information about their learning needs. A focused review of children’s learning needs and barriers to education will help to promote a successful return to school, although this is not currently in place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are registered with health professionals and attend appointments without delay. Staff talk to the children about healthy eating, the importance of a good routine and exercise.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children maintain their family relationships. They support children with their family-time arrangements, including overnight visits. A weekly call is scheduled with each child’s family to keep them updated about the child’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work hard to build constructive, warm relationships with children and talk to the children to ensure that positive behaviour is reinforced. When needed, the ratio of staff to children is increased.

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

Risk assessments are clear and detailed. Staff use planned and informal discussions as an effective way of speaking with children about risks. Staff plan sessions well and children are supported to build a trusting relationship with their key worker. In addition, children are supported to have a mentor or advocate. Inspection report for children’s home: 2593579 4 Staff have a good understanding of contextual safeguarding and the risks posed to children in the community. Staff manage risks appropriately. The manager and deputy manager have worked at the home for several years. They know the community well and their knowledge about effective specialist services is strong. This means that children are linked to support services without delay.

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

Staff are suitably trained to use physical intervention. However, there have been very few incidents of restraint since the last inspection. There is a robust missing- from-home protocol in place. The management and staff team are successful at working with children to reduce episodes of them going missing when this is a concern. Staff tend to reward children’s positive behaviour, rather than using consequences when things have gone wrong.

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

The management and leadership team have identified that they will focus further on assessing the impact on the group dynamic when a new child moves into the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a consistent presence in the home, actively modelling the care that he wants to see the staff deliver. The manager’s hands-on approach is appreciated by the staff and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership and management team has a good understanding of safeguarding concerns and responds appropriately to ensure that the children and staff are safeguarded. The manager liaises with others, such as social workers, the local authority designated officer and parents, to promote an open and transparent approach to safeguarding.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A comprehensive staff induction programme and learning opportunities ensure that new staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to care for children effectively. The induction programme is monitored by the manager and feedback is provided to staff on their performance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision and team meetings are used effectively. The children’s needs are discussed and goals are set for the staff. The manager recognises the importance of supporting staff to reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External feedback from professionals about the care provided to the children is positive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2593579 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand barriers to learning, and regularly review and update plans. Staff in children’s homes will play a key role in supporting children in line with their personal education plan or EHC plan and recommendations from education and health professionals. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.3)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand the child’s relationship history and the impact that the child’s arrival may have on the group living in the home. Staff should understand, for each child, what the placing authority has recorded in the relevant plan as an appropriate level of contact with family and friends. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 38, paragraph 8.3)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2593579 6

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Stellakis Miltiadous

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Inspector

Matilda Clode, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2593579 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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