Children's Home run by Parallel Parents Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2747256 1 Registered provider: Parallel Parents Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to three children who may have social or emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home was registered on 22 December 2023.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2023 and is suitably experienced.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is the first full inspection of the home.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

Good

How well children and young people are helped and protected Good

p.1

Good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers Good

p.1

Good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

Good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

Good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

Good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2747256 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home was registered with Ofsted, one child moved in and has recently moved on. At the time of the inspection, no children were living in the home.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child moved into the home in an unplanned way; however, the move was managed well, and the child settled in quickly.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s move on from the home was managed equally well. Staff accompanied the child to visit their new home, providing support and guidance throughout the process. The child enjoyed a farewell meal with staff and was given goodbye presents and cards, creating positive memories of their time in the home.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child made good progress because of the care they received and was able to move out of the home in line with their plan. Staff knew the child well and built trusting and meaningful relationships with them. Staff understood the child’s starting points and celebrated their progress and achievements. The child said that they liked everything about the home and got on well with all the staff. As a result, the child felt valued and respected.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child was supported to develop their independence skills. Staff encouraged the child to make simple meals and keep their bedroom clean and tidy. These tasks helped the child to become more independent in preparation for adult life.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefited from a range of activities. These included playing football, boxing and going swimming. In addition to this, the child enjoyed day trips to nearby Royal Air Force centres and the seaside. Taking part in activities supported the child to learn new skills, have fun and feel part of the community.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a pleasant and welcoming environment and is furnished to a high standard. Children’s bedrooms are decorated beautifully and are ready to welcome new children into the home.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

In the main, the child’s health needs were met. However, the child’s health plan did not detail the dates of previous health appointments attended. Although the absence of this information did not have an impact on the child, the lack of records creates a gap in tracking the child’s development.

p.2

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

Staff had a good understanding of the child’s individual needs and vulnerabilities, which helped to promote the child’s safety and welfare. The child’s care plans were detailed and gave clear guidance for staff to follow. Inspection report for children’s home: 2747256 3 There have been no safeguarding or missing-from-home incidents. This is because staff developed trusting relationships with the child so that they felt safe. The child said, ‘I liked talking to the staff; they helped me.’

p.2

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

Staff understood the child’s behaviours and were skilled in managing them. They used praise and restorative practice to promote positive behaviour. As a result, there was no use of physical intervention.

p.3

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

This is a safe and secure home. Safer recruitment practices are in place. This ensures that staff are carefully vetted and are safe and suitable to work at the home.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a registered manager in post who has suitable skills and experience. The manager shows high ambition for the quality of care children receive and ensures that children’s needs are met effectively.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy working at the home and are positive about the support that they receive from the manager. One staff member said, ‘The manager is supportive and has really guided me. He is always on the end of a phone if I need advice.’ Staff are happy working in the home and feel positive about their work.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions take place regularly and are of good quality. These help staff to generate ideas and reflect on their practice. New staff are well supported through a clear and effective induction process. This ensures that children receive high-quality care from a skilled and well-informed staff team.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is staffed by a team with the required training and skills to support the children’s individual needs. This ensures that children receive care from staff who understand their needs.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and staff team have good relationships with relevant professionals. The child’s social worker said communication from the staff and manager was good. This positive partnership working promotes children’s welfare.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s monitoring systems are not always effective. They failed to identify shortfalls in recording practices. For instance, records relating to the child’s admission to the home are incomplete. Furthermore, after a meeting where the child requested items for their bedroom, there are no records detailing staff’s responses and actions taken. This lack of oversight has the potential to impact on the quality of care children receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2747256 4

p.3

Statutory requirements

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.4

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.4

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.4

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(h))

p.4

Requirement Due date

This relates to the registered manager’s oversight and monitoring of information recorded in children’s transition plans and records.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered manager must also have clear monitoring and reviewing systems in place to identify shortfalls and improve practice. 11 May 2024

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that, when children are admitted to the home, they receive up-to-date medical information, including dates of previous health appointments attended. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.4) Inspection report for children’s home: 2747256 5

p.4

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: 2747256 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Parallel Parents Ltd

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road Heavily, Stockport SK2 6LR

p.6

Inspector

Jas Nahar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2747256 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7