Children's home run by Footsteps Care Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2540285 1 Registered provider: Footsteps Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to eight children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities and/or social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2019. The new manager commenced her post in August 2023 and has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2540285 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have responded well to the outcome of the last inspection. They have implemented an action plan to address the requirements and recommendations made. Leaders and managers have ensured that the environment is safe and that staff have the skills and experience needed to provide good care to children.

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Findings from the inspection

Management oversight is good. Leaders and managers regularly monitor children’s records. Internal and external monitoring systems are used to review the home’s progress. This oversight of the home ensures that ongoing improvements are made. Managers work closely with children’s professional networks to ensure that children receive individualised care and support to meet their needs. However, not all records of key-work sessions demonstrate children’s progress well.

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Findings from the inspection

Four of the five requirements raised at the last inspection have been met as well as all of the recommendations. Managers now review the completion of staff training to ensure that staff complete the relevant training in a timely way. Staff are also receiving regular and effective supervision. Leaders and managers recognise that there are still further improvements that can be made to improve practice and ensure that all requirements are met.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have reviewed the arrangements for information-sharing with local authorities to support their matching and admission decisions. They have completed a review of the quality of care and addressed gaps in children’s care plans and risk assessments.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents requiring physical intervention have reduced. Staff have undertaken additional training to increase their understanding of children’s needs and risks. Some of the training has been completed with psychologists from the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to help staff manage and meet children’s emotional needs better.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spoke positively about the changes made since the last inspection. They reported that there is a culture of learning, and there are opportunities to develop their skills and confidence. This has improved staff’s ability to recognise and act on important issues and improve the quality of care provided to children. Staff know children well and demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the progress they are making. The provider supports all staff to gain the level 3 diploma in residential childcare as required.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been two allegations against staff since the last inspection. Leaders and managers have notified the appropriate bodies and taken timely and appropriate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2540285 3 actions to safeguard children. Internal investigations are thorough, and managers have identified learning to inform staff training and practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The home’s physical environment is now well maintained and safe for children. The home is warm and welcoming and has a family atmosphere. Managers and staff have decorated the home, including placing artwork and murals along the hallways and communal areas. Children helped to paint the pictures. Children’s bedrooms are personalised with their favourite toys and photos of their family members. This helps children to feel comfortable and move around freely in their home.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have updated the local area risk assessment and requested feedback from safeguarding partners. However, feedback is not always received or followed up to ensure that managers have a detailed analysis of the local area risks. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2540285 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/12/2022 Full Good 18/05/2021 Full Good 10/03/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2540285 5

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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.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must monitor and improve the quality of records. These include key-work or individual session records that do not detail work conducted with children or highlight the progress children are making.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that staff receive the appropriate support and training to provide a good quality of care to children and ensure that their needs are met well.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 April 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. In particular, the registered person should ensure that feedback from safeguarding partners informs the local risk assessment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2540285 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Footsteps Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Orchard, Ashmead Drive, Denham UB9 5BA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Anslim Narinesingh

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Inspector

Dorothy Thompstone, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2540285 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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