Children's Home run by Pure Grace Homes Limited in Bexley

Inspection report for children's home: 2612013 1 Registered provider: Pure Grace Homes Limited

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Full inspection 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 four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in November 2021. The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Inspection dates: 16 to 23 April 2024

The inspection started on 16 April 2024. It was paused in line with Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy. An inspector returned on 22 April 2024 to complete the inspection.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2612013 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/06/2023 Full Good 26/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2612013 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of care provided to children has supported them to make progress from their individual starting points since living in the home. A local authority commissioning officer reported, ‘They have always provided a high level of care to some of our most vulnerable children.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have developed trusting and meaningful relationships with managers and staff. This helps children to share their concerns and worries, and staff respond positively to children’s wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported by suitably skilled and trained staff to develop their independence and social skills. Children have made good progress in developing skills in personal care, using public transport, shopping, budgeting, cooking and doing their laundry. Children’s individual plans reflect their needs and desired outcomes. Progress is reviewed by leaders and managers on a regular basis.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a good range of leisure activities, including football, basketball, gym workouts, boxing and walking. This ensures that children are supported to develop their social skills as well as taking an active part in their community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported by staff who provide clear, consistent and appropriate boundaries and routines that are relevant to the children’s needs. This ensures that children feel safe and live in a stable and secure environment that reduces feelings of uncertainty, so they can settle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s weekly meetings provide opportunities for children to influence their plans and decisions about their care, for example, their meal choices and weekly activities and any proposed changes to the home. One child created and designed a plan for a garden makeover, which managers accepted and funded.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from purposeful conversations with staff to help them understand safe and acceptable behaviour. This helps them to reduce risks associated with behaviour that is harmful to themselves and others. This includes strategies to manage online activity, by helping children to understand the risks associated with harmful online content.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from spending time with their families and other people who are important to them. This is actively encouraged and supported by staff. Children’s friends and family are warmly welcomed into the home and children enjoy cooking for their families. Inspection report for children's home: 2612013 4

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

Children receive effective help and support from staff who understand their needs. Children have individualised risk assessments that are updated to reflect emerging risks and needs. Children’s plans are aligned to their local authority care plan and record their vulnerabilities and the potential impact on their behaviour. Staff understand children’s triggers and work effectively to reduce negative behaviours through effective and appropriate intervention strategies. Restraint is rarely used in the home. Positive behaviour is encouraged and rewarded.

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

Episodes of children going missing from home have significantly reduced. When children have gone missing, staff are persistent and committed to keeping in touch with them to encourage their return home. Staff robustly follow missing procedures and provide a comprehensive written record that is reviewed by the registered manager.

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

Leaders and managers have developed and sustained effective working relationships with a range of professionals to ensure that children’s needs are met. For example, they advocated for one child’s access to education after they had been permanently excluded and for therapeutic support for another child.

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

Robust daily health and safety checks ensure that children are safeguarded from any potential hazards in the home. Staff undertake daily medication checks to ensure that children receive the correct medication.

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

Staff understand child protection and whistle-blowing policies. They know who they need to speak with should they have concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are effective at providing good-quality help, protection and support to children living in the home. All recommendations and requirements made at the previous inspection have now been met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are supported by an efficient, dedicated and responsive registered manager. The registered manager and responsible individual are aspirational for all children and ensure that they receive a high standard of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers understand the children’s needs, their individual plans and the progress that they are making to fulfil their potential. Leaders and managers have created a calm and nurturing environment, so that children feel cared for and safe. This is reflected in the progress children make. One child’s court guardian reported, ‘As the guardian for [name of child], I have been so impressed how you have been aware of his needs.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a comprehensive induction and development programme to ensure that they meet the needs of children living in the home. This includes specific training to Inspection report for children's home: 2612013 5 meet children’s identified needs, such as the risks of county lines and online safety. This is an improvement since the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers provide regular supervision which enables staff to reflect on their work with children and receive feedback on their practice. Career progression is supported through training and leadership development opportunities through shadowing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff describe leaders and managers as encouraging, helpful and approachable, and said they are always available to provide support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: 2612013 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’.

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Information about this inspection

The inspection started on 15 April 2024. It was paused in line with ‘Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence’ policy. A different inspector returned on 22 April and the inspection was completed on 23 April 2024. Inspection report for children's home: 2612013 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pure Grace Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 61 Bridge Street, Kington HR5 3DJ

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Inspector

Nicki Shaw, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2612013 8 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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