Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for children’s home: SC020576 1 SC020576 Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to five children who have experienced trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably skilled and experienced and has been in post since 2016.

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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: SC020576 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/03/2023 Full Good 23/06/2021 Full Good 05/02/2020 Full Good 07/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC020576 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and has a warm and homely feel. The staff team has high standards for the home and supports the children in keeping their bedrooms tidy. Staff support the children to spend their mealtimes around the dining room table, which offers a family environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with their family, helping them to maintain important relationships. This allows them to feel connected to important people and supports their identity. If children experience difficulties, the manager supports the children through regular discussion with social workers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children attend school and are making progress. The children receive awards for their attendance and attitude to learning. Staff recently developed a reward chart to support a child when they were finding attending school difficult. This encouraged them to attend school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the children are supported to achieve their future goals and help them to access higher education. One child had recently been accepted at their chosen college to support their future ambition to become a chef.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in a range of activities, such as skateboarding and trips to the farm and local parks. Children living at the home are encouraged to explore individual interests and hobbies, such as magic tricks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop independence skills in readiness for when they leave the home. Individualised independence plans are in place for children, which are reviewed regularly by the manager.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children arrive at the home, they are welcomed.The manager undertakes robust admission planning that is well thought out and considered. As a result, effective matching supports children to stay in the home for long periods of time.

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

Since the last inspection, there have not been any incidents of children going missing from home or the use of physical intervention. This is due to the positive relationships the staff have with children. The staff work hard to educate children on risks so that they know how to keep safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC020576 4 Children have individual risk assessments that include all known risks. These assessments also include practical strategies staff can follow to support the children’s needs. Children are consulted with so they know how staff will keep them safe.

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

Staff work hard to get to know children and support them to find alternative ways to manage behaviours. This practice supported one child, who has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to stop taking prescribed medication.

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

When children have emotional needs, there is strong collaboration with partner agencies to support them. The inspector saw evidence of a plan of work that had been tailored for a child. This included receiving therapy from the home’s psychologist, regular direct work and sessions to support them.

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

Children say that they are happy living at the home and that they feel safe. One child told the inspector that he would rate the home as nine out of 10.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A tenacious, committed and experienced manager manages the home. They know the children well and have high expectations for the children who live at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has varied and strong monitoring systems in place to review its progress and areas for development. The deputy manager in post also has strong oversight of the home and works closely with the registered manager to develop new ways to progress the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has developed excellent working relationships with professionals. In addition, they can strongly advocate on behalf of children. One professional said that the manager has excellent communication and their commitment to the children is clear to see.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel very well supported by the manager. The staff team is happy in its work, which is evidenced by high levels of staff retention. The home also follows safe recruitment practice to ensure that staff working with children are safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete mandatory training and have access to a wide range of additional training. This training provides the staff with further opportunities to progress their knowledge. Moreover, this ensures that staff’s practice is tailored to each individual child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations have been issued as a result of this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC020576 5

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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: SC020576 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Forge, Church Street West, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HT

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Inspector

Charlotte Love, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC020576 7 regulates 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 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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