Children's home run by Prosperity Children’s Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2694962 1 Registered provider: Prosperity Children’s Services

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in September 2022 and the manager registered in April 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of this 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: requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

An assurance inspection took place on 16 January 2024, when an emergency notice to suspend the home’s registration was issued following the identification of serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children. During the assurance inspection on 27 February 2024, the inspector found that the provider had taken action to reduce the risks identified and there was a clear strategy to improve the care delivered to children, specifically around the leadership and management of the Inspection report for children’s home: 2694962 2 home and the help and protection of children. Therefore, the suspension notice was lifted.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2694962 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home’s suspension was lifted, two children have moved into the home, however, one of these has now moved out. Children are involved in their transition plans and staff take time to get to know them before they arrive, which means they feel valued. When children leave the home, staff ensure that they have the chance to say goodbye.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a welcoming feel but is yet to be personalised with children’s photos. Children’s bedrooms are equipped with everything they need and their likes and interests are reflected. Bedroom doors have activated sensors but consent for their use from placing authorities was not in place. However, the registered manager addressed this during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have opportunities to take part in a range of activities in the home and community. Staff research the location and availability of activities to help them to plan activities with children that they are interested in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to make a complaint, as this is detailed in a child-friendly way in the children’s guide which they receive before they move in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children not attending school are aware when they move in of the expectation that they will take part in education activities until a formal setting is identified. Staff are ambitious for children and want them to be engaged in learning. In the absence of a school routine, children are still expected to be up and involved in informal learning and activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop their independence, according to their age and individual needs. One child was learning how to make breakfast and was encouraged to take their washing downstairs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children moving into the home are quickly registered with health services and staff ensure that they have any medication they need. Children’s health needs are known but the link between children’s diet and their health should be considered more carefully so children do not have access to a lot of sugary snacks.

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

Children have individual risk assessments which are understood by staff and routinely updated following any incidents. Risk assessments are clear and concise and give staff specific guidance on risk management.

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

There is a consistent response by staff when children go missing from home, in line with children’s individual plans. The registered manager has established strong relationships Inspection report for children’s home: 2694962 4 with the police so that a joint response is taken when children are missing. Staff understand the risks children face when they are missing and are curious about what children do and where they go. Staff look for children and ensure that parents and professionals are always kept updated.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted with natural consequences, verbal praise and restorative practice. Children have behaviour support plans which equip staff with de-escalation strategies that are bespoke to each child. Physical intervention is used as a last resort to keep children safe. Records of incidents are clear and detailed. Children and staff have the opportunity to debrief with someone who was not involved in the incident. This is an opportunity for them to share what worked, which is then reflected in children’s plans.

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

There is a timely response to safeguarding issues. Any allegations, including those against staff members, are investigated thoroughly. While an investigation is ongoing, the registered manager communicates regularly with parents and placing authorities. Recommendations identified over the course of investigations are acted on promptly.

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

The manager talks to children after incidents and accidents to capture their views. This allows her to see practice from all perspectives and revise practice if necessary. However, this has not been recorded consistently, which has resulted in gaps in children’s records.

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

Staff are recruited safely, and the registered manager has systems in place to review suitability via the Disclosure and Barring Service update system.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably experienced and qualified. She has a clear vision for the home which is shared by the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and any areas for development. However, there has been no review of the quality of care to formalise this understanding and identify and address any action required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has systems in place for the oversight of practice. Regular audits and practice observations give her insight into the care children receive. She has introduced a ‘mumbles and grumbles’ book for children to share their thoughts on a monthly basis. However, she is not yet using these or the views of other stakeholders to inform the locality risk assessment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and her staff team know children well and learn about children before they arrive at the home. A social worker said, ‘The registered manager asked for all documents to ensure that she and the staff team had a thorough understanding and everything in place before [name of child] moved in.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2694962 5 Supervision is regular and reflective. The emotional impact of the work on staff is recognised and staff feel supported and talk highly of the manager. They know and understand her vision for the care of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are an opportunity to consider children’s needs and progress but also a chance for the whole staff team to reflect on practice. The manager has delivered team building exercises and arranged training around language that cares, which was delivered by a care-experienced adult.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have completed all mandatory training and additional training bespoke to children’s individual needs. This includes training on pathological demand avoidance and child criminal exploitation. Inspection report for children’s home: 2694962 6

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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 registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report").

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5)) 31 May 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2694962 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that consent is obtained from children’s placing authority or parents for the use of any monitoring systems, including door sensors. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.16)  The registered person should ensure that any risks to children are considered in consultation with stakeholders and local services to inform the location risk assessment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  The registered person should ensure that, in line with the home’s procedures, children are consulted after any incidents, so they understand practice and have the opportunity to share their perspective on the care they receive. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The registered person should ensure that staff are proactive in looking after the day-

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Recommendations

to-day health and well-being of children, specifically in relation to their diet. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.10)

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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: 2694962 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Prosperity Children’s Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Prosperity Children’s Services Ltd, 8 Mercury Rise, Altham Business Park, Altham, Accrington BB5 5BY

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Rachel Crossland-Green

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Inspector

Sarah Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2694962 9 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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