Children's home run by Sunbridge Childcare Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2769106 1 Registered provider: Sunbridge Childcare Ltd

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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 home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This is the first inspection since the home registered in December 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, four children were living at the home. The inspector spoke to all four children.

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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 outstanding

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2769106 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a warm, welcoming and homely environment, and children say that they love living there. The staff and children fill the home with enjoyment and laughter. The children experience a real sense of belonging. One child said,

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

‘This is a really good home, and it feels like a home, not a children’s home. I can have friends over, and it just feels right.’ Another child, said, ‘I love it. The staff are great, and I feel happy, we are all treated fairly.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have well planned moves into the home. The manager undertakes comprehensive planning and assessment of children’s needs prior to them moving in. The manager considers the skills and experience of the staff team as well as the needs of the other children already living in the home. This approach has a positive impact on children’s stability at the home and helps to improve their outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff spend time getting to know the children, which enables them to build positive relationships. Children also have good relationships with each other. Staff act swiftly to address any fallouts or disagreements, which are resolved using restorative approaches. The children enjoy spending time with one another and playing board games are a favourite. In addition, regular discussions about respecting others contribute to the children living together harmoniously.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to attend education. For some children attendance fluctuates. The manager and staff work in partnership with schools and virtual headteachers to address this. The staff have also developed education facilities in the home to support those that struggle with attending formal education. As a result of this work, children gain practical skills for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged and supported to participate in their hobbies or interests. These include boxing, horse riding and shopping. The staff support children’s friends to join in with activities and they are welcomed into the home. Staff build relationships with the parents of the children’s friends, and this supports children’s ongoing friendships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health and emotional well-being is well supported. Staff recognise when children need additional specialist help and advocate for them to receive this. Staff support children to deal with situations that previously overwhelmed them, and they feel safe to explore their past experiences.

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

The staff team comprises of experienced and highly skilled staff who respond promptly to safeguarding issues. Staff follow detailed and comprehensive risk Inspection report for children’s home: 2769106 3 assessments and behaviour support plans. This means that staff understand potential triggers and agreed strategies. Children also understand their own safety plans, as they are included in developing these.

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

The staff have a good understanding of the impact of trauma on children’s health and development. They use this knowledge in consultation with other professionals to respond to children’s needs effectively. Staff are vigilant and achieve a good balance between minimising risk and allowing children to take age-appropriate risks.

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

Furthermore, staff have discussions with children to help them to understand risks and safety and the potential consequences of their behaviour. These allow children to reflect and think about how to make positive change.

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

Staff support children to learn how to react in response to their feelings. This includes developing ‘self soothe’ resources such as toys and activities. Additionally, staff offer praise and affirmation to improve children’s self-belief and to raise their self-esteem. As a result, physical intervention has not been necessary.

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

There have been some occasions when children have been missing from the home. When this happens, staff support the children’s safe return home. Staff hold discussions with children to try to understand why they went missing and children can speak to someone independent. This supports children to share any concerns or worries they may have.

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

Staff ensure that children have clear guidance for the use of the internet as well as having appropriate safeguards in place. Children are well supported and receive helpful guidance to keep themselves safe online. When incidents do occur, prompt responses from staff increase children’s safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is highly motivated and dedicated to her role and is exceptionally child focused. The manager is held in high regard by her staff team, professionals, and the children she cares for. The manager believes that the children deserve nothing but the best and effectively challenges all professionals to achieve this for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is supported by an experienced deputy manager. The home is fully staffed by suitably vetted and qualified staff who are committed to their roles. The manager and the deputy manager have developed and promoted an excellent team culture, with all the staff being accountable for their practice. Staff are encouraged to share their own ideas. Staff also have specific champion roles that enhance their skills and experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers have a visual presence and actively participate in the lives of the children. This means that the staff and children feel well supported. The manager’s hands on approach ensures that she is fully abreast of what happens in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2769106 4 Furthermore, the manager has effective monitoring and auditing systems to ensure that the children receive high quality and safe care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s views and opinions are valued, and this is evident throughout the records and the individualised care plans. The manager and staff use a wide range of methods to ensure that children’s wishes and feelings are listened to and responded to. Recently, staff have explored the impact of institutional language. Children have been at the forefront of this piece of work and changes have been made. One child said, ‘I feel listened too, and my feelings really do count. It’s the small things, it shows me that they love me.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager knows all the children exceptionally well. The children love being around the manager and frequently seek her out to spend time with her. The manager also ensures that children are provided with experiences that enrich their lives. For example, she arranged crochet lessons for the children. Children made hats and mitts for newborn babies. The children delivered these to the local hospital, and they are immensely proud of the contribution they make.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from attending regular supervision and team meetings. These provide staff with the chance to have reflective discussions. This results in consistency of practice of the staff team, which is a particular strength of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection.

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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: 2769106 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sunbridge Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5 Cedar Grove, Wallsend NE28 6PR

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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2769106 6 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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