Children's Home run by Pure Care Homes Ltd in Bury

Inspection report children's home: 2709434 1 Registered provider: Pure Care 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

The home is run by a private organisation and is registered to provide care for two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, there were two children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

This inspection was brought forward in order to address specific concerns received by Ofsted. There had been serious child protection allegations made against two members of staff which were being investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the allegations were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors judgements.

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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 children's home: 2709434 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/04/2023 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2709434 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection, and one child moved out to supported accommodation. When children move in and out of the home, the manager works with other professionals to ensure that the most appropriate planning takes place. Staff welcome children to the home sensitively and do all that they can to help to ease any anxieties they may have. The children living in the home are settled.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is warm and welcoming. The children have the freedom to personalise their bedroom to their taste. This helps them to develop a sense of permanence and belonging. In discussions with children, they both said that they like the home and staff. One child said, ‘Its 10 out of 10 here, it’s the best home I have ever had, and the staff are great.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are provided with a therapeutic care and support. The manager and staff work with a therapeutic team that provides regular guidance and support. The staff are suitably trained to deliver a specific model of care. As a result, children are being helped to develop skills and strategies to manage their own conflicts and difficult feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have high aspirations for children and encourage them to do well in education. Both children were out of education for some time before moving in. Staff researched local provisions to identify those that best met children’s needs. As a result, children engage and make progress in their learning as it suits their needs and abilities. When there are barriers to education, the manager advocates strongly for children and works together with other professionals to overcome these.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with opportunities to experience a wide variety of activities in and out the home. When children have specific interests, they are supported to take these up as a hobby. One child said, ‘I have incentives to sit my exams, it has been agreed that I can have a pet chameleon, we have been researching the right way to care for them, once I finish my exams, I can choose one.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s relationships with family and friends are promoted. Children are supported to see their families in line with their plans. Staff recognise that seeing family members can sometimes be difficult for children, so they ensure that children are supported to work through any feelings they may have.

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

Children have good relationships with the staff who care for them. Children can identify a trusted adult who they can talk to. As a result, children feel comfortable to talk about their worries and to ask for support. A social worker said, ‘The staff have sensitively supported them building trusting relationships with [name of child], and [name of child] trusts them.’ Inspection report children's home: 2709434 4 When concerns are raised, leaders and managers respond proactively to manage the risks and reduce harm. Recently, concerns have been raised about two staff members not following the home’s child protection policies and failing to maintain professional boundaries. The provider has taken these concerns extremely seriously and investigated them in accordance with safeguarding procedures. The staff involved no longer work in the home. Leaders and managers acted promptly, and measures have been taken to

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

Staff are clear in their understanding of whistleblowing. They know what and when to report concerns and who they should report these to. This provides assurances that staff understand their responsibilities in making sure that children are treated with nurture and care and are safeguarded effectively.

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

Staff complete detailed individual risk management plans for the children. Despite regular reviews and updates, some information remains confusing because historical details are kept alongside current updates. However, the staff team is fully aware of all risk factors and actively works to keep the children safe. Managers have acknowledged these record-keeping issues and are working to remove outdated information to improve the plans.

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

Children’s safety and well-being are consistently at the centre of staff practice. Staff understand the children’s vulnerabilities and respond appropriately to incidents and take action to protect them.

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

Children’s positive behaviour is encouraged by staff. Staff use proactive techniques to help children to manage their frustrations and anxieties. Children respond to this approach. There have not been any incidents of physical intervention. The manager and staff use their skills and experience to manage incidents well. They are confident in setting boundaries and are consistent in their approach.

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

The manager and staff are clear about their roles in safeguarding children. Thorough recruitment processes are in place to ensure that children are cared for by safe adults. There are good links with relevant safeguarding agencies. Managers are confident about which incidents need reporting to Ofsted. The manager and staff understand all procedures required to keep children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced, enthusiastic and child-centred and has good oversight of the day-to-day running of the home. There is a core group of staff in place who provide consistency and stability for the children. They are committed and work well together. Staff said they feel supported by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a comprehensive induction and training programme in place that staff have completed. The manager ensures that there is specific training completed so that staff Inspection report children's home: 2709434 5 have the skills to meet the children’s needs. The manager has a good overview of the staff’s skills and knowledge and supports their development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The children enjoy a comfortable, clean, tidy and physically safe living environment. The manager ensures that any damage is quickly repaired. All health and safety checks have been completed and any shortfalls have been rectified. This ensures that the home is a safe place for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team receive regular supervision which is well structured and child focused. Staff can raise any issues with confidence that they will be listened to. The manager recognises the importance of reflection on practice to help staff to increase their self- awareness regarding their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are taking place regularly and give the opportunity for staff to share knowledge and experience. Staff reflect in the meetings and play an active part in the development of the home. This gives staff a shared ownership of continually improving practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good relationships with external professionals. The manager advocates well on behalf of children, ensuring that their wishes and feelings are central to decision making about their lives. This helps children to feel empowered and understand the processes involved in their care. External professionals speak with enthusiasm about the support provided. One social worker said, ‘The manager and staff always keep in touch with me; communication is excellent, and the manager has taken swift action following the concerns in staff practice ensuring children’s safety remains the priority.’ Inspection report children's home: 2709434 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, 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff follow safeguarding procedures and work in line with professional boundaries. 10 July 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 10 July 2024 Inspection report children's home: 2709434 7 The registered person must ensure that children’s case records contain up-to-date information about the child and the support offered by staff. This supports management of concerns.

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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 children's home: 2709434 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pure Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 1e, Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Manchester M4 6JG

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Inspector

Jennifer Quest, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2709434 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 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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