Children's home run by Searchlight Care Services Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children’s home: SC008273 1 SC008273 Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties. One child has been living at the home since the last inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023 and holds the relevant qualification.

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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

Date of last inspection: 12 September 2023

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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: SC008273 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2023 Full Good 24/01/2023 Full Good 14/12/2021 Full Good 25/02/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC008273 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has lived in this home for two years. Before moving into the home, the child had 11 previous placements. This is the most stable home the child has had. The child’s independent reviewing officer said, ‘It’s amazing. Before moving into this home, the child hoped to be in school and have new friends.’ Both of these wishes have been achieved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has caring, nurturing and trusting relationships with staff. The child says that they feel loved. As a result of the care they now receive, the child has reflected on other relationships with caregivers in their past and recognised some abusive situations, making disclosures to staff. These have been shared appropriately.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is benefiting from life-story work and will be receiving further support to help them understand their history and manage their feelings and emotions better.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys a happy social life. The child plays football for a local team, has friends who come to the home to play and is looking forward to their annual holiday. Feedback from staff at the child’s school is excellent. They say that the communication is good, and they meet regularly to discuss the child’s progress and strategies to manage their behaviour.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff from the home have been going into the school to support the child at key times, such as playtime. This support has helped the child have high attendance and engagement. Staff also support the child’s attainment by encouraging them to regularly practise their reading and writing at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health has been improving since living at the home. Their sleep is better, and they require less regular medication. Staff have helped the child to learn how to brush their teeth and wash properly. The child’s is trying more new foods, and staff have increased the child’s vegetable intake by using creative ways to cook their meals. The child should wear glasses. However, there is no plan at present to consider how staff can encourage the child to do this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home requires some redecoration and cleaning. The garden needs some maintenance. The standards of the home do not match the high standards of the care provided.

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

The child is safe. Incidents are reducing and the level of staff supervision has been reduced. Restraint is used only as a last resort and when required.

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

Complaints made by the child are responded to quickly by the manager so that the child feels listened to and understood. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008273 4 The child benefits from very clear boundaries and routines. Staff use a system of ‘now and next’ to help the child to manage their day. Staff have implemented a reward system that helps to promote good behaviour. The child receives regular praise, and staff give positive messages to the child every night to reinforce the child’s self-esteem.

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

Incidents of challenging behaviour are not always managed well. Staff do not always consider the child’s age, background or history when they are dealing with incidents, when imposing consequences and in their use of language in records. Although reflection takes place with the child following incidents, management oversight does not always critically analyse staff practice to support learning from incidents.

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

Fire safety drills and evacuations take place regularly. An external fire risk assessment has been carried out but it is not clear on what actions have been addressed or when.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is child focused and has a clear vision for the development of the home. She has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager actively challenges external agencies when needed to ensure that the child’s needs are being met. Other professionals speak positively about the manager, staff and the care provided to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are positive about their work and are resilient and consistent in their approaches. They feel supported by the managers and by one another. Staff benefit from regular supervision and team meetings, where they discuss the child’s plans and strategies regarding their care and undertake learning around issues such as attachment styles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular training, including training that is specific to the needs of the child. Staff who have not yet attained the relevant qualification in residential childcare are working towards this. A previous requirement regarding timescales of achieving the qualification has been met. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008273 5

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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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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 how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(1)(a)(ix)(x)) 31 July 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the child is supported to wear their prescription glasses and that this is part of their healthcare plan. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.10)  The registered person should ensure that the home and garden are cleaned and maintained to a high standard. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that the fire risk assessment is updated to include actions and timescales relevant to the external fire risk assessment report. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008273 6 (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: SC008273 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Marcus House, Parkhall Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 5XA

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Inspector

Jessica Forshaw, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC008273 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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