Children's home run by Gracewells Care Limited

Inspection report for children's home for 2655408 1 Registered provider: Gracewells Care Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private provider.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

It is registered to provide care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties. Three children are currently being cared for in this home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2023.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

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

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home for 2655408 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/05/2023 Full Good 30/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home for 2655408 3

p.2

outstanding

Children have very strong and positive relationships with staff. Staff know the children extremely well and understand their needs. Children consider the adults that care for them to be part of their family.

p.3

outstanding

Children live in the home for a long time. Staff and the wider organisation are committed to their long-term care and the statement of purpose has been amended to ensure that it reflects their evolving needs.

p.3

outstanding

Children have positive relationships with each other. Staff manage any disputes between the children sensitively and help children to repair their relationships when needed. Staff support children to spend quality time together. Children make happy memories of their time together.

p.3

outstanding

The home is beautifully decorated and well maintained. The grounds of the home are spacious and staff support children to enjoy the space, such as by using a garden paddling pool in hot weather and monitoring the wildlife in the duck pond. Children spend a great deal of time in the communal areas of the home and keep their personal belongings there. Children are relaxed and comfortable in all areas of their home.

p.3

outstanding

All children have a school place. They attend regularly and are making good academic progress from their individual starting points. Staff liaise with school professionals regularly to ensure that children are supported to learn at home and school. When one child was not receiving education, the manager challenged this, which led to the child being re-integrated into school.

p.3

outstanding

Staff understand children’s health needs. Staff register children with local medical services and facilitate their routine appointments. Staff recognise when children may require specialist medical input and ensure that they are referred for this, such as gender services and assessment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

p.3

outstanding

Children have access to therapy and emotional health services. Staff meet with the in-house therapy team regularly to discuss children’s care. This ensures that staff responses to children are consistent, predictable and meet their emotional needs.

p.3

outstanding

Staff know and understand children’s identities and personalities. Staff help children to personalise their bedrooms in line with their tastes and interests, such as gaming, nail art and cars. Staff complete training on gender identity, diversity and equality, and encourage children to express themselves through their clothing and cosmetics. Children are comfortable exploring and communicating their identity in the home. Inspection report for children's home for 2655408 4

p.3

outstanding

Staff understand the risks and vulnerabilities to children and how to manage and support them. Staff respond robustly and swiftly to emerging concerns, such as online safety issues. The manager has clear oversight of any safeguarding incidents. All incidents are used as opportunities for learning for staff and children, and the manager creates action plans from this reflection.

p.4

outstanding

Staff support children to take age-appropriate risks. As a result, some children are spending time in the community without staff and have independent access to technology. One child is earning their own money through dog walking in the local community. Children are learning the skills for adulthood.

p.4

outstanding

Risk assessments are clear, regularly updated and contain clear strategies for staff to follow. Staff teach children about risk and how to keep themselves safe. Staff use a variety of methods to make learning interesting and fun, such as quizzes and videos. Direct work with children is meaningful and relevant.

p.4

outstanding

Staff use consequences to manage behaviour. When consequences are used, they are fair, proportionate and related to the behaviour. Most consequences are restorative, and children learn about the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others. The manager’s oversight of consequences does not always include whether she feels that the measure was appropriate or effective. A recommendation has been made in relation to this.

p.4

outstanding

Staff encourage positive behaviour through their relationships with children. They have not held children through physical intervention. Staff are trained to hold children safely in the event this is necessary.

p.4

outstanding

Children know how to complain. When children require support to voice their opinion, staff arrange for access to advocacy services. Children are comfortable and confident to express their views both to and about the staff and home. On the one occasion a complaint from a family member was received, the responsible individual thoroughly investigated this and responded promptly.

p.4

outstanding

Children do not go missing from home. Each child has an individual missing-from- home plan which is reviewed regularly, and staff know what to do if children were to go missing.

p.4

outstanding

Door alarms are used in the home. The manager and staff consider each child’s individual needs and regularly review whether the use of door alarms is appropriate for them. One child has had their door alarm removed as a result.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Inspection report for children's home for 2655408 5 Since the last inspection, the manager has transformed practice in the home. A member of staff said, ‘[The manager] has led the team ’in a progressive direction.’ The manager has encouraged practice which allows children to take managed risk, and therefore learn and develop.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent relationships with children. The manager is hands-on in the home and leads by example, such as discussions with children and the recording of this.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is very ambitious for children. A member of staff said about the manager, ‘Their passion to deliver exceptional quality care for children and young people is evident.’ Staff are inspired to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is extremely child focused. The manager and staff are committed to providing long-term good quality care to children in the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has introduced ‘think sheets’ for staff to complete, which encourage reflection on what children are communicating through their behaviour, and how best to respond. This has led to more sensitive and effective staff practice and increasing positive behaviour in children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has changed the way records are written. Records are now written to the children themselves. Staff focus on children’s experiences and records are child- friendly and accessible to them.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent relationships with staff. Staff feel valued and enjoy working at the home. The manager understands the strengths and development needs of each worker. They ensure that staff have the right support to perform well in their role, such as additional support for technology and oversight of documents.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has systems in place to ensure robust oversight of the home. The manager understands the progress children are making and makes clear plans to address any areas of support. The manager has also made changes to recruitment processes to strengthen these and ensure that comprehensive information is available.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

An independent person visits the home monthly. The manager responds swiftly to any recommendations made. The manager also completes reviews of the quality of care. The reviews are timely, evaluative, and show how staff are supporting children to make good progress. The manager creates a clear and detailed action plan from these reviews to drive practice in the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have regular supervision with the manager, or another senior member of staff who is trained to deliver supervision. Staff also receive regular group supervision with the manager and therapist. In all supervisions, behaviour and practice are unpicked Inspection report for children's home for 2655408 6 thoroughly, and action is agreed. Staff are well supported to provide the best possible care to the children. Children experience consistent care from the staff team.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff have strong relationships with external professionals. Other agencies report the manager and staff to be communicative and responsive to children’s needs. The manager has challenged other agencies when children are not getting the required services. The strength of those relationships has allowed them to continue to be positive and effective following the challenge. Children have the best possible joined-up care across their professional networks. Inspection report for children's home for 2655408 7

p.6

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents resulting in restorative con- sequences are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair, proportionate and effective. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations in- cluding the quality standards,’ page 46, paragraph 9.36)

p.7

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 for 2655408 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Gracewells Care Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 21 Jubilee House, East Beach, Lytham FY8 5FT

p.8

Inspector

Sarah Huntbatch, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home for 2655408 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9