Children's Home run by Discovered Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2545027 1 Registered provider: Discovered Limited

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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. It is registered to provide care for up to two children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager.

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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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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2545027 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/05/2023 Full Good 20/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/05/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2545027 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child enjoys positive and meaningful relationships with staff. Staff show emotional warmth to the child and there is lots of fun and laughter. This helps the child to build trusting relationships with staff, which supports the child to feel settled in the home and make good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff know the child extremely well. They understand their needs and are providing excellent individualised care and support. As a result, the child is thriving in their development and sense of self. The child is supported to participate in day-to-day decisions and the planning of their care. The child’s progress is exceptional, considering their starting point when moving to the home. For example, the child has been successfully supported to develop their independence skills in preparation for moving on to supported living.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child receives excellent support to develop their understanding of their feelings and emotions and how to communicate these effectively. Staff understand the child’s preferred method of communication and consistently support the child in understanding the next steps. For example, staff use visual timelines with the child in their transition planning, to ensure that the child can fully participate and manage their feelings safely through conversations if delays occur.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff actively support the child to attend and make good progress with their education. The child now attends education regularly and is making exceptional progress. Staff advocate strongly for the child and support a bespoke educational plan to encourage their participation and progress, with a focus on building and maintaining social networks and enhancing life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child enjoys good health. Staff liaise with health professionals and support the child to attend all their appointments. The child is now able to contact medical professionals independently, with the support of staff when required. Staff have worked with the child consistently in key-working sessions on their negative view of medication. This has resulted in the child being able to make informed decisions about their medication, which is a skill that can be taken forward into adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child receives comprehensive support to address their emotional and physical well- being. They benefit from intensive support from the organisation’s therapeutic team, with additional support from partner agencies. The multidisciplinary team consistently guides staff on relevant strategies to support and enhance the child’s progress and to adopt a consistent approach to support the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Positive feedback from external professionals recognises the effectiveness of the home’s therapeutic approach. A common theme in feedback from professionals is the excellent progress the child is making, considering their starting point when moving into the Inspection report for children's home: 2545027 4 home. One professional said, ‘The child has done really well, better than anyone would have ever imagined.’

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

The child receives help and support to manage their behaviour and feelings safely. The child’s behaviour has greatly improved and there are fewer incidents that challenge staff. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques and strategies with the child if the child is becoming overwhelmed by emotions. Alongside this, staff use their knowledge and strong relationships with the child to understand their behaviour. Therefore, the child receives swift and well-coordinated responses from staff to keep them safe.

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

The number of incidents of behaviours that challenge have significantly decreased in frequency and duration. The manager and staff recognise triggers and have developed a trusting relationship with the child. This has allowed the child to feel secure enough to talk about traumatic events in their lives. The child is now able to confide in staff and be open about their feelings and emotions. As a result, the child has the right support from staff and external services to help them.

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

Staff undertake training in safeguarding and child protection alongside specific training in relation to the child’s individual needs. Staff also benefit from bespoke training from the organisation’s therapeutic team to understand complexities in behaviours and their safe management. Staff have regular supervisions and team meetings, which encourage consistent reflection and learning. Staff also participate in monthly multidisciplinary meetings, which include the organisation’s therapeutic team and external professionals, to consolidate their reflective practice.

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

Staff use physical restraint as a last resort to keep the child and others safe. The least restrictive measure is used. All incidents are reviewed by the manager and reflection informs staff practice through debriefs. The child is spoken to following an incident and in regular key-work sessions, and staff use a restorative approach with the child following an incident.

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

Staff understand the risks that the child can be exposed to. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed, updated and shared with staff. This provides clarity and direction for staff if incidents occur, and staff follow these plans consistently.

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

The child knows how to make a complaint. If they do complain, this is investigated and resolved swiftly. The manager completes a full investigation and meets with the child. The manager also appropriately shares the outcome with the local authority designated officer when required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is highly ambitious and committed to providing a home where the child can develop and flourish. The manager has implemented several positive changes in the home. One professional said, ‘Since the manager has been in, I have seen a complete Inspection report for children's home: 2545027 5 transformation. He is very invested in staff and very child-focused.’ The staff feel supported and have trust in his leadership. One staff member said, ‘I trust him one hundred per cent.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high expectations of staff. He provides excellent management oversight, supporting staff to be equally ambitious for the care provided to the children. He is a strong and tenacious manager who is proactive in advocating for the child. He has fostered effective links with partner agencies. The manager challenges shortfalls with partner agencies when required. As a result, there is a good multi-agency approach to the care of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Thorough recruitment procedures are in place that ensure staff working with children are suitable to do so. The manager has effective systems in place to monitor and review their continued suitability. Staff are from diverse backgrounds and bring different skills and experience to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers use the multi-agency team to provide research-led information and support for staff, which enhances their care of the child. Staff are highly motivated and committed to achieving excellence for the child. However, some staff have not yet completed the required qualification within the relevant timescale. This is an area for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers know their strengths and actively drive change to improve areas for development. This is achieved through staff training, regular team meetings and high-quality reflective supervision. The manager has excellent support from a strong leadership team who are equally committed to the care and progress of the child. Inspection report for children's home: 2545027 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff in a care role, including agency or bank staff, must have the qualification in regulation 32 (4) within the relevant timescale listed in regulation 32 (5). (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.12)

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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: 2545027 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4-4a Blackburn Road, Accrington, Lancashire BB5 1HD

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Inspector

Caroline Coop, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2545027 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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