Children's Home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd in Derby

Inspection report children's home: 2769987 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group 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

The home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties. Since the home opened, one child has moved into the home and one child has moved out.

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Information about this children's home

There is a registered manager in post. However, the home is being managed by an interim manager due to the specific needs of the child. The registered manager has retained oversight of the home through remote monitoring and daily communication.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2769987 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report children's home: 2769987 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive good care that is tailored and bespoke. Care plans are created in collaboration with children, capturing the child’s voice. This ensures children have a genuine say in their day-to-day care and feel heard and understood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have meaningful relationships with staff. They spend time together, such as making friendship bracelets, baking and pamper evenings. Children and staff also enjoy regular activities such as roller skating, shopping and swimming. This helps to improve children’s confidence and self-esteem and gives them a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are proactive in meeting children’s health needs, ensuring they are up to date with optician and dental appointments. When children are unwell, staff are quick to respond and seek medical advice. Staff have one-to-one discussions with children, helping them to make healthier choices. As a result, children’s overall health improves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well supported when moving in and out of the home. Transition plans are carefully considered and child focused. Staff create positive endings, helping children to feel appreciated and valued. For example, children receive books that capture memories and words of appreciation from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff advocate well for children who are not currently attending school. They work effectively with agencies such as the virtual school and social workers to identify alternative provisions and tutors. However, there is a shortfall in the planning and recording of educational activities for a child whilst they await a school place. This is an area for development.

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

Staff know the risks that children can be exposed to. Safety plans are robust and clearly detail the actions staff need to take. Risks are reviewed regularly and in collaboration with the social worker. This ensures an effective approach to safeguarding.

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

Staff respond well to children who go missing from the home. Missing protocols are duly followed. Staff go looking for children and contact the appropriate professionals such as the police and social workers. Children are supported when they return, and staff consider what can be done to reduce the risk of further incidents.

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

Staff respond well to self-injurious behaviours. Safety plans are effective and appropriately followed by staff. Children receive specialist support from the in-house psychotherapist. Staff also provide emotional support through one-to-one discussions, allowing children to talk about their feelings and emotions. As a result, the severity and frequency of self-injurious incidents reduce. Inspection report children's home: 2769987 4 Allegations against staff are effectively managed. Children’s concerns are taken seriously, and they receive appropriate support. Relevant agencies are consulted, such as Ofsted and the local authority designated officer. Safeguards are put into place whilst investigations are undertaken, ensuring children and staff are protected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and interim manager have worked cohesively. Staff feel well supported and admire their leadership. Staff enjoy working at the home and have positive relationships with each other. This provides a harmonious and secure family environment for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have good oversight of the care provided to the child. There are effective quality assurance and monitoring systems in place. Managers know what is happening in the home daily. Learning from incidents and placement ends are used to shape policies and practice. This helps to develop the service and maintain good standards of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager set high expectations for staff. Practice issues are addressed by the manager with sensitivity and tact, supporting staff to develop. Staff receive regular supervision where they are encouraged to reflect on their practice and discuss their development. Consequently, staff feel well supported and confident in their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well trained. Staff are up to date with essential training such as fire safety and safeguarding. They also receive training in relation to children’s specific needs such as deprivation of liberty order and ligature training. The in-house psychotherapist provides additional workshops for staff which include topics such as therapeutic parenting and mental health awareness. This ensures staff have the knowledge and skills to meet children’s complex needs. Inspection report children's home: 2769987 5

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Recommendations

 Where children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on a school roll for some other reason, the registered person and staff must work closely with the placing authority so that the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. In the interim, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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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: 2769987 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Emma Dacres, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: 2769987 7 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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