Children's Home run by THR SERVICES LIMITED in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2735355 1 Registered provider: THR Services 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 owned by a small private provider and is registered to provide care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home does not have a registered manager but an interim manager has been appointed. They were present throughout this inspection, along with the responsible individual.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living in the home at the time of the inspection. They provided their views, which have helped to inform the report.

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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 requires improvement to be 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: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

The home has been subject to compliance action, and this has included: compliance notices issued in relation to regulation 12, protection of children standard and 13 the leadership and management standard. Additionally, Ofsted imposed a notice to restrict the numbers of children that could be cared for at the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2735355 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2024 Full Inadequate 06/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2735355 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or out of the home. There has been a restriction notice in place to prevent any more children from moving in until sufficient improvements have been made in the quality of care that children receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living in the home continues to make progress and said they were happy and settled. They have positive and trusting relationships with the staff team, who are supportive and responsive to their needs. They are being helped to develop more independence and a sense of their identity, which is having a positive impact on them, and they enjoy being given this additional trust and responsibility.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child continues to make progress in their education and has recently applied to college. Staff are supporting the child with this transition. They are also looking at further opportunities to increase the child’s social network through clubs and activities. This will help the child to develop interests and friendships away from the home and to develop their social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff at the home have positive relationships with the child’s family, who are happy with the care and support provided in the home. The child has recently gone on a holiday abroad with family, which was very positive for them. They are supported to maintain contact with people who are important to them and, as a result, these relationships have improved. The child now travels independently to spend weekends with family members, and this helps them to remain connected to their family and community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health needs are well met, and staff promote a positive and healthy lifestyle. The child takes part in regular physical exercise, such as swimming and attending a local gym. They have regular check-ups with health professionals, such as the dentist and opticians, to ensure that any concerns are detected at the earliest opportunity. The child’s emotional health needs are well supported, with additional input from the clinical team available when needed. The child is being helped to take more responsibility for managing their health and medication as part of their developing independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s placing local authority has failed to provide an up-to-date care plan detailing the ongoing plan for the child’s transition to adulthood and independence. This is being challenged by leaders and managers. The home maintains clear and detailed plans for the child, although details about education arrangements are significantly out of date.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home’s physical environment has been much improved and has benefited from redecoration and some refurbishment. There are lots of homely touches which provide a welcoming environment for the child to live in. The child has given their views on the home’s decor and helped with some of the minor maintenance and redecoration. The child’s bedroom is highly personalised and reflects their likes and interests. Inspection report for children's home: 2735355 4 The child has a clear voice in the home and the manager has implemented regular catch-up meetings to seek the child’s views on the home and their care. An application has been made for an advocate to further support in ensuring the child’s views and wishes are listened to.

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

The protection and safety of children have improved because staff have received additional training and guidance in safeguarding and in understanding their responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm.

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

Leaders and managers have implemented systems to provide clear oversight and scrutiny of any safeguarding concerns and incidents that may occur. The management team has undertaken additional training to have a better understanding of their role in safeguarding and managing allegations and concerns.

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

Leaders and managers have undertaken a review of all previous incidents, to identify any potential shortfalls and any lessons learned. This review has helped to inform safeguarding policies and guidance around the use of physical intervention in the home. There have been no recent incidents or safeguarding concerns, but new review systems and better understanding should improve management oversight if incidents do occur.

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

Risk assessments and support plans have significantly improved. They accurately reflect the child and their individual needs and provide appropriate guidance on how best to support them if needed. Children’s plans are regularly reviewed and updated and are understood by the team. The child is provided with clear and consistent boundaries and, as a result, they feel safe and cared for.

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

The home is well maintained, and regular health and safety checks are carried out. This means children are provided with a safe environment to live in. Leaders and managers follow safe recruitment practices and adults working in the home have been deemed as suitable. This minimises the risk of harm to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The interim manager is new and inexperienced, however, they have provided stability to the team and are a positive role model. The manager is committed to the home and children and is child-centred in their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

A new responsible individual has been effective in supporting the home to make improvements in the standards of care and management oversight, although some new systems and processes still require embedding. Leaders and managers work well together and are supportive of each other.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff are being supported to learn and have a better understanding of their roles, although they are not yet receiving regular supervision or appraisal. These are missed Inspection report for children's home: 2735355 5 opportunities for staff to reflect on practice and to set targets for their ongoing development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff have all completed mandatory training in areas such as safeguarding and behaviour management. Additional training is provided which supports staff to have a better understanding and knowledge of children’s needs. Staff are expected to complete the required childcare qualification and relevant staff have been enrolled on this course.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The conditions of the compliance notices have been met because the home has made sufficient progress in improving standards. There have been notable improvements made and the home has a clear development plan in place which reflects the weaknesses and how these will be managed and further improved. Inspection report for children's home: 2735355 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, 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 registered person must ensure that all employees-

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(c)) 1 September 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all children’s case records are kept up to date. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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: 2735355 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: THR Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Room 2 First Floor, Main Road, Middleton Cheney OX17 2PW

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Inspector

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2735355 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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