Children's Home run by Worcestershire Children First in Worcestershire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2549726 1 Registered provider: Worcestershire Children First

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides short breaks for children with learning disabilities and can care for up to four children on any one night.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in August 2022.

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Inspection date: 3 July 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2549726 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of this inspection, three children were enjoying a short break at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is child-focused and passionate about providing good-quality care to children. He is proactive and has high expectations of himself and the staff team. His leadership has resulted in positive developments at the home and improved staff retention.

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Findings from the inspection

The interior of the home has had a fresh coat of paint, there are now canvas photos of children on the walls and the television is no longer contained in a cabinet. A sensory garden is a wonderful addition, with a large covered sandpit, wigwam and mud kitchen, along with a wildflower garden. These improvements have helped to create a warm and welcoming home and garden for children to enjoy.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy their stays. Staff know the children well and plan a variety of activities at the home and in the community. Staff consider children’s interests and likes. For example, children enjoy trips to the local parks and woods, going horse riding, shopping, on train journeys and swimming.

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Findings from the inspection

Despite children only having a few overnight stays at the home each month, staff support them to make progress with their independence, communication and social skills. Staff use a variety of learning opportunities and are creative in the ways they engage children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to have a voice. Children are helped using their individual communication tools to give feedback on their stays and make choices about the activities they want to do and the bedding they want for their bedroom. Children have requested things for the house and garden. These requests are listened to and where possible the manager has facilitated those requests. For example, children now have a swing in the soft playroom and a games machine in the lounge.

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Findings from the inspection

On occasions, staff have made mistakes when giving children their medication. These mistakes have not caused any harm to children. The manager has taken action to improve training for staff and ensure staff have competency assessments. As a result, there have not been any errors in the last four months.

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Findings from the inspection

When children require specialist support with their health needs, the manager makes sure staff have the appropriate training. In the absence of training, the manager has made sure health professionals are at the home to care for children while staff are trained. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2549726 3 Children do not go missing from the home. For one child who is at risk of wandering off, the manager has liaised with the local police to share relevant information. This will help to ensure swift action can be taken if the child was to leave the home.

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Findings from the inspection

On rare occasions, staff have needed to use physical intervention to keep a child safe. Staff have recorded details of the action taken. However, records of the discussion with the child and staff following the intervention are not sufficiently detailed. This limits any learning from the intervention.

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Findings from the inspection

Moves to and from the home are well planned. As a result, children new to the home settle quickly. Children who have left often keep in touch with regular phone calls.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager’s monitoring of the home is effective. He has identified areas for development and taken action. For example, he has prioritised training to improve staff skills and knowledge, is working closely with adult services so that there are seamless moves for children who transition to adult services, has made improvements to the home environment and has developed closer links with the local additional needs school.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and families speak highly of the manager, the changes he has made and how the children enjoy their stays.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/05/2023 Full Good 31/08/2022 Full Good 15/03/2022 Full Good 23/11/2021 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2549726 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure records of restraint are kept to enable them and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. This includes making sure discussions and debriefs with children and staff are fully recorded so that this information can be included in the review. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2549726 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Worcestershire Children First

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester WR5 2NP

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Inspector

Debbie Bond, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2549726 6 to 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.

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Inspector

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