Children's home run by GSM Ardent Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 1 Registered provider: GSM Ardent Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It provides care for up to three children who experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in February 2022 and the manager registered in December 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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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

Date of last inspection: 21 November 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/11/2023 Full Good 28/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported well by the manager and staff, who hold them in high regard. Children have positive relationships with the staff who care for them. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the children’s individual needs. This helps staff to meet the children’s needs well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have created a safe environment where children feel listened to and can express their wishes and feelings. The home is nicely decorated. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and there are lots of photos and quotes on the internal walls. This gives the children a sense of belonging. One social worker said, ‘The home is well presented and welcoming, and has a really relaxed but energetic vibe every time I visit.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff maintain good communication with children’s families. This provides children with a support network where they feel safe to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. One family member said, ‘Staff are excellent, nothing is too much trouble and staff keep us updated on all aspects of [name of child’s] well-being.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access a range of activities both inside and outside of the home. Activities include walking, baking, roller skating, listening to and playing music, playing football, and bike rides. This supports children to pursue their interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to become more independent and develop new skills, depending on their age and understanding. Staff support children to complete tasks around the house, including hoovering, wiping down the worktops and cooking, which help to promote their independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are in good health, and staff actively encourage and support children to attend health appointments. All children’s healthcare needs are detailed in their plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is good information-sharing between the staff and children’s education providers. Children’s education is promoted, and there has been improved attainment and attendance. One educational professional said, ‘[Name of child] has grown in confidence with their schoolwork.’

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

Staff take the time to listen to children and help them to understand their emotions. This helps the children to manage their behaviours more effectively.

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

Children have individual risk assessments that are consistently reviewed and updated by managers and staff. Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities and take time to talk to children and educate them about risk. Staff use these discussions to increase Inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 4 children’s understanding and safety. Staff have a good understanding of the missing- from-home procedures.

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

There is good multi-agency working. The managers work closely with professionals to ensure that the children receive appropriate support. One social worker said, ‘Staff maintain constant communication and have attended all of the multi-agency meetings, which has supported timely information-sharing and decision-making.’

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

Staff are provided with regular mandatory training as well as other identified areas of training. Training includes safeguarding, first aid, deprivation of liberty, self-harming behaviour, internet safety and fire safety. This ensures that staff have the skills to support children’s individual needs.

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

Positive recognition and praise outweigh negative consequences. The use of natural consequences supports the children to restore and rebuild relationships in the home and have a sense of ownership. However, the effectiveness of consequences is not recorded. This means that there are missed opportunities to understand any lessons learned.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a dedicated, caring, and ambitious manager who advocates for the children. The manager has completed a leadership and management qualification. The manager ensures that he is present in the home and accessible to staff and children. The manager speaks about the children with warmth and enthusiasm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff maintain good levels of communication with other professionals. Professionals speak highly of the manager and staff. A child’s guardian said, ‘communication is exceptional.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions in line with the home’s statement of purpose. The sessions provide an opportunity for the staff to reflect on practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the home. The manager has good oversight of children’s progress and any changes needed. Staff all agree that the manager is supportive. One member of staff said, ‘Support from management is brilliant.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 5

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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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time, and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used, or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 23 August 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 6 within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that there is a detailed record of any consequences, which also includes the effectiveness of the consequence.

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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: 2669323 7

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Inspector

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2669323 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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