Children's Home run by Nurture Support Services Limited in St Helens

Inspection report for children's home: 2711439 1 Registered provider: Nurture Support 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 is a privately owned children’s home that provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in March 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in the home at the time of this inspection. Both children were spoken to by the inspector.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2711439 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/07/2023 Full Inadequate 16/05/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2711439 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Living in the home has significantly enhanced the life chances of the children. Both children moved into the home in emergency situations on the same day. The consistent care provided by leaders, managers and staff helped the children to settle into the home well. As a result, the children have a sense of stability. They enjoy living in the home and are making exceptional progress in all areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have developed trusting relationships with the staff and openly share their wishes and feelings with them. Children and staff show how much trust and respect they have for each other. Staff and children talk with warmth about each other and they clearly enjoy spending quality time together.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are now actively engaging in education after previously struggling to stay in school. The staff team has collaborated diligently with other professionals to foster positive relationships. As a result, the children have exceeded expectations, with one child completing their GCSEs and the other their mock exams this year. The progress they have made in education is exceptional, given their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are supported to develop their independence skills. They receive assistance from staff to complete their passport to independence. Activities aimed at building these skills are embedded throughout their routines. The children are being prepared with essential life skills for their future independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff understand and respond effectively to the needs of the children. They provide clear and consistent boundaries, contributing to the children’s sense of belonging, well-being and security. Positive relationships between the children and staff help the children to feel safe and nurtured.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is a positive, nurturing and welcoming environment. The home is decorated nicely and has a relaxed atmosphere. The children have personalised their own bedrooms and there are photos throughout the home of children, their families and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff spoke about the children with enormous pride and understanding.

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

Staff have a very good understanding of the individual risks and vulnerabilities of the children. Effective safeguarding practices are in place, ensuring a strong sense of safety and well-being for the children, neither of whom have gone missing from the home. The staff engage the children in creative ways to de-escalate situations, helping them understand how to keep themselves safe. Inspection report for children's home: 2711439 4 The children are safeguarded effectively through the use of dynamic care plans and risk assessments. These are regularly reviewed and updated. The children participate in direct-work sessions tailored to their individual needs, significantly increasing their knowledge and ability to keep themselves safe.

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

Staff have a comprehensive knowledge of children’s risks and vulnerabilities and take time to talk to children and educate them about risk. This ensures that plans remain current and effective.

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

Children live in a very safe environment, and they are protected from harm. The staff caring for children are well trained in safeguarding. Staff are clear of their roles and responsibilities should they have concerns about children.

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

Staff support the children in understanding and managing their behaviours. The extremely positive relationships between staff and children, along with the high level of support provided, have made physical interventions and consequences unnecessary. This reflects the quality of care and support from the staff. Children are involved in identifying their own reparative actions in response to their behaviour and can reflect on their actions with staff support. They are learning to recognise and manage their behaviours independently.

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

The manager and staff use research-informed practice in a sustained way, which makes an exceptional difference to the lives of the children. Research is embedded in the home at all levels, from staff meetings and supervision to staff being supported to include their own research in direct-work sessions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are strong and passionate about their roles and have worked proactively to address the requirements raised at the last inspection. They maintain high standards and have ambitious goals for what the staff and children can achieve. They model positive behaviours and support staff in developing their skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are aspirational for the children in their care. They have a clear plan for the children and can take effective action to support them. The managers and leaders challenge other professionals appropriately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have strong working relationships with partner agencies, who have reported positive interactions with the staff and managers. This collaboration ensures that care plans, risk assessments and rewards are well integrated, providing children with consistent and high-quality care. As a result, children’s experiences and future outcomes are significantly enhanced.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers create a supportive environment for all staff. Staff benefit from comprehensive supervision, induction and training that includes a wide range of topics, including specific training tailored to the individual needs of the children. This ensures that staff have up-to-date knowledge in care practices and opportunities for continuous Inspection report for children's home: 2711439 5 learning and development. The children feel secure knowing that they have staff who can respond effectively to their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff incorporate research-informed practice into their day-to-day practice well. Research is evident in supervision, key-worker sessions and team meetings. Managers encourage the integration of research throughout practice, fostering a confident and skilled team of staff. Staff connect research to practice effectively and consistently apply this in their work, making an exceptional difference to the lives of the children. Leaders and managers are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. They take decisive and effective action to improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers foster a positive team spirit among the staff. The staff feel that leaders and managers support them exceptionally well, as do their colleagues. Staff are involved in decision-making and feel valued for their views and contributions. Consequently, staff are dedicated and committed to their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The new manager should ensure that they complete all relevant training as part of their induction.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There was a slight delay in Ofsted being notified of a serious incident. The incident was managed appropriately. Leaders and managers have reflected on this delay and accept that they could have notified Ofsted before the outcome of the investigation. Inspection report for children's home: 2711439 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when the new manager takes over, they complete appropriate training and should understand the key role the manager plays in the training and development of staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)  The registered person should ensure that they have a system in place so that all serious events are notified within 24 hours to the appropriate people. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.13)

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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: 2711439 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nurture Support Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 35 Prescot Road, St Helens WA10 3UF

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Inspector

Debbie Dawson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2711439 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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