Children's Home run by Regional Therapeutic Homes Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2674029 1 Registered provider: Regional Therapeutic Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private company. The home provides care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties. Three children lived at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post has been vacant since February 2024. The deputy manager has been appointed as manager but is not yet registered with Ofsted. The home also has a newly appointed responsible individual who is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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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 good

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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: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2674029 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/08/2023 Full Outstanding 26/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2674029 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Day-to-day experiences for children are exceptional. Children who live here respond positively to clear boundaries and expectations. The integrated therapeutic approach has made a significant difference to the children’s lives. The home’s therapeutic input is creating an environment where children are thriving. It is embedded in all aspects of the children’s care. This is reflected in the excellent way staff work with parents and professionals. One parent proudly said, ‘I didn’t think anyone would understand my child as well as, if not more, than I do.’ Children say they are extremely happy and settled in their home. They have developed secure attachments and positive relationships with the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children view the in-house therapist as part of the care team. This is improving participation and engagement levels in direct work with her. It also improves their ability to reflect on their behaviours, attitudes and beliefs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s opinions and wishes are expertly reflected in the home. One child said she loved that her home is now full of colour. She asked for her bedroom to be redecorated and is pleased that the decor now reflects the changes in her. She highlighted that her room is now lighter and brighter than the darker decor she had selected when she moved in and that it now matches her improved mood and approach to life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child had a positive move from this home to their new home. Staff acted swiftly and effectively when challenging the child’s placing authority about care planning decisions. This resulted in a better outcome for the child and a planned and supported move. Leaders focused on the child’s best interests to ensure that she had a positive end to her time here.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have arrived at the home facing significant challenges. These included school refusal, low mood, self-harming behaviours and suicidal ideation. The staff excel at building trusting relationships and setting boundaries. This stability has led to improving the children’s sense of self-worth. It has improved school attendance and reduced their risk-taking behaviours.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child now has extended stays with her family. Important relationships have been nurtured and repaired. This is possible because of the effective partnership working between the staff and family members. The therapist has been pivotal to this success. This child now enjoys stronger family relationships and is successfully completing an apprenticeship, having made transformational progress during her time at this home.

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

Any areas of risk are well identified and addressed with each child. Children who arrived with high levels of risk-taking behaviour are now extremely settled. Children recognise Inspection report for children's home: 2674029 4 the positive changes that they have made. They say they feel part of their home and are involved in decision-making.

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

Staff manage situations effectively and efficiently de-escalate incidents. Children are involved in discussions about expectations and consequences when these are not followed. Children are involved in setting the expectations for positive behaviours. Their involvement means that they are invested in adhering to the expectations. This has led to minimal negative behaviour. It also helps children quickly understand the impact of their behaviours. They can now take ownership of the decisions and choices they make. This empowers them in the home, at school and with their families and friends.

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

Children are taking fewer risks. When they are involved in risky behaviours, the team supports them to understand the need for change and why the behaviours are seen as risky. One child is leaving the home shortly. Staff are working with her to ensure that she navigates her choices and friendships in a safer way. This is because there are still some concerns about her ability to identify risks.

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

Incidents of self-harm and bullying are significantly reduced. Children rarely go missing, despite this being a known risk when they moved into the home. Children say that this is because they feel safe and cared for at home and have no desire to go missing now. Staff know the protocols to follow should this occur. However, they successfully use their rapport with the children to de-escalate challenging situations.

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

A child who lived at the home for a short time displayed worrying behaviours. The child’s mental health and suicidal intent meant that she moved out after a brief period. She was admitted to hospital before moving to her new home. Staff showed care and sensitivity, ensuring that two staff always remained with her. Her social worker praised the team, saying, ‘I think all the staff there deserve gold stars, they have been fantastic.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The post of registered manager has been vacant since February 2024. Changes in the leadership team have been made sensitively which has minimised the impact on children. The acting manager is the former deputy manager, and is respected by the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff describe the manager as thoughtful and supportive. She is passionate about providing good care for children. She wants them to make good progress. She and her team are dedicated to greatly improving children’s life chances.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home boasts a diverse staff team, differing in age, gender and experience, which helps the children learn the life lesson of acceptance and understanding of others. Morale is high, with everyone striving for excellence for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders maintain high expectations for the children, helping them focus on their futures. They are equally aspirational for the staff, actively seeking to assist them in developing Inspection report for children's home: 2674029 5 their skills and careers. Some team members are new to residential work and feel that they have benefited from a thorough induction process.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership team provides effective individual and group supervision sessions. The group sessions are led by the home’s therapist, giving staff opportunities to explore their learning and development. This model of support to staff helps reinforce the therapeutic care approach of the company.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is creative in its approach to the care of children, guided by the home’s therapeutic model. The manager is acutely aware of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. The leaders consistently advocate for the children, always working in their best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leaders share an ambitious vision for the home. They are clear about how to support children and staff development, including being unapologetic advocates for the children. This approach ensures they effectively and promptly challenge any obstacles that arise. Recently, a placing authority shared information with a child before advising the staff. This caused great distress to the child and their parent. Leaders met with the authority and challenged the rationale. A compromise was reached, allowing the child to have a planned move from the home. This level of challenge has enabled the manager to be clear about the honest and open approach they use with the children and helped the placing authority to improve its practice.

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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: 2674029 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Regional Therapeutic Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 66c Askew Road, London W12 9BJ

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Inspector

Sonia Hay, Ofsted Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2674029 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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