Children's Home run by Homes2Inspire Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1256367 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire 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

The home is run by a private company that is owned and operated by a national charity. It is registered to provide care for up to five children with emotional and social difficulties.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1256367 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/07/2022 Full Good 07/07/2021 Full Good 13/08/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1256367 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, three children have moved on and three children have come to live at the home. Two children have lived at the home for a long period of time, which has created stability. When children move into the home, they are welcomed in a planned sensitive way. The manager and staff ensure that they are well prepared and have effective plans ready for moving in. This means that children quickly receive the help and guidance they need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children currently living at the home enjoy positive and meaningful relationships with staff. Children enjoy spending time with staff. There is lots of fun and laughter. Staff show emotional warmth and understanding to children. Staff use their knowledge, skills and experience to meet the needs of the children in a nurturing manner. This helps children to build trusting strong relationships with staff, which helps children to feel settled in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged and supported to explore their interests. They enjoy many positive experiences and develop hobbies and talents. For example, one child has developed the skill of playing guitar and is learning different languages. Children access community activities on a regular basis. Children are supported to take age-appropriate risks, and they benefit from having new experiences. Children are motivated to achieve their goals. Because of this, they grow in confidence and self-belief.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with people who are most important to them. Staff go above and beyond to make sure that family time is maintained where appropriate. Children enjoy spending time with their friends out in the community and enjoy clubs and local leisure facilities. Children are also involved in contributing to charities. For example, they have made cakes and have fundraising mornings. As a result, children are involved in the wider community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress in school. Children are encouraged and supported to attend their educational placement. Some children have recently completed their exams and will be going to local colleges at the start of the new term. As children become older, staff help them prepare for adult life and support them to be independent. This positive attitude and approach encourages children to achieve and make academic progress.

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

Children enjoy the trusting relationships built with the staff. They provide a strong and consistent routine, which children benefit from. Children grow in confidence and self- esteem. This supports children to feel safe and secure. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256367 4 Staff complete the mandatory training required. They also receive bespoke training which is tailored to the needs of the children. Staff discuss safeguarding issues in team and one-to-one meetings. This provides opportunities for staff to discuss and reflect more about specific safeguarding issues. As a result, training is focused on care, support and the safeguarding needs of children.

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

Children are safer because their risk assessments and plans provide clarity and direction for staff. When there is an incident of concern, the manager and staff reflect on the plans and risks and adjust plans if required. Plans are also subject to regular updating, so they accurately reflect children’s risks and vulnerabilities. These plans provide staff with the direction they need to support and protect children.

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

Children rarely engage in risk-taking behaviours. When there has been an incident, staff are clear of their roles and duties to manage the situation should they need to. Staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities, creating a culture whereby children’s safety and well-being are central to everything that staff do.

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

Children live in a large home which has been redecorated in some areas. The home environment reflects that children are valued. All rooms are homely and inviting. The children have been able to influence the decoration of the home. Their rooms are personalised giving them a sense of pride and belonging. Two children enjoy having their own pets that are clearly cared for. This supports children to take care of their environment. However, the back external garden area requires attention as it is overgrown in places.

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

Complaints and concerns are escalated, and appropriate procedures are followed. Any conclusions and recommendations are implemented by the management team. This ensures that safeguarding protocols are consistently followed.

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

Safer recruitment processes are followed. There are clear and effective processes in place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a passionate role model and leads by example. The manager is clear of her aspirations for the home and children – she wants nothing but the best. She talks about children with compassion and understanding. The manager is well aware of the strengths and areas of improvements for moving the home forward and is beginning to embed her vision with each child being at the heart of everything.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is diverse, and each person brings their own skills and experience. This is integrated into a consistent approach. Staff enjoy their work. They see themselves as a ‘work family’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Effective management systems are in place. Children’s records are of a good standard and provide details of the nurturing care provided. Regular audits take place to ensure Inspection report for children’s home: 1256367 5 that plans are dynamic in nature and change with the child. This supports the progression and achievement of children’s goals for their future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership work with external agencies is very positive. During this inspection, professionals commended the manager and staff on the positive quality of care provided. A common thread in the feedback provided by stakeholders and family and carers is the progress children make and how happy they are living at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256367 6

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Recommendations

 The registered manager should ensure the home to be nurturing and a supportive environment that meets the needs of their children. With particular reference for the external garden areas (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 1256367 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 3h, Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby CV21 1TQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Kathryn Scoltock

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Inspector

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1256367 8 regulates and inspects 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 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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