Children's Home run by Arnfield Care Limited in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2651753 1 Registered provider: Arnfield Care 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 home is privately run and provides care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since April 2024. A new suitably qualified manager has been appointed. The manager has submitted her registration application to Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home. One child had recently left the home.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2651753 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/03/2024 Full Good 20/06/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2651753 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious and well furnished. It has a games room for the children and a large outdoor area equipped with football nets. The home is personalised with children’s artwork and photographs of residents and staff displayed throughout, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms, allowing them to express their individuality.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The setting provides a homely environment where staff and children share meals together regularly, reinforcing a family-like atmosphere. This approach effectively ensures that each child feels valued, cared for, and supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to building and maintaining positive relationships with the children, taking time to understand each child. Children feel confident in approaching staff for support, knowing they have a trusted adult with whom they can share any concerns. The children report having good relationships with the staff, and they feel comfortable and secure in their environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children attend the education provision attached to the home. For one child, this is the first time they have attended a school setting in over two years. Children are making good progress in education relative to their starting points. Staff demonstrate high ambitions for the children, actively supporting their attendance and educational achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Overall, staff administer children’s medications safely and in accordance with protocol. However, staff are not yet recording when children refuse medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are consistently supported to spend quality time with the people who are important to them. Staff make significant efforts to foster and maintain strong relationships with parents, demonstrating a commitment to collaborative care. This approach enhances the emotional well-being and social development of the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children leave the home, there is a focus on ensuring positive endings. Even in instances of unplanned departures, the welfare and well-being of all children remain the primary concern. Staff carefully consider the needs and feelings of all residents, ensuring that the transition is managed with the utmost care and consideration.

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

The home has been through a challenging time recently, with a high level of incidents relating to one child, who has recently moved from the home. There are multiple recorded incidents of physical intervention. However, these interventions are appropriate, risk-assessed, and in line with the child’s relevant plans. All staff members are appropriately trained, equipping them to perform interventions competently and safely. Inspection report for children’s home: 2651753 4 Staff are knowledgeable about the behaviours of the children and proactively attempt to de-escalate situations as they arise. Interventions occur at an early stage to prevent further escalation. Physical intervention is used solely when necessary to protect the child or others and is always proportionate. There is robust management oversight of incident records, and timely debriefs are conducted with both staff and children.

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

There is a clear system in place to tackle missing-from-home episodes, and these are clearly recorded, including all attempts made to locate children and keep in contact with them when they are missing. Missing-from-home protocols are followed and professionals are updated during and following incidents. Staff understand the missing- from-home procedures and what to do if a child goes missing from home.

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

Individual, up-to-date risk assessments effectively address any known vulnerabilities for each child. These assessments outline specific actions for staff to manage identified risks. For one child, risks have reduced significantly, and they are being supported to have more freedom and responsibility because of this.

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

Children know how to complain. A clear complaints process is in place. The manager responds to complaints in a timely manner, and actions taken are communicated back to the children. This process is reinforced during children’s meetings, ensuring transparency and accessibility.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is new in post and demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to the children and the home. She is suitably experienced and ensures the smooth running of the home by always making herself available to staff and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they are well led and managed. The staff speak highly of the manager, reflecting a positive and supportive work environment. The emotional impact of the work on staff is acknowledged and managed well by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a thorough understanding of the strengths and vulnerabilities of her team and has established clear plans for staff development and upskilling. Both staff and leaders benefit from ongoing support and constructive challenge through regular handovers and team meetings, fostering continuous learning and development within the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work proactively and positively with other agencies and professionals. They are dedicated to building effective working relationships with parents, social workers and other relevant professionals. One professional said, ‘I am really impressed with the home and the manager. The communication is excellent.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is properly staffed to meet the children’s needs. Recruitment processes are robust, and children are encouraged to be involved in the interview process. Inspection report for children’s home: 2651753 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that medicines must be administered in line with a medically approved protocol. Records must be kept of the administration of all medication, which includes occasions when prescribed medication is refused. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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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: 2651753 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Arnfield Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Arnfield Tower Activity Centre, Manchester Road, Tintwistle, Glossop SK13 1NE

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Inspector

Lauren Barwell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2651753 7 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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