Children's home run by Good News Nwk Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2679067 1 Registered provider: Good News Nwk Ltd

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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 owned. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager.

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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: 10 October 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: 2679067 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/10/2023 Full Good 23/08/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2679067 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy living at this home. It is very well presented and maintained. Children’s bedrooms are personalised. They are equipped appropriately for the individual needs of each child. One parent said, ‘[Children’s names] are happy and that makes me happy. They are thriving there.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are comprehensive care plans for each child. They are reviewed and updated regularly. They clearly address the specific needs of the child and how these will be met. They are written in a positive way that describes the child’s personality.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The health needs of the children are well met. Children attend regular appointments with doctors, dentists and opticians. Children eat healthily and take part in activities that involve exercise. There is good and safe practice for the storage and administration of medication. Staff know what the medications are for. The manager has challenged health professionals if medications are not helping a child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The education and learning for the children are seen as very important. All children attend school full time. Staff help them with reading and communication skills. Staff support the children on their journeys to and from school. There is an effective working relationship between the staff and teachers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children very well. They understand the individual ways the children communicate. For example, noises that non-speaking children use to make choices. There is good use of social stories, pictures, symbols and Makaton.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have regular one-to-one discussions with children. These key-work sessions are well planned and help children learn. They also ensure that children are listened to. The recording of this time includes reflection and management oversight. This helps staff to have a better understanding of the children.

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

Staff understand the safeguarding of children with learning disabilities. Policies and procedures highlight the additional vulnerabilities of the children. This is supported by training in areas specific to the needs of each child.

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

Children’s unwanted behaviours are managed well by staff. There are clearly written plans to help staff know how to respond to children. Early action is taken to prevent situations escalating. These are based on knowing the children well and recognising when a child is upset or angry. As a result, physical intervention is rarely required. The manager helps staff learn from incidents and different ways to approach situations. Inspection report for children’s home: 2679067 4 There are clear assessments of known and potential risks to children. These are comprehensive owing to the children’s additional needs. They help staff to recognise the risk and how to respond. This helps to minimise the impact on children.

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

Children do not go missing from the home. Staff always care for the children one-to-one. However, there are clear plans and protocols in place for if a child should go missing from the home.

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

The manager ensures that safe recruitment processes are in place. These are used for all new staff joining the team. This includes staff appointed from overseas.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has met the requirement and recommendation from the previous inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that new staff receive a thorough induction. This is supported by a comprehensive training programme. This equips staff for caring for children with learning disabilities. The manager knows the strengths of the team and areas he would like to develop further.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular supervision sessions take place between the manager and staff. Other senior staff are also trained to deliver this support. There is a focus on reflecting on practice and the care given to children. Staff are also supported with their well-being, learning and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager holds monthly team meetings. They are constructive and discuss the children’s needs and progress in detail. There is additional time to discuss a monthly scenario. For example, what to do if a child is unwell. There are also separate child- focused key worker team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A range of quality assurance processes are used by the manager. There are monthly audits alongside daily and weekly checks. The manager also spends time with the children and observes staff practice. As a result, the manager has clear oversight of the care and protection of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The responsible individual supports the manager well. He is also supported by an assistant operations manager. The manager receives supervision internally each month. He also has additional monthly supervision with an external consultant. This gives the manager separate support for operational issues and his own development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s practice is child focused. He speaks very highly and fondly of the children. He is aspirational for each child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2679067 5

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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: 2679067 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: First Floor Offices, 25 Sanders Road, Finedon Road Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 4NL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nokuthula Mangwendeza

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2679067 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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