Children's Home run by Shropshire Council in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2747302 1 Registered provider: Shropshire Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home is registered to provide care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is on maternity leave. The acting manager was confirmed in post in September 2024. The acting manager is suitably qualified and is working towards a level 5 qualification. The acting manager has not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in 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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2747302 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children living in the home were spoken to during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individualised care. Staff understand the children’s needs and the support they require to progress in all areas of their development. One child said that they enjoy living in their home and feel supported by staff. A parent spoke positively about how staff are supporting their child to live safely with their family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is welcoming and homely. The communal areas are comfortable with photos of children enjoying activities. The bedrooms reflect the children’s individuality. Each child’s bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and a kitchenette area to support independence. Children and staff have planted vegetables and fruit trees in the back garden.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their education and employment. One child goes to college and works part time as part of their independence. Another child has recently withdrawn from college. The manager is exploring additional resources to support the child’s future education and employment options.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to participate in activities which support their wider education and build their confidence. The children enjoy sport, outdoor activities and going on day trips with staff. One child said that they enjoyed climbing in a national park with a member of staff and is looking forward to visiting other national parks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop their independence with support from staff. This includes practical skills, such as cooking, budgeting and keeping their bedrooms clean. Children learn how to live safely in the community. The manager supported one child to make a complaint to their employer regarding a colleague’s behaviour. The complaint was upheld by the employer, and the child received an apology.

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

Managers and staff understand the children’s individual needs and the support they require. Therefore, children are kept safe. There are detailed risk assessments and support plans for all children. Managers review and update these plans to provide guidance for staff in supporting children. For example, staff have supported one child to live with their family safely, and another child has been supported to move into adult supported living.

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

Children know how to make complaints regarding their care and safety. The manager supported one child to make a complaint against the local authority regarding their personal information being shared without their consent. The child said that they felt listened to and reassured by the actions taken by the manager. Inspection report for children’s home: 2747302 3 Children enjoy time with their family and friends safely with the support of staff. This means that staff understand the support children require to develop their personal relationships. When children share concerns, staff support them to explore their views and come to resolutions safely. Staff support children to develop a safe relationship with their parents. As a result, one child has returned to live with their family. Staff continue to support and visit the child. Therefore, staff are supporting children when they leave the home.

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

Staff keep professionals supporting the children up to date with their progress. A member of a virtual school and a psychologist said that staff are keeping them updated regarding a child’s individual needs. Therefore, all professionals are working together to support the child and keep them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The acting manager is working hard to develop a consistent leadership and skilled staff team. All staff have been safely recruited. There was a delay in the manager being confirmed in post. This has not affected the children as the manager has previously been the deputy manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they feel valued and supported in their learning and development. Each member of staff receives a detailed induction, which includes being supported by a senior member of staff. There is a detailed training plan for all staff to attain the required qualifications and to equip them with the skills to support children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive supervision and participate in team meetings, which develops their learning and practice. The manager supports staff to share their learning and practice in team meetings. For example, one member of staff delivered a learning workshop on how to support children therapeutically. This provides wider staff learning in supporting children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have established clear monitoring and review systems. For example, the manager reviews the risk assessments and support plans regularly. Therefore, staff understand the children’s individual needs and the support they require. The manager has reviewed how children’s information is shared with professionals. Only professionals who are authorised to have access to children’s records can do so, which means that children’s information is protected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have a vision to support children’s independence. The manager and staff recognise children will require various levels of support to develop their independence. For example, one child requires support in respect of their medication. The manager acknowledges staff will continue to require ongoing training in supporting children’s independence alongside their caring responsibilities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2747302 4

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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: 2747302 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND

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Inspector

Siân Heffey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2747302 6 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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