Children's Home run by Willcob Care Ltd in Bexley

Inspection report for children’s home: 2769384 1 Registered provider: Willcob Care 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 privately owned home provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted on 14 March 2024. The manager is currently undertaking the relevant qualification.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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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: 2769384 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have built a meaningful relationship with the child. They show compassion and warmth. They use their knowledge and understanding of the child to ensure that all aspects of care are child centred. This care reflects a genuine commitment to the child’s well-being and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have created a warm, welcoming environment. Staff slowly add items to the child’s bedroom in consideration of their sensory needs. This careful management has enabled the child to have photographs of people who are important to them displayed in their bedroom.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have worked hard to understand the child’s behavioural triggers. As a result, incidents have significantly decreased. The child’s social worker praised the home for supporting the child’s needs. This has led to positive experiences each day.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and managers support the child’s education. Every two weeks, they meet with professionals to discuss the child’s progress. Initially, there was no school placement in place. The home stressed the importance of this, and now there is virtual tuition. Moreover, the home has introduced picture communication. This change has improved the child’s ability to express their views.

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

The child’s care plan is tailored to their needs. Staff ensure that the plan remains up to date to reflect the child’s changing needs. This has ensured that the child has consistency in the care offered to them.

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

Staff understand potential risks and responses for the child. Behaviour support plans are linked to risk assessments and help to guide staff on how best to support the child. Regular reviews ensure that these crucial documents stay current and relevant.

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

Staff carry out relevant key-work sessions with the child. This helps to build important life skills, such as helping the child to learn to cook, do their own laundry, and see to their own personal care.

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

Safer recruitment practices are in place. Leaders and managers ensure that appropriate checks are carried out. There is a detailed induction and probation process.

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

While the child has not gone missing from care, staff have not learned the missing protocol. This means that if a child was to go missing, staff would not know what to do.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is ambitious and has high expectations for children. A passionate, responsible individual and a director of operations back these efforts. Together, they inspire the team Inspection report for children’s home: 2769384 3 to reflect, grow and deliver positive outcomes. Leader’s nurture individual development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the home, they are present and can offer guidance and feedback to support the team, the staff say that this has helped them overcome challenges.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child’s family and social worker shared a mutual acknowledgment of progress. The social worker observed significant progress in the child during a recent visit. She shared that her team was astonished by the progress the child has made when they viewed videos. According to a family member, the child has undergone a profound change.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff receive regular supervision, staff say that this is a space dedicated to support their development and practice. Team meetings take place monthly. This has helped provide a platform for sharing information and setting goals. Inspection report for children’s home: 2769384 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they specify the procedures to be followed and the roles and responsibilities of staff when a child is missing from care or away from the home without permission. (Guide to the Children’s Homes, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.29)

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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: 2769384 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cavendish House, Hoddesdon EN11 0LB

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Inspector

Jo Tarbie, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2769384 6 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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