–

Inspection report for children’s home: SC394463 1 SC394463 Registered provider: Cornerstone Children’s Homes Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company and is registered to provide care for up to three children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties. Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2023.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC394463 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/08/2023 Full Good 28/09/2022 Full Good 08/03/2022 Full Good 27/11/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC394463 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home and two children have moved in. Moves into the home are planned and managed in a child-centred way. One child has been living in the home for two years. The children have developed positive relationships with staff, who know them well and are attuned to their needs. The manager and staff care about the children and want them to do well.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and the manager ensure that children are supported to maintain relationships with the people who are important to them. Children are supported to build relationships with their peers, giving them opportunities for social interaction.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in a wide range of activities, with one child being supported to join a local football team. The children have also enjoyed a recent caravan holiday in Scotland. There is a focus in this home on building children’s resilience and self-esteem. Children are also encouraged to build their independence skills in an age-appropriate way, by helping with cooking, shopping and budgeting.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are able to express their feelings and wishes. Staff educate children on important issues such as staying safe, substance misuse and managing relationships, through regular discussions.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to understand their history and identity as part of their family. Staff are very supportive when children suffer bereavement and loss. Children have been taken to lay flowers and visit meaningful locations on memorable days or anniversaries.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have memory books, and their achievements are recorded. However, some records on children’s files are not up to date, such as when medical attention has been sought after incidents of substance misuse and contact made with professionals during missing-from-home episodes.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s individual health needs. They ensure that the children have good access to local services when they are required. Referrals to specialist health services are made quickly and children are supported to attend. One child has had a history of non- engagement with health services. After encouragement from staff and the manager, they are now accessing a range of health services.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child is now regularly attending an education setting that is tailored to their needs, after the manager successfully advocated for a change in provision. The child now has aspirations to obtain an apprenticeship after they have finished school. One child is not currently in education. A home education plan is in place and staff try to work creatively with the child to ensure that this is followed. The manager is working with education and social care professionals to find a suitable provision. The manager has been diligent in Inspection report for children’s home: SC394463 4 pursuing education provision and a tutor has now been agreed. However, the child would have benefited from this being provided earlier.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is furnished and decorated to a high standard, is well maintained and feels homely. Movement sensors are in use upstairs. These measures are based on assessments of each child’s needs. However, these assessments are not frequently reviewed to consider their continued relevance and effectiveness in ensuring the safety of the children.

p.4

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

The children have positive and trusting relationships with staff in the home. Interactions between the children and staff demonstrate that the children feel safe with the staff. Positive behaviour is promoted through rewards. When consequences are given, they are proportionate and fair and usually take a restorative approach.

p.4

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

There are clear plans in place that help the staff to understand how to meet each child’s individual needs. Incidents are generally well managed, and staff are trained and skilled in de-escalation techniques. This promotes a positive and non-confrontational culture. Physical intervention techniques are rarely used. When they are, they are proportionate and necessary. Good records are kept, which allow staff and children to learn from the inciden t and identify any patterns and trends.

p.4

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

There have been a high number of missing-from-home incidents, however, these are well managed, with staff actively searching for children. There are clear processes in place to prevent and manage these incidents. Staff and the manager work with a range of agencies and professionals, including the police, youth justice and social care. The youth justice mentor said, ‘There have been concerns regarding missing-from-home episodes. The care home are always willing to put new things in place and discuss with us when they need advice or opinions.’

p.4

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

Medication is managed safely, and staff ensure that this is reviewed regularly. When children are involved in accidents, appropriate medical attention is sought or first aid is given. Children are referred to specialist services for substance abuse and there has been a marked reduction in substance use by children. When children have been heavily under the influence of substances, medical advice has been sought and staff have followed advice. However, there have been some occasions when medical advice has not been obtained after low-level substance misuse. There is no multi-agency agreement in regard to when medical advice should be sought for children.

p.4

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

There are clear boundaries in the home and measures in place to identify risks to children. Staff complete room searches after incidents or suspicions of substance misuse and any forbidden items are removed. Children’s phones are checked when necessary and children are taught how to keep safe on the internet and social media. Inspection report for children’s home: SC394463 5 Staff complete a broad range of good-quality training on safeguarding matters and know how to report safeguarding concerns. There is excellent communication and joint working with safeguarding partners.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. Her practice is child-centred and meets each child’s needs. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘The registered manager is just fabulous in every way. She is extremely nurturing and child-focused.’ The manager is supported by the responsible individual, who is very involved in the daily running of the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff and the manager work effectively with other agencies and professionals. The manager is a strong advocate for children and provides effective challenge when necessary to secure the best outcome for the children and ensure that their voice is heard.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a comprehensive training programme in place which ensures that staff have the necessary skills to meet the needs of the children. Some staff are qualified and experienced in childcare. New members of staff complete an induction before being registered to attain a recognised childcare qualification.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they feel well supported by the manager and the responsible individual. Team meetings are held regularly and are well attended. Yearly appraisals have been carried out for relevant staff members. However, formal supervision has not been carried out regularly for some staff, meaning that they have not always had the opportunity to reflect on their practice.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Several new members of staff have been recruited, which means that there has been a reduction in the use of agency staff. However, safer recruitment practices have not always been followed. In one case, a full employment history has not been provided. Allegations against staff are dealt with appropriately and fully investigated. However, there has been one occasion when outcomes have not been fully documented. Inspection report for children’s home: SC394463 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.6

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.6

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that a full employment history is obtained for all staff employed. Additionally, any gaps in employment must be fully explored and analysed. 5 November 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

p.6

Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. (Regulation 36 (1)(a))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that records are kept which detail any contact with other agencies and services during missing-from-home episodes.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that records are kept of any contact with medical services for the child, including calls to seek medical advice. 5 November 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

mutual respect and trust; 5 November 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC394463 7 an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.7

Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(x))

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should convene a multi-agency meeting in order to formulate an agreed plan in relation to low-level substance misuse by children living in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.7)  The registered person should ensure that when a child placed in the home is not participating in education, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. The use of a tutor should be considered alongside any education provided in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that movement sensors in the home are only used to safeguard children. Furthermore, sensors and door alarms should only be used after a rigorous assessment of individual children’s needs, be properly recorded

p.7

Recommendations

and be kept under regular review. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10)  The registered person should ensure that when the relevant officer or local authority teams are informed of allegations of abuse against staff, outcomes are fully recorded. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.18) Inspection report for children’s home: SC394463 8

p.7

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: SC394463 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cornerstone Children’s Homes Limited

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4th Floor, Centenary House, Centenary Way, Manchester M50 1RF

p.9

Inspector

Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC394463 10 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.9

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.10