Children's Home run by Branas Isaf (Holdings) Ltd in Herefordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1257074 1 Registered provider: Branas Isaf (Holdings) 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 owned by a private organisation. It specialises in providing therapeutic care for eight boys, up to the age of 18 years, who present with sexually harmful behaviours. The home provides accommodation across five houses that range from individual solo-living cottages to shared-living homes.

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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: 15 January 2024

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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: 1257074 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/01/2024 Full Good 15/03/2023 Full Good 08/12/2021 Full Outstanding 07/01/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1257074 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, three children have moved out of the home and three have moved into the home. Four children remain living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individualised care from dedicated staff. The manager and staff have reflective discussions with children, which is documented in placement plans and in clinical assessments. The children are encouraged to contribute to their plans, and then these are updated to reflect their goals and wishes. The clear plans, and regular reviews of them, ensure that children’s successes are celebrated and that progress is monitored.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are attending full-time education. Staff have good communication with teachers, who they work with collaboratively to support children to achieve their targets and to be aspirational about their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are active members of clubs and take part in a variety of activities within the community. These activities include volunteering, completing charity runs, attending youth groups and enjoying holidays together. To ensure long-lasting experiences, staff capture memories in individual picture books. Consequently, children are developing confidence, and the enhanced peer relationships support them to feel happy and content.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Consultation with children is frequent, and each child has the opportunity to influence their day-to-day experiences. For example, staff have changed the decor of the home and planned activities and takeaway treats in response to children expressing their views. This practice ensures that the voice of the child is considered and acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to develop and maintain relationships with those who are important to them. Staff are flexible and considerate and arrange transport and activities for children who live a long distance from home. One child has recently gone on holiday abroad with his family, which was a positive experience for them. In addition, friends are welcomed to the home to celebrate children’s birthdays. This practice ensures that children’s social networks are developed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager works effectively with external professionals to ensure that there are clear plans for children when they move into and out of the home. Staff have successfully supported children to return home to their families and to other settings that are more suited to their needs. When children move into the home, staff ensure that they understand how to support children’s interests and that they understand children’s previous experiences. This is a home where children benefit from the care they receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 1257074 4 The home’s environment has improved following redecoration and refurbishment. There are lots of homely touches that help to provide a welcoming environment.

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

The manager and staff develop strong relationships with all children. They understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities, and plans are regularly reviewed by managers to ensure that practice remains consistent. As a result, children feel safe and incidents are rare.

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

When children go missing from home, the manager ensures that staff follow agreed procedures, and children are encouraged to return home. All episodes of children going missing are shared with relevant agencies to promote children’s well-being and safety planning. Following an incident, staff support children to reflect and learn about risk, and the information provided by children is used to inform staff practice to reduce further incidents.

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

Staff physically intervene when necessary to keep children and staff safe. The manager has made improvements to record-keeping to ensure that information is clear and meets regulation. Following incidents, children and staff are provided with debriefing sessions. Furthermore, staff conduct educational workshops with children to support reflection. As a result, children make informed choices in the future, and interventions are low in number.

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

The manager responds appropriately to allegations and safeguarding concerns. When investigations take place, these are effective. When learning outcomes are identified, the manager quickly actions the required changes.

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

Staff complete daily mobile phone checks, which is in line with agreed plans. However, when staff identify concerns during these checks, this is not always discussed with the child. This does not ensure that children receive the appropriate support to reduce risk and limits staff’s understanding of the choices children are making.

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

Medication is safely administered and stored. Staff consult with health professionals when changes are required, for example when a child no longer wants to take the medication. This ensures that children’s health needs are met.

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

Children’s doors are alarmed at night. There are assessments in place to record this use, but the assessments do not reflect the individualised reason why alarms are used. This makes it difficult to determine if the practice is proportionate or reasonable. Inspection report for children’s home: 1257074 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is highly committed and driven to provide a high standard of care. She knows all the children well and ensures that the home is a place where children feel safe, happy and supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy working at the home. They say that they feel supported and valued and that the new manager has brought about positive change.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have developed effective partnership working with external professionals. Professionals value effective communication and proactive information- sharing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and attend monthly team meetings. The manager supports the team to reflect on children’s achievements and areas of development within the home and provides updates on policies and organisational changes. This promotes an open culture within the home and supports consistency of practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a wide range of training that reflects children’s needs and equips staff with the skills and knowledge they need. The manager has planned additional training for later in the year, which will provide staff with further insight into the impact of emotional health and trauma and attachment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although staff are knowledgeable about the children’s care needs, the manager has not always ensured that children’s case records contain up-to-date and accurate information from their placing authorities. Inspection report for children’s home: 1257074 6

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that staff completing phone checks respond to identified risks and promptly speak to children so that they understand risks. 18 September

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children. (Regulation 24 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that door alarms are only used as set out in a child’s agreed risk assessment. 18 September

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that children’s up-to-date care plans are in place. 18 September Inspection report for children’s home: 1257074 7

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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: 1257074 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Branas Isaf (Holdings) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5th Floor, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspectors

Sophie Hills, Social Care Inspector Stacie Sharpe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1257074 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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