Children's home run by WiNurture Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2777899 1 Registered provider: WiNurture Childcare Limited 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 five children with learning disabilities. Four children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. The children were spoken to as part of the inspection. 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: 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: 2777899 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children like living at this home. They like their rooms and the homely environment that has been created. Children are comfortable spending time with staff. One child said, ‘It’s fun to live here.’ Another said, ‘The staff are nice, and they help me.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s placement plans are written from the viewpoint of the child. The placement plans are called ‘My Plan’ and created alongside the children. They address the support required for all aspects of each child’s life. The aims and objectives of the placement at this home are clearly identified, and this means that the staff know what they should be doing to help the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is seen as central to the children’s progress. The manager and staff have worked hard to ensure that children access the learning opportunities they need to make progress. These are specific to each child’s needs and circumstances. As a result, children who had no education provision now have tutors, and plans are in place to get them into schools.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The health needs of children are met well. They are clearly recorded in the child’s placement plan. There is an additional medical protocol for each child. Staff understand the children’s health needs and the reasons for any medication the child may be taking. There are good and safe processes for storing, administering and checking medication. Health professionals are appropriately accessed when required.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s voices are heard and responded to. Children and staff have regular one-to-one conversations, and home meetings are effective in obtaining the views and opinions of the children. Requests are followed up with a ‘you said, we did’ response, and this is communicated back to the children. This ensures that children feel listened to and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to learn and develop their independence skills. This is appropriate to each child’s age, understanding and ability. Older children are helped to develop budgeting, shopping and cooking skills. The manager has created a programme to aid this process, and this is constantly reviewed as children develop the new skills they need to live independently.

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

Staff have a good understanding of risks that may affect children. Risk assessments are specific to each child. They are clear and detailed and give advice to staff as to how to manage the risks. They are reviewed and updated regularly. There are additional risk assessments and protocols for each child, addressing missing from the home. An assessment of risks in the locality has been made after consultation with outside agencies, including the police. Inspection report for children’s home: 2777899 3 Children’s crisis management plans address behaviours that are difficult to manage. They set out for staff how each child might present at different stages when they are upset or angry. They each include a plan in case the child needs to be held for their own or other people’s safety. There are staff reflection and learning following a child being held. This includes the manager talking about the incident with the child and staff.

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

The manager responds appropriately to any allegations or complaints from children. This includes a thorough investigation. External safeguarding professionals are involved where required. There are meetings with the manager to reflect and learn. The manager leads mediation between the staff and child. As a result, children feel their concerns are taken seriously.

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

Children are supported well by staff if they have harmed themselves. Staff know the children well and are aware of any historic incidents. Clear ways to help the child are identified in the crisis management plan and risk assessment. An additional safety plan is created where required. Children are also helped to access specialist mental health services.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel extremely well supported by the manager and responsible individual. They say they love working at this home. One staff member said, ‘The managers are superb. They are understanding and always have time for concerns, worries, helpful suggestions and support.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children very well. She speaks very warmly and positively about them all. The manager described the children as kind, caring, incredible and ‘just a gift.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that new staff receive a thorough induction. This includes, shadowing shifts and training. An induction booklet has been created and is overseen by a team leader. Staff are supervised regularly. These meetings discuss staff well-being, the progress children are making and staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The strengths of the team and areas that the manager wants to develop further are clearly identified. There is a comprehensive development plan. This includes developing the culture of the home and promoting equality and diversity. Children’s ideas have informed the plan.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are regularly held by the manager. They have a clear focus on the needs of the children. The manager has plans to develop these meetings further. This is to provide the opportunity for group learning and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager feels very well supported by a knowledgeable and dedicated responsible individual. The responsible individual visits the home a minimum of once a week. She Inspection report for children’s home: 2777899 4 knows the staff and children extremely well. The manager receives regular formal supervision with the responsible individual, who is also contactable at any time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A range of quality assurance processes are used by the manager. This includes weekly and monthly audits. Staff practice is observed and good practice praised. The manager sees talking with children as the most important way of knowing how well cared for and safe they feel. Inspection report for children’s home: 2777899 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: 2777899 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: WiNurture Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 40 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5BA

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2777899 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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