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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2710826 1 Registered provider: Branas Isaf (Holdings) Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company and is registered to provide care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left the organisation in September 2024 and has not yet applied to cancel their registration with Ofsted. An acting manager who is suitably qualified is in day-to-day charge of the home. This was the home’s first inspection since registration.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. Both children were spoken to during the 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: 2710826 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive and warm relationships with staff and feel cared for. This means they feel safe and settled and enjoy living in their home. Staff listen to children’s views. This helps children to express their feelings. One child said staff are good and listen to what they want.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive specialist support through individual therapy. Each therapist provides advice to staff about the support for each child. This helps children to rebuild their relationships with their parents. One child is being supported to understand how to relax after college.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to attend college. Children receive support from staff during the college day. Because of this, children feel safe. Staff keep the college informed of the children’s individual needs. A college pastoral officer said there is excellent communication with the manager. This approach supports the college to understand the children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy seeing their families. Staff speak with children and their families about their family-time arrangements. This means the arrangements are safe and take into account the children’s views. Staff support children to see their families in the community and in their family homes. Consultation with social workers and children’s therapists keeps plans consistent for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children learn how to be independent. They have individual plans to learn how to cook and budget for food shopping. One child planned and cooked the evening meal for the home during the inspection. Staff support children to develop routines to clean their bedrooms and wash their clothes. Staff encourage children to take part in activities. One child enjoys cycling and another child is a member of a football club.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming. The high standard of decor and furniture creates a homely and comfortable environment. Children personalise their bedrooms with the support of staff. The children take pride in their bedrooms. One child showed the inspector the sports trophies and medals they have on display. The home has a large garden with football goals and overlooks a field of sheep. The manager and staff have created a nurturing home environment for children.

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

Staff know children’s needs. Comprehensive risk and support plans mean that staff understand the care and protection children need. The acting manager and therapists update the plans to reflect the children’s changing needs. For example, a plan for one child was updated to provide guidance for staff to support the child’s mental health. Inspection report for children’s home: 2710826 3 Children learn about online safety, including using social media and keeping personal information private. Children engage with the therapist to understand internet and phone safety. There are clear boundaries about the use of the internet and mobile phones. This means children have consistent routines, which creates a safe living environment.

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

Bullying in the home is not tolerated. Staff support children to speak to each other and to resolve difficulties. This helps children to share their views with each other. These resolution meetings support children to reflect on their actions and to share their views with each other. This approach is supporting children to learn how to live safely in the community.

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

Staff speak to external professionals to keep them updated about children’s needs. This means that children’s needs are clear for all professionals. A social worker said that staff are responsive and inform them about any incidents. An independent reviewing officer said that the care from staff is supporting the child. A therapist said the staff team is ‘brilliant’ at keeping them updated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The acting manager and deputy manager are working together to provide effective leadership. They share a vision to create a safe and nurturing environment to support children. Staff feel valued and share the leaders’ vision for the future development of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision and training are a priority for leaders. This means that staff receive a detailed induction, training plan and supervision. There are clear expectations for staff to attend team meetings. These meetings support the staff to reflect on their learning and practice. Because of this, staff develop the skills to care for and protect children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders support diversity, inclusion and equality. Staff support children to see their families. This helps children to maintain their family identity. Staff support children to create memory boxes and help them to share their lived experiences. The acting manager has aspirations to support children to learn about all cultures and to celebrate different festivals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are clear monitoring systems. The acting manager completes a monthly audit to review children’s care and progress, the home and staff’s care. Monitoring systems assist leaders to identify support for the children, staff and home. There is a clear system for the safe administration of medication. Leaders have created a guide in relation to the expiry of medication. There have been no medication errors.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager left the organisation in September 2024. There was a delay in leaders reporting the manager’s departure to Ofsted. Leaders arranged for a suitably experienced acting manager to lead the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2710826 4

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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

If the person who is in day-to-day charge of the children’s home proposes to be absent from the home for a continuous period of 28 days or more, the registered person must give notice in writing to HMCI of the proposed absence. (Regulation 48 (1)) 20 December

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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: 2710826 5

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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, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Siân Heffey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2710826 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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