Children's Home run by Emerge Care and Therapeutic Solutions Limited in Staffordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2678053 1 Registered provider: Emerge Care and Therapeutic Solutions Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home; two children were spoken to.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

p.1

Inspection date: 9 October 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 9 October 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2678053 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have trusting relationships with the staff who care for them. Children say that they are happy and that they feel safe.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children live in a home that is warm and welcoming. Staff put photos of children around the home, and certificates to recognise children’s achievements are on display. Children are supported to personalise their bedrooms, and they have their say on the things they would like for the home through regular meetings. As a result, children feel a sense of belonging and feel valued in the home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The staff and the manager prioritise children’s education, and as a result, children make good progress. The manager advocated well for a child to ensure that they obtained a place at a local school. The child commented that staff try ‘really hard’ to support them to attend school. A child’s social worker wrote that their child was now attending school as a result of the dedicated support of the staff and that this was a significant achievement for their child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to develop independent living skills. One child has been given a budget, done their own shopping and cooked their own meals. All children benefit from regular discussions about areas of need. One child made significant progress with their independent skills and moved on from the home into supported accommodation in line with their plans, wishes and feelings. The move was well planned and included visits. As a result, they settled quickly and their experience was positive.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff and children benefit from the support of a clinical team. Clinicians provide individual therapy sessions for children in accordance with their needs, and they also meet regularly with staff to discuss how children can be best supported. Good therapeutic support has contributed to children developing their skills in emotional regulation. Since the last inspection, incidents of damage in the home have substantially reduced.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff search for children when they go missing from care and respond sensitively to children when they return. However, children’s plans and risk assessments do not always provide staff with clear guidance on when to report children missing to the police. As a result, staff are not clear about how long they should look for children before they report them as missing. The manager has a plan to update children’s missing-from-home protocols with clear guidance that is individualised to each child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff are trained in how to de-escalate incidents, and the use of physical intervention is rare. When physical intervention is used, it is always a last resort and proportionate. Records relating to physical interventions are clear and detailed; Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2678053 3 however, the manager does not always complete evaluations after incidents. This means that opportunities to review the effectiveness of interventions are missed.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager was new to the home at the last inspection and has created a lot of positive change. Children and staff recognise the positive impact the manager has had for the home. A child said, ‘Everything is better since the manager came.’ A staff member said the manager is the best they have ever had. As a result of the ongoing development at this home, a requirement and recommendation raised at the last inspection have been met.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Although the manager has made improvements to the home, her use of monitoring and review systems to improve the quality of care is not yet consistent. For example, after one incident, staff were spoken to as a group. The manager did not complete an evaluation after the incident and so failed to identify how this could inhibit staff reflections on practice. The manager recognises the shortfalls that remain and has clear plans for how these will be addressed.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff benefit from regular supervision and say that they feel well supported. Staff also benefit from a range of comprehensive training, and training is individualised to children’s needs. The manager’s oversight of training is good, and she follows up with staff as needed to ensure they complete the training they have been set. As a result, children are supported by staff who have the necessary skills for the role.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The manager benefits from the support of a strong team of senior managers, who regularly attend team meetings and complete audits. They provide clear action plans that help inform the manager of areas for development and drive progress in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2678053 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/12/2023 Full Good 13/12/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2678053 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that they maintain effective oversight of records in the home, including those relating to incidents, and that they review these in order to make continuous improvements in the quality of care. 4 December 2024

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; 4 December 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2678053 6 take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vi))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children’s plans include clear guidance on the steps for staff to take to keep children safe, including when children go missing from care.

p.6

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

p.6

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the effectiveness of measures of control is reviewed, including physical interventions. 4 December 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2678053 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Emerge Care and Therapeutic Solutions Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5 Rockside, Mow Cop, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 4PG

p.7

Inspector

Laura Norcop, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2678053 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

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 .

p.8

Inspector

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8