Children's home run by Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2608892 1 Registered provider: Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a local authority children’s trust. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

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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: 24 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: 2608892 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/01/2024 Full Good 07/02/2023 Full Good 07/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2608892 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spoke with both children living in the home during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they like living in this home and they are making progress from their starting points. They identify how their lives have improved since moving into the home. They are now experiencing greater stability after difficult periods. Staff are comfortable to use the language of love with children. Children build strong and trusting relationships with staff. This helps them to feel valued and cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from close collaboration between staff and school professionals. Children’s school attendance has increased as a result. One child moved into the home during a period of school exclusion. Managers worked quickly in building their knowledge of the child. They attended regular meetings to produce a plan to support the child’s return to education. Another child said their attendance has increased from 40% to 90% since living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to improve their health and well-being. One child recognised how staff helped them by establishing a routine. Their eating and sleeping habits have improved as a result. An assistant principal described staff as ‘relentless’ in addressing a long- standing health issue. The child’s personal appearance has improved. This promotes the child’s self-esteem and inclusion.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has been refurbished since the last inspection. Professionals say it is homely, and staff are welcoming and calm. Children’s interests and hobbies are visible around the home. This promotes a sense of belonging. The children’s bedrooms are personalised with many of their possessions. However, children previously living in the home chose the rooms’ decor. The manager has secured funding for improvements to the garden. This will create an outside space for children to enjoy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in their care planning. Their views are clearly incorporated in their plans, which contain short- and longer-term goals. Plans provide detailed information about children’s needs and how staff support them. The manager is proactive in driving plans forward in line with the home’s statement of purpose. An older child has successfully moved on to a foster family. Children stay in touch after they leave. Staff continue to show children that they are valued after they move out.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to prepare for adulthood. Children complete an independence programme. One child said that staff teach them ‘life facts’. An independent reviewing officer said that staff supported a child to take managed risks in the community. This promoted their wellness, self-esteem and confidence. Staff helped the child and their parent to repair their relationship. The child now enjoys a stronger support network in early adulthood. The independent reviewing officer attributes this to staff working respectfully with the family. Inspection report for children’s home: 2608892 4

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

Staff show dedication in building strong bonds with children. This helps to keep children safer. Staff help children to understand their mental well-being and learn coping strategies. Children seek out support from staff and share potential risks, which helps them to stay safe and manage their feelings in safer ways. School leaders commented on improvements in both children’s abilities to manage difficult feelings.

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

There have been no complaints or allegations against staff since the last inspection. Children know how to make complaints but say they have no need. Managers are visible in the home. Children express their views and wishes to them frequently.

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

Managers make their own enquiries when considering children who may move into the home. They review social care records and speak with other professionals. Assessments of risk are thorough. Managers make reasoned evaluations and work with social workers to manage risk. Children experience planned introductions to ease their move into the home. One child said they met all the staff and children before moving into the home.

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

The children who were living in the home at the last inspection have all moved out. When children’s interactions lead to increased unsafe behaviours, the manager works closely with other professionals and families to put safety plans in place. Children experience planned endings with high levels of support from staff. Several professionals commended the efforts made by managers and staff in these circumstances. They agreed these moves were the right decisions for each child, including for children who remained in the home. Although these were difficult endings, children made some progress while living in the home.

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

Since the last inspection, children have gone missing many times. Staff follow the clear protocols they have in place. Staff receive positive feedback from professionals about their determined efforts to find children. This shows children that staff care for them and want to keep them safe. One child said that they go missing less frequently since living in the home.

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

Managers and staff work effectively with other professionals to help keep children safer from exploitation. Staff share detailed knowledge and observations of children’s behaviour. They pass on relevant information quickly about possible associates. This informs risk management plans and actions to strengthen children’s safety.

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

Staff rarely hold children to help them stay safe. Managers provide staff with refresher sessions to maintain their skills to help children in this way. On one occasion, the manager was involved in holding a child. He carried out the debrief of other staff members involved. The manager himself did not receive a debrief from a senior manager after his involvement in an incident. This limits independent reflection and oversight of the manager’s own practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2608892 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has continued his leadership of the home since it opened. Many staff have also remained from the outset. The manager and assistant team manager work well together. Staff say they are well supported by them both. Staff feel listened to. Managers and staff identify that their main strength is the genuine care they have for the children. Staff morale is high, even after a challenging period of incidents. Children benefit from a cohesive, stable staff team that shows them high levels of care and commitment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership working is very positive. During the inspection, professionals commended managers and staff on good communication and the quality of care provided. Two professionals identified discrete adjustments to help children further. Common themes in the feedback from stakeholders are how well staff know children and their flexibility to respond. Children learn that they are valued and cared for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals attribute many elements of progress made by children to their care and experiences in the home. The manager is an assertive advocate for children. He uses detailed knowledge of children’s needs to challenge effectively in line with their interests and progress plans. An independent reviewing officer said the manager was at the forefront of multi-agency meetings and contributed massively to assessments.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is keen to develop staff. Staff receive regular reflective supervision that follows a set agenda. Managers and staff use team meetings to cover relevant topics to help children with specific vulnerabilities. They follow up on external feedback. Staff develop plans to manage their emotional well-being. Children experience carers who are available and responsive to their needs. Managers recognise staff’s strengths and achievements through initiatives such as ‘employer of the month’ and quality assurance checks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive relevant training to support children’s specific needs, for example those who are at risk of exploitation. Managers have taken steps to ensure that staff have attained the required qualification. This was outstanding for some members of staff at the last inspection. There have been setbacks due to the training company ceasing business. Staff lost work that they had completed. The responsible individual has secured an alternative training provider. Staff say managers support them to complete the qualification; deadlines are imminent. Inspection report for children’s home: 2608892 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

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—

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3) (a)(vii)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the registered person receives a debrief when they are involved in an incident.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, ensure that other staff involved in an incident involving restraint receive a reflective debrief from a member of staff who is not involved in the incident. 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: 2608892 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN1 1ED

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Inspector

Helen Gronhaug, Ofsted Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2608892 8 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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