Children's Home run by Ubuntu Group Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2735317 1 Registered provider: Ubuntu Group 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

The home offers care for up to three children who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager holds a level 5 leadership and management qualification in health and social care and was registered by Ofsted in May 2024, when the home was registered.

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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: 2735317 2 ho

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children have moved into the home since it was registered. The manager met with the children before they moved into the home. Children are given the opportunity to personalise their rooms and are provided with a welcome pack, including clothing and toiletries. This good preparation and planning have helped the children to settle and feel comfortable.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive warm, consistent and nurturing care from staff who acknowledge their strengths. Children spoke kindly about the staff and said they felt safe and well looked after. This creates an environment where children can talk to staff about their feelings or any worries they may have.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children to attend medical appointments. When there have been concerns about a child’s dental health, the manager has consulted with professionals. This has helped staff to understand how best to support the child, including role modelling to children how to brush their teeth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in activities of their choice. These activities provide opportunities for children to make friends. One child said they enjoyed going to a local boxing club, and another child said they enjoyed a youth club at their local church.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

With good staff support, children maintain positive relationships with their families and other significant people in their lives. One child’s family member said, ‘They help with contact and provide transport, which is a Godsend.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When there are concerns about children’s attendance at school, and children worry about school-related issues, the manager works alongside families and professionals to address these. One child has been supported to enrol in a college course following being out of education for a period of time. The child is pleased with this outcome and has clear aspirations for their future.

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

The manager and staff understand the importance of keeping children safe. They are confident in raising and escalating concerns about children’s welfare. Furthermore, they respond promptly and effectively, when needed, to keep children safe.

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

Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. They talk to children about these and take steps to educate children on how to keep safe. For example, staff have spoken to one child about the dangers of exploitation and arranged for a local police community support officer to come to the home to be part of these discussions. This good support enables children to learn about risks and encourages them to make safer choices. Inspection report for children’s home: 2735317 3 One child has made a complaint regarding phone safety checks and how these are conducted. This was taken seriously by the manager, and the child felt listened to. The manager and staff have reflected on their practice and made changes to improve the child’s experience, while still taking action when needed, to keep children safe.

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

Staff understand children’s backgrounds and early life experiences. This helps them to understand how to respond to children’s emotional needs. As a result, children have a sense of belonging and feel understood. This reduces any desire they may have to leave the home. There have been no missing-from-home incidents.

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

Staff support children to stay safe online. When checks have highlighted concerns, the manager and staff have taken appropriate action to escalate these. Staff have worked with the children to educate them around staying safe online. For example, all children have completed an online course in e-safety and received a certificate.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted by staff. Physical restraint has been used on one occasion, which was proportionate and used as a last resort to keep the child safe from harm. Staff offer children the opportunity to speak about any incidents and explore their views. This helps staff to implement strategies to reduce further incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children well and has high aspirations for them. He provides a supportive and learning environment for staff, which enables them to deliver good care. For example, he arranged for staff to attend a talk with a local community faith leader, so staff have a better understanding of one child’s cultural needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and feel supported in their role. They speak highly about the manager and feel part of the home’s development. One staff member said, ‘He has the ability to turn things into positive learning points; he keeps the home growing and developing all the time.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses effective monitoring systems. This means that he has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. This contributes to continued improvements in the quality of care children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children benefit from individualised care plans and risk management plans. Although these provide useful information, these are not always kept up to date. For example, one child’s care plan and risk assessment contained conflicting information. This makes it difficult for new staff to have a clear understanding of the child’s plans and risk management strategies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monthly team meetings take place with an independent psychologist, and these are well attended by staff. This provides staff with an opportunity to reflect on and Inspection report for children’s home: 2735317 4 discuss each child’s current needs and seek advice. This supports children’s progress and the staff’s ability to support them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2735317 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, they should ensure that children’s plans and risk assessments are kept up to date. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2735317 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ubuntu Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 4, Kingsland House, Stafford Park 1, Telford, Shropshire TF3 3BD

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Inspector

Kirsty Truesdale, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2735317 7 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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