Children's home run by Heathfield (Parkgate) Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2667771 1 Registered provider: Heathfield (Parkgate) Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection, there were three children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 31 March 2022.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following the full inspection on 3 and 4 July 2024, two compliance notices were issued; one in respect of regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and one in respect of regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. A notice restricting the accommodation of further children was also issued. A monitoring visit was completed on 16 August 2024. The compliance notice under regulation 12, the protection of children standard, was restated. Inspection report for children’s home: 2667771 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/07/2024 Full Inadequate 24/08/2023 Full Good 08/11/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2667771 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported by staff who are committed to building positive relationships with them. Children speak fondly about staff. During the inspection, children were observed to be happy and relaxed in the company of staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is prioritised, and children benefit from predictable structures and routines. Children are achieving well in education. Staff attend all meetings about children’s education, so there is a shared understanding about children’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are monitored closely, and their health outcomes improve. Staff support children to attend all necessary health appointments. Children’s care and support plans provide information for staff about how to meet children’s health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff engage children in well-planned key-work sessions that focus on known and emerging needs. A range of topics are discussed, such as understanding how to stay safe and how to improve self-care skills. Recording is thorough and child friendly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive sensitive support to help them to be part of care planning decisions. Children are included in meetings related to their care. They have plentiful opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings, including with an independent advocate. This means that children’s needs are being met in line with their preferences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children leave the home, the planning for their move is thorough and thoughtful. On the occasions when the registered manager believes that decisions made by external professionals are not in children’s best interests, she advocates strongly on their behalf.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities both at home and in their local community. Staff sensitively support children to try new hobbies and challenges. One child has recently joined a sign language choir. This has had a positive impact on their self-esteem and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a sound understanding of the importance of supporting children to understand their own identity. They maximise opportunities for children to spend time with their families and other people who are important to them.

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

There is a proactive safeguarding culture in the home. All staff have completed training to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge they need to protect children from harm. New staff have a thorough induction. As a result, they are clear about their safeguarding responsibilities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2667771 4 Staff receive training about the use of physical restraint to ensure that it is only used when necessary and proportionate to the situation. On the occasions when physical restraint is used, there is timely and effective oversight by the leadership team. Debriefs with staff and children and effective reparation sessions enable relationships to be quickly repaired.

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

The leadership team ensures that children’s risk assessments are kept updated and are understood by each member of staff. Staff have taken steps to improve their knowledge of the impact of childhood trauma. As a result, they have a deeper understanding of how to respond when children are struggling with difficult emotions.

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

Managers are committed to reducing the risk of incidents reoccurring. They have completed critical analysis of all serious incidents. They have ensured that learning is shared and changes to practice are embedded. Consequently, staff feel more equipped to recognise when they are experiencing fatigue and need additional support. Additionally, senior managers have acknowledged the importance of good matching to reduce the risk of new children having a negative impact on the existing group of children.

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

An informative children’s guide is accessible to all children, including those with additional communication needs. This means that all children know how to complain and have access to information to help them understand about the home they live in.

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

There is a strong commitment from staff to ensure that children have access to advocacy services and independent visitors. As a result, children have trusted adults outside of the home who they can raise any issues or concerns with. This contributes to children’s safety and sense of security.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The senior leadership team has been sharply focused on improving management monitoring and oversight of the home. Developments to the quality assurance system have led to the registered manager having an improved understanding of the quality of care being provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a sound understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. When shortfalls in staff practice are identified, these are addressed swiftly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All staff have received good-quality supervision since the last monitoring visit. Proactive and experienced senior staff support new staff through a comprehensive induction. This means that they feel confident and well informed when commencing their initial shifts caring for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recent, successful recruitment strategies mean that there are no staff vacancies. Being looked after by a stable group of staff ensures that children benefit from a consistent approach. An increase in the number of administrative staff has ensured that the staff team can fulfil all their roles and responsibilities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2667771 5 The registered manager’s quality of care review and workforce development plan demonstrate an understanding of the actions that need to be taken to ensure sustained improvement. Regular visits by the independent person offer an additional layer of scrutiny.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The requirements and compliance notice issued at the last inspection have been met. Inspection report for children’s home: 2667771 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. The statement of purpose is an important document in the process of care planning as it sets out the needs of children who the home is set up and equipped to care for. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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: 2667771 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Heathfield (Parkgate) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5 Deansway, Worcester, Worcestershire WR1 2JG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jacqueline Smeeth

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Inspector

Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2667771 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 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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