Children's home run by Enabling Futures Ltd

Inspection report children's home: SC426751 1 SC426751 Registered provider: Enabling Futures 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

This home is operated by a private organisation and provides care for up to six children who may have learning or physical disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The home’s manager is experienced and registered with Ofsted in 2017.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children's home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: SC426751 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/03/2024 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Outstanding 02/03/2022 Full Outstanding 18/02/2020 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC426751 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy exceptional experiences. The staff team is inspirational. They are dedicated and knowledgeable childcare practitioners. The staff nurture children. They are positive adult role models, who encourage children to develop a wide range of life skills. As a result of this nurturing approach, children thrive and enjoy positive outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have extensive knowledge of children’s individual communication needs and always have various tools to support effective communication. Staff have started to use Makaton with the aim of using this in addition to other forms of communication. Therefore, children have several ways to communicate their needs which will promote their voice being heard.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s health needs are met. All children are registered with the appropriate health care services. The children eat a balanced diet and can choose which foods they want to eat, using pictorial boards which they can point to and make choices. Other children are becoming more independent with their personal care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported by staff who are aspirational for them. Staff are constantly seeking ways to assist children to develop their independence. Detailed social stories are one method used to explain to a child, what actions are needed to complete a task. This enables children to develop key skills and further autonomy over choices that effect their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One of the children is not in formal education. In preparation for a return to a school, the staff actively engage the child in learning through activities in the community and at home. The manager is working closely with relevant agencies in ensuring children return to a school as soon as they are able.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is warm and welcoming. Staff have worked hard alongside children to make the home a nurturing and homely environment. There is lots of evidence of toys and activities for children to play with. For instance, in the lounge there is a small climbing wall. Staff clearly take pride in the home for children and help children to maintain a lovely environment for them to live in. Managers are continuing to improve the home and are planning to develop a sensory bathroom.

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

Safeguarding children, both within and outside of the home, requires meticulous planning. This planning reduces risk and keeps children safe. Risk assessments are continually reviewed to accurately reflect levels of risk. This means that, when possible, children can experience new challenges and develop new skills while remaining safe. Inspection report children's home: SC426751 4 The manager ensures that relevant safeguarding agencies are notified when it is appropriate to do so. Notifications to other agencies reflect effective safeguarding practice. There is a detailed record of action that staff have taken. The manager ensures that this is evidenced and keeps the child at the centre of safeguarding practices in the home.

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

Children’s needs are such that they require close supervision. Therefore, they do not go missing or become involved in any form of exploitation. However, on one occasion a breakdown in communication between staff has meant that a child left the home, and into the carpark, without staff being aware.

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

Staff are appropriately trained in physical intervention, and the home has a designated behaviour support instructor. Staff have used their positive relationships with children alongside holistic interventions to reduce the need for physical interventions. Staff know to use all other positive behaviour support techniques and that physical intervention is the absolute last resort for keeping children safe.

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

The children have incidents in the home. When these occur, staff are usually responsive and ensure that children are safe. The behaviour support instructor oversees all incidents, analyse reasons, and adapt strategies and acknowledges any learning opportunities for staff. They have a robust system for tracking all incidents. However on one occasion staff delayed reporting an incident to a manager.

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

Children have individualised risk assessments. These assessments are completed in detail and capture the specific needs and vulnerabilities of each child. The assessments also set out the therapeutic approach that children could benefit from. These are continually reviewed and updated by managers. Staff are proactive in reading any updates, so they are always equipped with the best knowledge regarding each child.

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

There is a clear medication process in place. Senior staff receive detailed training and are observed administering medication before they can take the lead in this process. Where there are medication errors identified, there has been action taken by the management team to improve staff competence.

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

The manager has reviewed the safer recruitment processes. Some changes have been made and the process is now stronger. This helps to ensure that only those adults who have been assessed as safe to work with children are employed in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have a detailed understanding of the holistic needs of the children. They have a commitment to make sure that each child reaches their individual potential. Leaders and managers provide clear evidence of the progress and plans for each child. Inspection report children's home: SC426751 5 The residential team is well established and highly effective. The registered manager provides steadfast leadership of the team. The team is aspirational for all children. The team has an excellent morale and a sense of shared ownership. This ensures a continued and dynamic positive feeling across the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Meticulous quality assurance processes ensures that managers have a detailed oversight of the operation of the home. This means that managers have a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. Firm plans are in place to drive continual improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and team continually review processes within the home. They want to ensure that all tasks are undertaken in the most effective and efficient manner. The children’s files are organised to allow staff easy access to all the information about the children. Consequently, staff can access important information about children quickly to provide the care that children need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is keen to continually promote staff development. Staff begin their training as part of an improved induction programme. They then continue to enhance their skills and knowledge with additional and child specific training when required. Children therefore receive individualised care and support to meet their complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff receive regular professional supervision. This is enhanced through group training opportunities that equip staff to meet the needs of the children. Staff are qualified or working towards the required qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There has been an excellent response to the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. These are no longer shortfalls in practice. Inspection report children's home: SC426751 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, 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

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff not reporting their concerns to a manager straight away. This also relates to the staff team not having an effective method of communication to safely monitor children. 10 January 2025

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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 children's home: SC426751 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Enabling Futures Ltd

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Inspector

Simon Hunter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC426751 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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