Children's home run by Kids Inc Residential Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2728469 1 Registered provider: Kids Inc Residential Services 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 privately run and provides care for up to three children with social and/or emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2024.

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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: 5 December 2023

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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: 2728469 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/12/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2728469 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has lived at the home for a year and has made significant progress in many aspects of their life. Another child moved into the home more recently. The manager ensured that there was a clear introductory plan for the child, which included several visits. This helped to reduce the child’s anxieties and have a positive experience of moving in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are appropriately trained staff in place to meet the complex health needs of the children. Staff are caring and nurturing, and they are proud of the children’s progress and achievements. Staff spend time getting to know the children’s communication needs. Staff listen to the children and promote their welfare. As a result, children develop a sense of permanence and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children are attending school and were able to maintain their school placements when they moved into the home. However, for one child, this has meant that they now travel quite a distance to school. This long journey is having an effect on the child’s well- being. The manager is working with other professionals to find a more local school that can meet the child’s needs. Staff work closely with the education team to ensure that there is a good working relationship that helps to support the children’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to attend routine health appointments, and staff work with health specialist to help children manage their lifelong conditions. A therapist regularly sees the children, and offers support and advice to staff so that they have a good understanding of the children’s emotional needs. However, one child’s occupational therapy report is not up to date.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have regular time with their family. Staff regularly transport children for long distances so that they can safely spend time with people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are take part in activities both in the home and out in the community. They are given choices and their interests are considered. Both children enjoy swimming and attend swimming lessons each week. One child enjoys playing football and is developing friendships at a local football club. This is helping to promote children’s social skills, health and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff celebrate children’s achievements and there are certificates and photos displayed around the home. Memory books highlight the positive experiences that the children have had. Staff sensitively help children to start learning essential life skills. This is achieved by them being supported to carry out small daily tasks, such has taking care of their personal hygiene or helping to prepare meals. For one child, clear picture cards show them the step-by-step actions needed. This ensures that children are developing their independence. Inspection report for children’s home: 2728469 4

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

Keeping children safe is a priority for staff and integral to daily practice. Children receive a high level of supervision and support that is in line with their assessed needs. Staff have a good understanding of children’s individual needs and the support that they require to ensure their safety both in the home and when out in the community.

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

Children are protected from harm. There are robust safeguarding procedures in place that are known by staff. When concerns are identified, the manager ensures that these are escalated, to safeguard children.

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

Staff understand children’s risks and underlying needs. Risk assessments are detailed, informative and used to highlight each child’s vulnerabilities and the actions that staff need to take to protect them from harm. The manager ensures that these are reviewed regularly. As they get to know the children more, any emerging risk are identified quickly and support is put in place.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the children’s emotional and communication needs. This allows staff to quickly identify when a child is unhappy. Staff communicate with children so that their concerns are addressed. There have been two complaints since the last inspection, which have been managed effectively.

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

Staff have built positive relationships with children. Staff use appropriate de-escalation techniques to help children to manage their anxieties and frustration, and positive behaviour is encouraged. With this support and regular discussions, children are learning to regulate their emotions, and incidents are reducing.

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

Children benefit from a physically safe and comfortable environment. The manager ensures that she has appropriately adapted the environment to meet the children’s physical needs and keep them safe. The conservatory has been turned into a sensory room, which the children use regularly, and the garden area has been developed so it is a safe place for children to play. Children have been supported to personalise their bedrooms. However, the use of alarms on bedroom doors has not been assessed on an individual basis.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced, child centred and has high ambitions and expectations for the children’s development and progression. She has a clear vision for the home and is committed to ensuring that children are provided with the right support to help them to succeed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has systems in place to ensure that she has good oversight of the day-to- day running of the home. The manager has completed a review of the quality of care, but has not included feedback from children, parents or professionals. This limits the effectiveness of the review. Inspection report for children’s home: 2728469 5 There is now a full staff team in place who share the manager’s aspirations for children. Staff are enthusiastic and have a good understanding of the children’s needs and how best to support them. Staff are positive about their roles and the support they receive from their manager and the wider team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions take place in the appropriate timescales. This gives the staff an opportunity to reflect on their practice and gain further guidance and support to develop their knowledge and practice. Appraisals take place annually. However, the staff’s input into the meeting is not recorded and it is unclear whether they are supported to reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the skills, knowledge and ability of the staff team. All staff receive a comprehensive training and induction programme before caring for the children. This is complemented by an ongoing training and development programme that is aligned to the needs of the children living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monthly team meetings take place and follow a set agenda. Through these meetings, staff have an opportunity to discuss issues and share their experience and knowledge. The manager regularly identifies learning opportunities for the staff team and completes group discussions and workshops that help to develop the staff’s skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works proactively and positively with external agencies and professionals. These relationships are effective. As a result, children receive cohesive care. The manager has the confidence to address and escalate any concerns to ensure that the children’s needs are met. Inspection report for children’s home: 2728469 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

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that if bedroom door alarms are used, there is a clear identified risk, and the use is kept under review. 5 February 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality-of-care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children; and

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and 5 February 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2728469 7 any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that when completing a quality of care review, feedback from children, parents and professionals is taken into consideration and evidenced in the report.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are given an opportunity to have their performance appraised each year to address any practice issues, and the staff member is given an opportunity to reflect on their practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they have the up-to-date occupational therapist assessment to ensure that staff have the appropriate skills and knowledge to meet the children’s physical health needs arising from their disability. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 34, paragraph 7.12)

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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: 2728469 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kids Inc Residential Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 201i 5300 Lakeside, 225 5300 Lakeside, Cheadle SK8 3GP

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Inspector

Simon Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2728469 9 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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