Children's Home run by North Star Children’s Homes Ltd in Surrey

Inspection report for children's home: 2788618 1 Registered provider: North Star Children’s Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home was registered in September 2024. The home cares for up to five children between the ages of eight and 17 years who may have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there was one child living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since July 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: 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: 2788618 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from the deeply caring, focused support of an experienced staff team. Staff have expertly supported the child through the challenging transition to residential care. This has given the child a positive start and allowed them to settle quickly. The child has already made good progress in their confidence in the community and independence skills. This is notable given the short time they have lived at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child and staff share warm, trusting relationships full of good humour and affection. Staff have gone the extra mile to ensure that every aspect of the child’s individual needs, preferences and wishes have been at the centre of all decision-making. The child has been involved in key decisions about the home and their voice is valued and respected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The Child’s parent and external professionals have been extremely impressed by the positive start to the child’s time at the home. They appreciate the detailed sharing of information and updates from the home. They commented on the quality of pre- placement planning and the effective induction which helped the child make the best possible start to their time at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The whole team understands the child’s complex health needs well. Comprehensive information is stored in a clear health plan. Staff are also well trained in the safe administration of medication, which is a vital component of the child’s care plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has a clear understanding of the aims of the stay and has open and frank conversations with staff about their pathway and transition plans at the end of their time at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the child’s time with family and friends is a priority. Staff recognise that this is important for the child at this stage in their life so that they remain connected with their circle of support outside of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have longer-term goals for the child in relation to their education, but all those involved with the child are in full agreement that the current key areas for the child are functional skills and independence work. Staff are using highly effective key-working relationships to support the child to set their own targets. The child is enjoying being so fully involved in the decisions that are made about their life.

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

Staff have a well-developed understanding of the key role they play in safeguarding the child in their care. Managers use their experience and knowledge of safeguarding matters to role model effective practice to staff. Staff are confident in their knowledge and understanding of both internal safeguarding practice and how their work intersects with the wider safeguarding partnerships around the child. Inspection report for children's home: 2788618 3 Record-keeping is clear and well structured. The child has detailed risk management plans. Staff fully recognise the impact of the child’s health concerns on their vulnerability in the community.

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

Staff supervise the child effectively to ensure they are safeguarded at all times. However, this is done respectfully and sympathetically. Staff aim to allow the child as much day-to- day autonomy as possible while always being mindful of any obstacles or limitations that their health issues may bring.

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

Managers’ careful planning before the child arrived, and subsequent high-quality risk management work from the whole team, have meant that the child has settled well and there have been no incidents or concerns in the first weeks of the child’s time at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Confident and knowledgeable managers have been successful at taking a new team and new home and creating a warm, welcoming and safe space for children to live.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers display great enthusiasm for their role and have high ambitions for the home. Managers used the time before a child moved in to ensure that systems were set up well, staff had clear expectations around their roles and responsibilities and the home was ready to provide good care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have developed effective training and supervision for staff that has enabled the team to develop their confidence and skills quickly. Managers have made effective use of senior staff, who have provided experience and positive role modelling for those staff new to residential work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers display a deep and extensive understanding of the impact that children’s disabilities have on their confidence and personal development. They have supported staff, in partnership with the child, to create positive and ambitious goals and targets which are well designed. This has helped the child to restore and rebuild their confidence and self-belief after a long and challenging battle with their physical health.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have a bold vision for how they want to develop the home. They use planning, monitoring and effective oversight to identify key strengths and weaknesses and work in partnership with the child and the team to identify improvements to the home that will benefit everyone, including those children yet to live there.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have developed positive relationships with key partners in health, social care and education to ensure that there are shared goals and aims for the child and everyone is working together to support the child effectively. No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: 2788618 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: 2788618 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: North Star Children’s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Oliver Clive & Co Ltd, 14 David Mews, London W1U 6EQ

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Inspector

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2788618 6 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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