Children's home run by Strive to Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2598004 1 Registered provider: Strive to Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for three children who experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in October 2020, and the manager registered in April 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home and were seen by the inspector.

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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 outstanding

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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

Date of last inspection: 12 September 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2598004 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2023 Full Outstanding 22/11/2022 Full Outstanding 07/12/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2598004 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children benefit from living in a caring and nurturing home. They make excellent progress due to the consistently high standards of care provided by a highly skilled and committed team. The children say that living in the home has made a difference to their lives. One child said, ‘We are a family.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are making significant progress in education from their starting points. Managers and staff work closely with education professionals to identify and overcome any barriers to learning. The children who had previously not attended school before moving into the home now attend full-time and are proud of the targets they are achieving. This means children’s education predictions have considerably improved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are in good health. Staff support them to attend health appointments. All appointments are up to date. One child is being supported to improve their oral hygiene, with positive results. This support enables the children to achieve good health outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The use of research has helped managers and staff to develop their relationships with the children. Their relationships are extremely positive and caring. Staff spend quality time with the children, planning and undertaking activities together. Staff regularly celebrate the children’s achievements with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The managers and staff encourage the children to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff members travel significant distances to support the children to spend meaningful time with their family in the family home. One child does not have family in this country, so the team has supported them to develop family time with close friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is a welcoming and nurturing environment. The children have personalised their bedrooms and are settled and happy at the home. There are pictures of the children throughout the home, contributing to it feeling like a family home.

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

The children say that they are happy and safe in the home and enjoy spending time with the manager and staff. They are protected by a highly trained, knowledgeable and competent staff team. The police community support officer said, ‘We spoke to the children and found it inspiring how they talk about living there.’

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

Relationships between staff and the children are positive and are built on trust and affection. They provide a solid base for the children to thrive. Due to the nature of the relationships, staff are able to support the children to manage their emotions and feelings effectively, including those that may result in conflict. Inspection report for children’s home: 2598004 4 The children have individual risk assessments that are consistently reviewed and updated by managers and staff. Staff have a comprehensive knowledge of the children’s risks and vulnerabilities and take time to talk to the children and educate them about risk. ‘Research into practice’ sessions are embedded into everyday practice at the home. Discussion groups support the learning and development of the children and staff. As a result, the children’s risks around exploitation, substance misuse and going missing from care have reduced.

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

Care plans for the children clearly set out what is needed to help them make progress. The plans consider the barriers that might hinder the children’s progress, and they identify ways to overcome them. This enhances the life chances of the children. The children are involved in reviewing and updating their plans. They also undertake focused work with staff to help them to meet the aims and objectives set out in their plans.

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

Positive recognition and praise outweigh negative consequences. The manager evaluates consequences, ensuring that they are proportionate and restorative. Staff also implement clear boundaries, routine and structure to create a space for the children to feel emotionally safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by a dedicated, caring and ambitious manager who advocates for the children. The manager ensures that he is visible and accessible to the staff and children. The children are extremely fond of him, and he speaks about the children with pride, warmth and enthusiasm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The children receive outstanding care, support and guidance from a highly committed, competent and nurturing staff team. The stable and settled staff team promotes consistency and strong attachments for the children. One youth justice worker said, ‘If we needed an example of a perfect home for the children, this would be it.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is good multi-agency working. The manager and staff maintain excellent levels of communication with other professionals. One social worker said, ‘When it comes to communication, these guys are on it.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive ongoing support, supervision and guidance from leaders and managers. Staff team meetings are regular and effective. They focus on the children’s well-being and progress. These meetings encourage staff to reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The management team, staff and the children can clearly demonstrate the positive impact that living in the home has had on enhancing the children’s lives. A social worker said, ‘They are proactive about wanting positive things to happen for the child.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers and staff complete a range of training that focuses on meeting the children’s individual needs. Staff apply their learning effectively in their day-to-day work with the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2598004 5 The manager speaks passionately about his role and the care provided to the children. He reflects on his own and staff practice to enable him to make improvements. The staff team feels exceptionally well supported personally and professionally. Staff speak positively about the strong ethos and values of the manager and staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2598004 6

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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: 2598004 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Strive to Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 8, Cunningham Court, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 2QX

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Inspector

Debbie Dawson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2598004 8 regulates 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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