Children's Home run by Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2736466 1 Registered provider: Staffordshire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is managed by a local authority. It provides care for up to three children who may experience emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a registered manager in post, who is suitably qualified and experienced.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children lived at the home. Three children were present and spoke with the inspector.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none. Inspection report for children’s home: 2736466 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2736466 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, the same three children have remained living in the home. All three children continue to make progress from their starting points. Children understand the progress they are making through their ‘progress profiles’. Staff regularly complete these with the children to capture where they feel their starting points were, where they are now and where they would like to be.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All three children continue to access education. Two children have started to complete their applications to attend further education, and they have clear positive goals for their future careers. One education provider commented, ‘The child has made significant progress with their attendance to school and engagement. Communication is strong, and at times, we have relied on that quick communication and support, and it has always been there.’ This indicates how effectively the home works with professionals from children’s educational settings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop their own identities. For example, one child has a keen interest in music and has been provided with a piano and guitar in his bedroom. Another child enjoys boxing and has access to a punching bag and exercise equipment in the communal garden area.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is well furnished and homely. This provides a relaxed environment for children to live in. Children’s bedrooms are personalised, reflecting their individual interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children share their views, these are recorded clearly in children’s records. There has been one recorded complaint from a child during this inspection period. This was managed effectively, and immediate action was taken by the manager. Children understand how they can raise concerns. Regular discussions take place between children and staff to ensure that children understand the range of ways they can share their views.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with their families. Staff actively encourage children to build on their external support networks, and they understand the significance of these relationships for children. Feedback received from family has evidenced the commitment from staff to nurture these relationships and acknowledge the positive role that family and friendships have in each child’s life.

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

Staff are confident in raising children’s understanding of risk, and they understand the specific vulnerabilities for each child. Staff work closely with the professionals and family members who form each child’s support network to increase children’s resilience and protective factors in their lives. Inspection report for children’s home: 2736466 4 Missing from home is managed very well. Children have individual risk assessments that provide staff with clear guidance and reflect each child’s current needs. These assessments are regularly reviewed in line with children’s changing needs. For one child who was regularly missing from the home, there has been a significant reduction in how often they go missing. The missing-from-home risk assessment has been reviewed to highlight this reduction in risk. This practice reflects staff’s understanding of regularly reviewing key plans for children so that they represent their current needs.

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

Managers implement behaviour support plans for children. Plans provide staff with guidance on de-escalation techniques that are individualised to reflect each child’s specific needs. Children’s views are incorporated into the support plans, so they include the best ways to support them when they may be experiencing forms of emotional upset. As a result of the joined-up work with children, there have been no incidents of restraint since the last inspection.

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

There have been some gaps identified in the recordings for children when behavioural incidents have occurred. Staff do not consistently document their evaluation of the resulting impact on children, how they will be supported by staff and what steps should be taken to ensure information is shared with key agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a confident advocate for the children in her care. She challenges agencies effectively if children are not receiving adequate provision. The manager is open to reflection and learns from incidents. This helps to ensure that staff are equipped with the necessary training and support they need to support children to reach their full potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager prioritises staff’s capacity to provide the least restrictive practice for children. New staff receive appropriate training that supports them to understand the impact of each child’s journey. Staff are familiar with every child’s individual risk assessment and ensure that children are treated with respect and dignity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager maintains excellent working relationships with professionals in the children’s wider networks. This approach has ensured that professionals are consistent in the care they are providing to children. Children’s safety plans are updated to reflect any new or emerging risks without delay.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff share very high aspirations for the children to progress, and they facilitate children to make progress in line with their individual needs. The manager understands the importance of preparing children for key milestones in their life and begins this work as the earliest possible opportunity. Inspection report for children’s home: 2736466 5 Staff say that they feel supported by the manager and that they receive regular and good-quality supervision. This provides staff with protected time to reflect on their practice and identify areas for improvement. Inspection report for children’s home: 2736466 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 must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which –

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff completing ‘actions arising from discussion with children’ in case records. 24 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 for children’s home: 2736466 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Staffordshire Place, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 2DH

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Inspector

Charlotte Tippett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2736466 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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