Children's Home run by Suffolk County Council in Suffolk

Inspection report for children’s home: 2796485 1 Registered provider: Suffolk County Council Full inspection Inspected under the Social Care Common Inspection Framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties. Five children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 18 June 2024 at the same time that the home was registered.

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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: 2796485 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home opened, six children have moved in and one child has moved on. Four of the children had previously lived together, supported by the same staff team, at a different home. All five children were present throughout the inspection and shared their views with the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff plan well for children moving into and out of the home, including carefully considering the needs of all the children. One child had a positive move on to supported accommodation. They wrote to the staff and thanked them for helping and taking care of them, referring to staff creating a family experience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff build trusting relationships with children and get to know them well. The children said that they could go to staff for help when they need to. One child said, ‘They care about all of us,’ and that staff ‘encourage and believe in children’. A parent said that their child was supported and loved by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are involved in their day-to-day care; examples include children sharing ideas for rules. One child has helped to write the children’s guide. Children have daily routines and enjoy a nutritious diet. Children enjoy their internet access to games after school and benefit from a daily internet break that encourages mealtimes together.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children have either mainstream or alternative education provision. Staff have supported one child, who had been out of education for almost a year, to attend an education provision full time. For a child who is not in education, there is a plan to work towards attending education. The virtual school staff said that the priority for education is very high for staff and that staff are creative in ways to engage children in education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to try activities like fishing, bike rides and going to the gym. Staff took one child on holiday, which was the child’s first plane journey.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the children’s family relationships and work with families to ensure that children can maintain their important relationships. An independent reviewing officer for two children said that staff are very proactive in encouraging family visits and supporting children with this.

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

When safeguarding incidents occur, staff respond appropriately. These are infrequent due to the positive relationships that staff have with children.

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

Staff only use restraint when necessary to keep everyone safe. Management oversight of the incidents makes sure that children’s and staff’s views are gathered afterwards. Inspection report for children’s home: 2796485 3 Staff have knowledge of online safety and monitor the children’s use of internet devices. Staff respond well to safety concerns, including escalating them to the relevant professionals and having transparent and supportive conversations with children.

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

Staff respond effectively to safeguarding concerns. They refer disclosures to the local authority and carefully consider children’s experiences as well as chase for follow-up information when relevant.

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

Most children’s plans are individualised and describe their challenges and the strategies to help them. However, although staff have had meaningful conversations with one child about self-harm and ways of coping, guidance for staff on reducing the risks is not included in the child’s plan. It is not always clear in plans whether information is current or historic.

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

Staff create an environment that is homely. Children’s rooms are personalised. However, staff lock the games room during school hours. There is no evidence that the rationale is recorded or that the arrangement is reviewed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager was present for the inspection. She holds a relevant level 5 qualification and is considerably experienced.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has clear processes for considering children who may move into the home. This involves speaking to relevant professionals and a comprehensive assessment of the impact on the children already living at the home. This ensures that all children’s needs are considered and helps their sense of stability and well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have created an environment that is welcoming and warm and where children are spoken about with care and compassion. Children’s feedback shows that they feel a sense of belonging and feel cared for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good working relationships with the wider network of professionals. There has been positive feedback from other professionals, including staff from the virtual school.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are examples of child-centred recording. These records are written in a respectful, thoughtful way and capture the meaningful conversations with children. However, the quality of recording is variable, as it is not always clear. There is some use of institutional and ambiguous language, which may feel stigmatising to children should they wish to read their records.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is well staffed and morale is high. Staff say that they are very well supported by their manager. Staff identify bringing a variety of experience to the roles as a strength and say that reflection and challenge is welcomed and encouraged. Inspection report for children’s home: 2796485 4 Not all staff have achieved a level 3 qualification within the expected time frames. There are contextual reasons for this. However, this needs to be prioritised to ensure that all staff have the right qualifications. Inspection report for children’s home: 2796485 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff, including external agency or bank staff, have the qualification listed in Regulation 32 (4) within the relevant timescale listed in Regulation 32 (5). In particular, ensure that staff achieve the qualification without further delay. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.12)  The registered person should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. In particular, ensure that there is individualised guidance for staff to follow when children are at risk of self-harm. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that, just as in a family home, children can access all shared areas of their home unless there are specific reasons why this would

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Recommendations

not meet a child’s needs. In particular, record and regularly review the rationale for restricting access to the games room during school hours. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10)  The registered person should ensure that information about the child is always recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. In particular, ensure that records are consistently clear and avoid institutional language. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2796485 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Suffolk County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich IP1 2BX

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Inspector

Carrie Twinn, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2796485 7 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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