Children's home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2593071 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private provider and registered to provide care for up to three children who may have social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home during this inspection, and they were spoken to.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2593071 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/03/2024 Full Good 21/03/2023 Full Good 22/09/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2593071 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out and one child has moved into the home. The child’s move in was very well planned with the manager meeting with the child and various professionals to gain a good understanding of the child’s needs. The child was provided with a video guide to the home, which included a personal welcome message and an introduction from each of the staff. They also received a welcome box and card from the team. This thoughtful introduction and welcome have supported them to settle into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child is making excellent progress in all areas of their life. They are provided with warm and nurturing care from dedicated staff. The child and staff have developed positive and trusting relationships. Staff ensure that the child receives consistent routines and behavioural boundaries. This has helped to provide them with stability and has led to the child feeling safe, settled and happy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child has achieved very good attendance in education and is being supported by the staff and other professionals to fulfil their potential. The manager works closely with the college the child is attending and has arranged additional training for college staff to help them understand and be able to support the child’s needs. The child is actively involved in activities in the home and community and is being supported to develop their independence and social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Family time is promoted and supported and has improved because the staff team works closely with the family to foster these relationships. The child regularly spends time with people who are important to them. This has led to increased time with the family and plans for an overnight stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child’s health needs are well met, and they are registered with a range of health professionals, including the dentist, and have regular appointments and check-ups. Their emotional health needs are being supported by a multi-disciplinary team, and incidents of self-injurious behaviour have reduced in their frequency and severity. Staff have received additional support and training from the local child and adolescent mental health services, who have met with the team over several weeks. The organisation’s clinical team offers further support and guidance. This has provided staff with additional knowledge, skills and understanding in how to support and manage the child’s complex needs. This understanding is supported with the use of theoretical concepts and research.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child is consulted with regularly about every aspect of their care. Care plans, risk assessments and other documents have been adapted and shared with the child to ensure they have a clear understanding of them. The team takes a lot of care in ensuring the child understands the expectations in the home and that the child’s views, wishes, and feelings are taken into consideration. Inspection report for children’s home: 2593071 4

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

Incidents have significantly reduced, and there have been no incidents that required the use of a physical intervention or restraint. The staff have been creative in providing alternative ways of communicating and helping the child to communicate in ways that meet their needs This means that the child is now more able to express when they may need some additional support to manage their emotions.

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

Allegations and complaints are rare, and when they have occurred, the manager has worked with external professionals and agencies. Children have been kept informed of the progress of concerns and have been given opportunities to express their views about the outcomes. This means that children feel listened to and have trust in the manager and the team that their views are important and will be responded to.

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

Risk assessments and safety plans are completed to the highest standards. They are regularly reviewed and updated and shared with all the relevant agencies, including the college. Health professionals provide oversight of the safety plans, and the manager works collaboratively with them to advise of any changes or concerns. This means that the child is provided with safe and consistent care, and staff are provided with clear guidance on how to manage and mitigate any risks.

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

There have been no recent missing-from-care incidents. There are clear policies and procedures in place that provide guidance to the staff team on how these should be managed.

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

Children are provided with a safe and homely environment. Children have been helped to contribute to the development of their own risk assessments and evacuation plans to help with their understanding of health and safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is committed and dedicated. They provide strong leadership and are entirely child-centred in their approach. The staff value and respect the manager and, as a result, have been open to change and development. They have been adaptable in their approach and working practices, which means children continue to be provided with high standards of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high expectations and aspirations for the children and staff and has been integral in implementing change and development. There has been a strong focus on improving and developing staff skills and providing them with training and resources to improve and develop their practice. This means that the preferred model of care, which is underpinned by theory, is well-embedded into all aspects of care practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has implemented effective systems to provide quality assurance and oversight of every aspect of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2593071 5 The manager has worked closely with external mental health teams who have provided the staff with training and development. This was part of a pilot project, and due to its success in the home, it is likely to be implemented in other homes. The clinical team visits the home regularly and provides additional support, guidance and reflection to the staff. Staff have been open and receptive to this learning and development and talked about the positive impact this has had on them and for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive very good support through regular and reflective individual supervision sessions with a manager. This provides them with opportunities to discuss and reflect on their care practices and on their own personal and professional development. Staff have targets and goals set to help them to progress and are being empowered to take on additional responsibilities. The staff team is very settled and stable, and this provides consistency in the approach to children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works positively with multi-agency teams, who provided positive feedback on the impact the manager has had on a child’s progress and the excellent communication there is with the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2593071 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: 2593071 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2593071 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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