Children's home run by Homes2Inspire Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1256404 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately run and provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of inspection, there were four children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

There are two registered managers. The registered manager who usually oversees the home was absent, and so the home was being run by the interim registered manager.

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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: 19 February 2024

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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: 1256404 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/02/2024 Full Good 07/12/2022 Full Good 26/10/2021 Full Good 11/02/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 1256404 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is clean and well maintained. Children’s bedrooms are cosy and decorated in line with their personal interests. The children enjoy spending time in the lounge, where they like to relax with staff. Staff like doing festive activities with the children. These activities are enjoyed by all.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have good relationships with staff. Children benefit from a consistent approach to care across the staff team. An independent reviewing officer positively commented that staff have persevered with one child through difficult times to ensure quality of care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of relationships outside the home for children. Staff encourage the children to maintain meaningful relationships with family and friends. Staff welcome children’s friends into the home. Staff make plans for children to enjoy sleepovers at their friends’ houses.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop new friendships. This has included speaking with friends’ parents to try and arrange meetups for children. The manager has attended a coffee morning at one child’s school to build relationships in the community. One child attends the local youth club and an activity club.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is prioritised by staff, and because of this, children aspire and want to achieve. The manager has worked with relevant professionals to ensure each child has an education plan in place. Staff are good advocates; for example, they have successfully challenged education professionals about a decision that affected a child’s attendance.

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

Staff are supporting one child who struggles with substance misuse. Staff take these concerns seriously and are attempting to meet this child’s needs. However, strategies used so far have not been successful in ensuring good outcomes. The manager is aware that these substance misuse risks are negatively impacting another child living there. Staff are closely monitoring the situation to try and manage this dynamic safely.

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

Ofsted was informed of a serious incident involving two children in July 2024. No children experienced harm, but the potential for harm could have been significant. Thorough internal investigations were undertaken, and relevant safeguarding agencies were informed. The manager identified staff practice concerns, and as a result, steps were taken to keep children safe. There has been considerable learning and reflection by the whole staff team following this incident. The manager has put preventative measures in place to avoid a repeat incident. The manager has fully involved staff in the learning. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256404 4 The manager takes allegations from children seriously. One allegation was made by a child against a member of staff during this inspection period. Appropriate safeguarding agencies were informed of this allegation. The child was supported throughout.

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

Staff are confident in using the missing-from-care protocol. Staff follow this when children go missing from the home. Staff have a good understanding of the risks associated with child sexual exploitation. When children return home, staff use professional curiosity to explore any concerns about children’s safety and well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced registered manager. The manager has positive relationships with the children in the home. She cares deeply about their experiences and prioritises their safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager appreciates the challenges that staff can face. She offers support that is empathetic and reflective. Staff feel well supported by the manager. This includes regular reflective supervision, team meetings and access to training. One member of staff was clear that the manager is approachable and accessible.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good communication between staff in this home. Staff feel the handover of information between shifts is something that works well. An email is sent to all staff at the point of handover. This offers staff who have been on leave the opportunity to catch up on what has been happening for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high aspirations for children and advocates well to meet their needs. When concerns are raised, the manager shows due diligence and responds accordingly. Children’s views are taken seriously by the manager. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256404 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff implement effective strategies that lead to good outcomes for children in respect of cannabis use. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 35, paragraph 7.18)

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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: 1256404 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lumonics House Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1TQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Craig Whitchurch

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Holly Stringfellow/Julie Mason

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Inspector

Becky Thompson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1256404 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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