Children's home run by Swan Children’s Homes

Inspection report children's home: 2591822 1 Registered provider: Swan Children's Homes Limited

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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 managed by a private organisation and provides care for up to four disabled children. Four children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023.

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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 children's home: 2591822 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/08/2023 Full Good 08/06/2022 Full Good 23/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2591822 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or out. The inspector spent time with all the children during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are cared for by a stable and established staff team. Staff care for the children with warmth and empathy. As a result, staff develop strong and trusting relationships with the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Childrens well-being is at the heart of staff’s practice. External professionals train staff to use research-informed therapeutic models of care to support children. Staff carry out detailed assessments that consider children’s backgrounds, experiences and disability before choosing which therapeutic model will be the best approach. The approached used are embedded in staff’s daily interactions with the children. For instance, one child is being supported through a bereavement by staff reading specific bedtime stories. Children spend time with therapy animals. One child is learning to care about themselves and others through this approach.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff meticulously plan new experiences for children irrespective of their disability. Staff organised a surprise holiday for all the children to a theme park abroad. This meant that children went on a boat for the very first time, experienced a wide range of rides and met their favourite characters. Children have been go-karting, horse riding and a enjoy a range of sensory activities in the local community. When one child struggled emotionally to attend a local football team, staff successfully identified another team, which meant the child has continued with their favourite hobby.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff meaningfully use a variety of communication methods with children. They are trained and skilled in the use of various communication methods and social stories. Communication aids are visible in the home. Staff wear lanyards with symbols on them that help children to communicate if they are not near a symbol. Staff help children to develop social and language skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children attend school. Education is a significant focus for staff. Strong partnership working between staff and education professionals means that children receive consistent care at school and in the home. Staff share their therapeutic approaches with teachers. Consequently, children are provided with therapeutic care that meets their needs. As a result, children engage well in school and are making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of children’s health needs. They work closely with other health professionals to support children’s physical and emotional well-being. Staff advocate for children to receive appropriate medical care. The registered manager made a formal complaint to the local GP service when children were not prioritised for appointments. As a result, staff have a direct number to call if they have concerns about Inspection report children's home: 2591822 4 the children. When one child became very unwell, staff acted without delay and supported the child to hospital. They stayed with the child and have consistently advocated for further treatment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff enable children to safely spend time with their family. Staff identify potential barriers and provide support to overcome these. They recognise when arrangements are not in the children’s best interests and advocate on their behalf to reduce any negative effects.

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

Safeguarding practice is a strength in the home. Staff know the children well. They have a thorough understanding of children’s vulnerabilities. A psychological model of care underpins staff practice and the system for monitoring concerns. As a result, one child’s vulnerability to self-harm has significantly reduced because staff understand the child’s behaviour.

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

Any allegations made against staff are acted on promptly. The registered manager notifies all relevant parties without delay and works closely with the local authority designated officer to ask advice and follow their lead. One child has recently made allegations against staff. In addition to the child’s concerns being taken seriously, the therapist is analysing these incidents to explore the functions of the behaviour and any trauma that may be disclosed.

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

Incidents of children being physically held are rare. The strong relationships between staff and children mean that staff can de-escalate incidents well. They use strategies that require minimal physical intervention. The manager has oversight of all incidents and opportunities are provided to staff and children to reflect on and learn from these.

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

Positive behaviour is encouraged through clear and consistent routines and boundaries. Staff use a restorative approach and they understand that behaviour is a form of communication. Staff actively support children to develop their understanding of socially acceptable behaviour. Planned work with children is thorough and meaningful. Strong communication between staff means that they always provide a consistent approach to children.

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

Children benefit from the experience and knowledge of a trained behaviour support lead. This staff member works closely with the psychologist, therapists and other staff to create detailed behaviour plans and assessments that keep children safe. All records and incidents are scrutinised, leading to tailored strategies that are consistently reviewed. This approach and dedication means that children receive exceptional care and behaviour support.

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

Staff are innovative and creative. One member of staff made their own video to show children how to ride bikes safely. The video was tailored to children’s humour and level of understanding. Staff encourage play and create an environment which children want to explore and have fun. Staff help children to learn and build confidence. Inspection report children's home: 2591822 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is dedicated, ambitious and highly aspirational for the children in her care. She leads by example and interacts positively with children and staff. She models good practice and ensures that there is a shared ethos of high-quality care. Staff speak highly of the manager and are proud to work in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has developed highly effective partnership working to ensure that children’s needs are met. External professionals are highly complimentary about the quality of care and communication. One external professional said, ‘The staff are lovely. They are all really committed and there is a low staff turnover. They are all child focused, and they all go above and beyond expectations.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Management oversight of children’s progress and practice in the home is exceptionally strong. The manager uses effective monitoring systems to ensure that the home operates smoothly. When issues are identified, they are quickly addressed and resolved. For instance, staff induction has been extended to allow staff more time to reflect and to learn about the children. The manager continually monitors and reviews children’s progress, alongside the home’s strengths and areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular and reflective practice-based supervisions. The manager is a strong advocate for training and ensures that all staff have access to high-quality training to further develop their practice and continually improve the quality of the care provided to children. Staff are either qualified or working towards the relevant childcare qualification in timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from regular team meetings. The meetings are strengthened by research- based input from therapists and a psychologist. These include effective discussions that reflect and focus on children’s behaviours, their past experiences and known risks. This helps to strengthen staff’s understanding and enables them to collaboratively explore how they respond to children’s needs consistently.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has met the one recommendation made at the last inspection. Inspection report children's home: 2591822 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 children's home: 2591822 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Swan Children's Homes Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 27a Green Lane, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2PX

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Inspector

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2591822 8 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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