Children's Home run by Coven Care Homes Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2732578 1 Registered provider: Coven Care Homes Ltd

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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 operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a permanent registered manager in post, who is suitably experienced and qualified. They are registered manager for two homes.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. The child was present and spoke with inspectors.

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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 outstanding

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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: 16 January 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: 2732578 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2732578 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide good quality care to the child who lives at this home. Since the last inspection two children have moved out of the home in a planned way, both with excellent outcomes. One child moved into the home in short time scale, but this was well planned for. They benefitted from having photos of the home prior to moving in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making good progress and their experience living at the home is a positive one. The child told an inspector that they get on well with all the staff. They will seek out staff company and enjoy spending time with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s individual needs are understood by staff. They help the child to pursue their interests and support their love of animals. The child’s pet rabbit lives in the home and staff help the child to provide good care to it. Staff talk with affection and pride about the child’s achievements, talents, and progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote the importance of education at the home. Managers have advocated well to secure a bespoke education plan in line with the child’s needs and interests. As a result, the child has progressed from having minimal education to engaging in a full timetable. They are now aspirational for their future education and career pathway. Staff demonstrate a genuine interest and provide practical support for the child’s education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are organised and proactive in helping the child to arrange and attend health appointments. Staff help the child to learn about having a healthy lifestyle. For example, educating about the risks of vaping and discouraging this, and this has been effective.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is a pleasant space for the child to live. The child has chosen their own décor for their bedroom. The home is nicely decorated for Christmas, and the child enjoyed helping staff with this activity.

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

Staff prioritise the safety and well being of the child at the home. Plans clearly set out their individual needs and risks. Managers work collaboratively with other professionals to produce meaningful and effective care plans. Plans are frequently reviewed and updated. Staff understand the risks and what action to take to keep the child safe in their care. As a result, the child’s risks have reduced measurably.

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

Staff provide the child with clear guidance and boundaries. As a result, they understand what is expected of them. There have been a low number of behavioural incidents. Managers and staff are effective in using de-escalation approaches. The staff are very nurturing in the care they provide. The child is helped to sustain and swiftly repair relationships with staff when necessary. Inspection report for children’s home: 2732578 4 Online safety is a known risk for the child. There is a structured plan in place for the child to work towards safely accessing a mobile phone and the internet. The child fully understands this plan, the expectations and time scales. Staff also help the child to learn about keeping themself safe, for example, being safe in the community.

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

Managers are mindful that staff must remain competent and effective in managing safeguarding concerns, particularly as staff have infrequent exposure to some procedures. Staff receive training in a wide range of safeguarding matters and managers regularly test and check staff knowledge. For example, through scenario-based questions in supervision and team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and the responsible individual both have diligent oversight and are fully involved in all aspects of the home’s operation. They are utterly dedicated to the success of the home and demonstrate devotion to children and their outcomes. Managers are creative in overcoming barriers. They are aspirational for what children can achieve and exhibit pride at their progress and achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers genuinely care about the wellbeing of the staff at the home. Staff supervision is taking place regularly for staff and managers. Managers are introducing a model of reflection into supervision to aid staff development; this is in its infancy. Managers are present at the home and readily available to support or advise staff in their roles. Staff say they are very well supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a core staff team at the home. There have been some changes but staffing levels have been sustained and no external staff have been needed. New staff benefit from a thorough introduction to their roles and the home. This includes an extended period of time working alongside experienced staff. This also helps the child build positive relationships with new staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive training that covers a breadth of topics. This equips them well for their roles. Training is enhanced by bespoke workshops that promote staff development. Managers are constantly improving the training offer at the home in innovative ways. An example of this is the production of short video clips that provide staff with ‘how to’ guides.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and responsible individual are inspirational role models for the staff team. They spend time with the child and model a nurturing approach. Managers listen to the child and value their views, for example, seeking feedback from them as part of staff appraisals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The company has development plans and intends to expand. However, the key priority is upon sustaining the high quality of care provided to children at the current homes. No requirements or recommendations have been made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2732578 5

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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: 2732578 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Coven Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 9 Cairns Drive, Stafford ST16 3PW

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Inspectors

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Becky Rutter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2732578 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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