Children's home run by Sure Steps Support Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2697380 1 Registered provider: Sure Steps Support Services 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

The home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for one child who experiences emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 5 February 2024.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2697380 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2697380 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has a positive relationship with staff. Staff are child-centred, put the child’s needs first and understand the child well. Consequently, the child has developed trust in the people who care for them. The child said: ‘I like the staff and feel safe with them.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to attend all health appointments. The manager ensures that the right support is in place to meet the child’s individual health needs. This support enables the child to achieve good health outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child attends school. There is effective communication between staff and the child’s education providers. This approach supports the child’s educational attainment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff ensure that the child receives care that supports the child’s cultural identity. This supports the child develop a positive sense of identity and understanding of their cultural background. Staff use creative ways to communicate with the child to gain their views based on their age and understanding.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the child to develop their independence skills. For example, they are helped to understand how to shop and pay for items themselves. This ensures the child develops the necessary skills required to progress to independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to spend time and remain in contact with their family. This encourages the child to stay connected with people who are important to them and supports their identity and sense of belonging.

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

Staff understand the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. They take time to talk to the child and educate them about risk. Staff support the child to find alternative strategies to de- escalate situations, reduce risk and improve their ability to keep themselves safe.

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

Staff keep the child’s risk assessments and behaviour management plans updated to reflect current risks and behaviours. These plans provide staff with clear guidance on the actions to take to keep the child safe. This helps to ensure that the child is safeguarded effectively.

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

A therapist visits the home weekly, working closely with staff to understand the needs of the child. The staff apply strategies learned from the therapist to respond to the child in a way which supports them to manage their feelings and behaviour.

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

Staff promote positive behaviours in the home by using positive incentives with achievable targets. They encourage the child to be involved in the reviewing and planning of incentives so that they are fully engaged with this approach. Inspection report for children’s home: 2697380 4 The child has a personalised bedroom and is settled and happy. Staff ensure that the home environment is clean, safe and welcoming. Health and safety checks are conducted regularly, and health and safety risk assessments are reviewed regularly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is enthusiastic about driving improvement of the home. The manager has a clear vision for the service and is supported by a committed deputy manager. They manage the home effectively and promptly address any shortfalls.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well trained. They develop their skills and knowledge through regular training and taking on responsibilities within the team. This development through training ensures that staff can meet the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff like working in the home and say that they feel supported by the management team. Staff benefit from regular reflective supervision and team meetings which consider the individual needs of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals provide positive feedback on the quality of communication and updates they receive about the ongoing care of the child. A therapeutic professional informed the inspector that communication is excellent, noting that ‘The staff want to debrief after appointments and talk thoughtfully about the child.’ Relationships with external agencies and professionals are strong and constructive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses effective monitoring and reviewing systems. Existing monitoring and reviewing systems help the manager evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the service. Annual appraisals are completed to schedule but lack feedback from professionals and children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2697380 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that appraisals consider, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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: 2697380 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sure Steps Support Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Evan House, Sutton Quays Business Park, Clifton Road, Sutton Weaver, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 3EH

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Inspector

Debbie Dawson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2697380 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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