Children's Home run by Brooks & Brooks Recruitment Ltd in Rochdale

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 1 Registered provider: Brooks and Brooks Recruitment Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in April 2023 and the manager registered in April 2024.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home at the time of this inspection and was spoken to.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, once child has moved on from the home and another has moved in. The manager ensured that careful, thoughtful planning took place and a clear plan was implemented to ensure that the child was sensitively welcomed into the home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff listen to the child’s views, wishes and feelings. When complaints are made, they are treated seriously and are responded to clearly. The manager takes effective action to investigate all complaints and supports the child to understand how their complaint was dealt with.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff spend time with the child and they know them well. They provide the child with care and help that is sensitive to their needs and they treat them with dignity and respect. As a result of this, the child has begun to form attachments and can confidently express their identity. The child’s social worker said, ‘I can’t speak highly enough of them, they have supported [Name of child] to be an individual’.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff place the wellbeing of the child at the centre of their practice. Specialist help is available, and the child is visited regularly by the homes linked psychotherapist, who also guides and supports the staff team. The manager and staff know and understand the child’s risks. The manager is proactive in her approach and does all she can to ensure that the staff have the skills and confidence to manage risks. Risk plans are individual to the child, however not all identified risks contain clear and directive strategies.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Holding a child to keep them safe is used as a last resort in conjunction with the home’s policies and procedures. Following the use of physical intervention, the manager ensures that the child is spoken to and that all records are reviewed.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

When significant incidents occur, the records are detailed. The records outline the steps staff take to support de-escalation and to help keep the child safe. The manager is reflective in her approach, all records are reviewed with sufficient scrutiny and she takes effective action to address any identified shortfalls.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff working in the home are clear about procedures for responding to concerns about the safety of a child. The staff and manager have completed relevant training to support their knowledge and understanding.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager is dedicated, committed, and leads by example. She speaks positively about the child and has high ambitions and expectations for their future. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 3 The manager ensures that staff supervision takes place regularly. Staff are provided with opportunities to reflect on their practice, development and the care provided to the child. Regular team meetings also take place. These are reflective and provide staff with opportunities to discuss practice and the individual needs of the child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager has a good understanding of the skills, knowledge, and experience of the staff. All staff working in the home have completed relevant training to help them to meet the child’s needs. When additional training needs are identified, the manger takes prompt action to ensure these are addressed.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, several staff have left and the staff team have been supported by agency staff. Managers were proactive in the recruitment of new staff and the use of agency staff has reduced. This means the child is now cared for by stable and consistent staff who know them well.

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/10/2023 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 4

p.3

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when implementing and reviewing risk assessments, the strategies included are clear, directive and scenario based. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brooks and Brooks Recruitment Limited

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hilton Jones, Hollinwood Business Center, Oldham, Lancashire OL8 4QQ

p.4

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Junior Brandford

p.4

Inspector

Kimmy Feeley, social care inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 5 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5