Children's Home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group 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 by a private provider and is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced and is registered with Ofsted. They were present throughout the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children currently live at the home. Their views were sought and have been considered within this report.

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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

Date of last inspection: 19 September 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/09/2023 Full Good 31/08/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 3

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home. This was a well- planned transition, with the child visiting the home and meeting the other child before moving in. There was a thorough risk assessment and matching process completed to consider the impact of this transition on both children. Due to this careful consideration of needs, children are well matched and have a positive relationship with each other.

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outstanding

Children are making exceptionally good progress from their starting points, and the care provided is enhancing children’s lives. They have trusting and positive relationships with staff and are provided with nurturing care. There is a good daily structure, routines and boundaries in the home, and children as a result feel safe and are settled.

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outstanding

Children are making good progress in education and have excellent attendance and attainment. One child has recently completed their Duke of Edinburgh bronze award and academic qualifications and is proud of these achievements. Children’s progress and achievements are celebrated and shared, and this helps in promoting their self- esteem.

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outstanding

The manager has worked closely with schools to help them develop a better understanding of the children’s individual needs, and this has contributed to the positive progress being made. They have been a strong advocate for a child in accessing an education placement that is better suited to their needs.

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outstanding

Children are supported to maintain contact with people who are important to them. Staff have worked closely with families and the children to improve and strengthen these relationships and bonds. This has helped children to remain connected to their family networks. Children have opportunities to engage in a range of activities in the home and community and attend local clubs, such as a dance club and football club. This helps children to develop social skills and links with their local community.

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are well met, and they are supported to lead healthy lifestyles. Children no longer use vapes and are encouraged to take regular exercise. The clinical team provides additional support to staff. The preferred model of care is underpinned by theory and is well embedded within the home and staff practices. Evaluation tools which monitor children’s emotional health and well-being are used, and this provides a useful resource in completing targeted work and to evidence progress that children are making in this area.

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outstanding

Care planning is of an excellent standard, and children’s plans are regularly reviewed and updated. Child-friendly versions have been created, and this helps children to Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 4 understand their plans and the expectations of these. Children have a clear voice in the home. They are consulted with regularly, and their views help inform every aspect of their care and their home.

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outstanding

There have been no incidents, missing-from-care events, complaints or allegations, which is because children are being well supported by a team that knows and understands them and helps them to communicate their needs in more effective ways. Children said they feel safe and could identify themselves how staff have supported them to reduce incidents.

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outstanding

Risk assessments and support plans contain detailed guidance for staff and are individual to the child. They are regularly reviewed, and the clinical team provides additional support to staff to implement care practice that is informed by relevant theoretical considerations. This means if an incident occurred, staff have a good understanding of how best to support children.

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outstanding

The manager has created a series of workshops for staff that focus on the managing, recording and reporting of incidents, including the use of positive language when reflecting on behaviour that may challenge. These workshops are now being delivered across the organisation to develop staff knowledge and understanding.

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outstanding

Staff have received extensive safeguarding training, which includes training about the exploitation of children delivered by an external agency. This means staff have been provided with clear guidance on how to keep children safe from abuse and exploitation.

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outstanding

Children are cared for by staff that have been assessed as being safe adults to work with children. New staff are provided with an in-depth induction that includes regular profession supervision and mentoring. This allows new staff time to reflect and learn from practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is highly effective; she provides strong leadership and has high expectations and aspirations for staff and children. She has a good plan for further development of the home to continue to provide children with outstanding care. The management team provides staff with positive and child-centred role modelling, which has had an impact on developing nurturing and trusting relationships with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has good oversight of the home and has implemented effective systems and processes for quality assurance and monitoring. They are well supported by other senior staff in the home who provide additional oversight. There has been a strong focus on developing staff’s knowledge and understanding of their Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 5 roles and responsibilities. This has had a positive impact on the standards of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are happy and feel well supported by managers and leaders. They have trust and confidence in the manager, which means they have been open and receptive to new ways of working that incorporate theory-based practices. Staff have regular supervision and appraisals. They are provided with regular opportunities to reflect on their practice and in setting development goals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works well with multi-agency teams, and feedback from professionals was universally positive about them. The manager was praised by professionals for the impact they have had on children’s lives and the excellent communication with the home. The manager advocates strongly for children within professionals’ meetings to ensure that children’s voices are heard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 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 for children’s home: 2662427 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 8 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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