Children's home run by Penn Inspires Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 1 Registered provider: Penn Inspires Ltd 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 company. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2021 and is suitably qualified. The manager is also registered to manage another children’s home in the company.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/07/2023 Full Good 30/05/2022 Full Good 14/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children living in the home were present and spoke with the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home and three children have moved out. Overall, moves are planned and coordinated. For example, one child moved to a foster home, and another child moved into their own semi-independent accommodation. One child, however, left the home with immediate effect. This was because the manager felt that staff were unable to provide care in line with the child’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are considered in the care that they receive. Their views are captured through planned direct work and day-to-day conversations in their own words. When children ask to take part in activities, they are listened to and encouraged. Children can see the results of their views being listened to and acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from professionals is positive. A social worker said that a child’s move into the home was handled with care and sensitivity. Staff visited the child before they moved into the home and provided them with birthday presents, which minimised the impact of the move on the child’s birthday. Professionals say that staff advocate on behalf of children and strong relationships are being formed between children and staff, which is aiding children’s progression.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s educational attainment is a strength. One child has been supported by staff at a school event. The child told a teacher, ‘It was one of the best days of my life.’ The child walked around the event proudly with staff, enjoyed many activities and demonstrated exemplary behaviour. This positive feedback reinforces the staff’s commitment to meeting the needs of the children and ensuring that they feel seen, heard and supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with a welcoming, warm and nurturing home environment. Children are given the opportunity to personalise their bedroom to their own taste. Children’s achievements are displayed in the kitchen, and photos of the children are displayed in communal areas around home. This provides children with the understanding that they are important and valued. Games are in the communal areas, which children are encouraged to use. This promotes children’s social interactions and will enable them to thrive.

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

Children are safe and their vulnerabilities are understood. Safeguarding incidents have occurred. These have involved children being missing from home, misusing substances and carrying knifes, and have required police involvement. The frequency of incidents fluctuates. Safeguarding incidents are treated seriously and there is a well-coordinated Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 4 response by staff to minimise risk to children. Children are provided with opportunities to learn from safeguarding incidents.

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

Staff de-escalate difficult situations well. This reduces the need to use physical intervention. Since the last inspection, there has been one incident involving the use of restraint, which was proportionate. Staff regularly consider patterns of behaviour and adjust their response accordingly to support children with managing their emotions effectively.

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

When children go missing from home, staff are aware of the expectations to report incidents and contact professionals to support children’s safety. The manager regularly reviews missing children’s plans to ensure that they are tailored to children’s behaviours at that point in time.

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

Staff do not always follow risk assessments relating to children’s health. As a result, one child required medical treatment. Harm was reduced by the quick responses from staff to provide medical assistance. Future harm has now been minimised by health risk assessments being updated and additional training being offered to staff.

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

When children raise concerns, managers respond quickly to carry out thorough investigations. However, one child moved out of the home quickly after raising a concern. The child was not informed about the outcome of the investigation despite this being stipulated in the home’s policy and procedure used to investigate. Children should be reassured that their allegations will be responded to and treated seriously and must be helped to understand what has happened because of raising their concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An enthusiastic manager brings a vast amount of experience to the role. The manager is supported by an experienced and suitably qualified deputy manager and responsible individual. The management team is visible in the home and has formed positive and nurturing relationships with staff and children. Responsibilities are shared among the management team to ensure that children’s and staff’s needs are met. This has resulted in a stable and reliable team. This ultimately benefits children, who are being provided with consistent carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is high, and they are consistently positive about the registered manager and leadership team. They say the manager is supportive and they are enabled to progress professionally. One member of staff travels 100 miles to work in the home, which is a testament to the culture in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s monitoring and reviewing systems are strong. Oversight by the manager ensures that the quality of care provided to children is high and learning opportunities are identified quickly. This means patterns and trends are recognised faster and protects children who are vulnerable to harm. Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 5 The management team provides staff with regular supervision, training and development opportunities. The manager frequently reviews staff development, and progress targets are set. This practice ensures that staff can meet children’s needs and keep them safe through enhancing their skills and understanding. Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to respond to children’s health needs. This specifically relates to staff ensuring that they abide by the health safety plans around children’s allergies. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.12)  The registered person should ensure that children can take up issues or make a complaint with support and without any fear that this will result in any adverse consequences, and that the outcome of any complaint or allegation is provided to the child in line with the home’s policy and procedure. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.13)

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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: 2569705 7

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Inspector

Tonia Dubidat, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 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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