Children's home run by Young Foundations Limited in Wirral

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183911 1 Registered provider: Young Foundations Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned. It provides care for up to 12 children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. At the time of this inspection, four children were living in the home and two children had left the home. Four children were seen during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home currently has an acting manager, who has not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: 1183911 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have taken appropriate action to support staff to spend quality time with the children. This helps the children to have fun and build relationships with staff and peers.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff use individual approaches to help the children express their views. They understand children’s unique personalities and traits, and have access to a range of aids to assist with communication. However, gaps in children’s plans and records mean that it is not consistently clear what children’s preferred communication aids are. This makes it difficult to ensure that all staff are consistent in their approach in ensuring that children’s voices are heard and understood.

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Findings from the inspection

During the inspection, the home was in the process of being redecorated. The children’s communal lounges looked homely, clean and tidy, with additional lighting and soft furnishings. The acting manager has supported children to be part of the decision-making around how the home looks.

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Findings from the inspection

The children’s risk assessments are detailed and cover all known and associated risks. Positive behaviour plans are written from the children’s perspective and give staff clear actions to take to support children and reduce any known risks. Staff understand the children’s risks and, overall, take action to better protect children from harm.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the children’s health needs and ensure that they have access to specialist services as and when required. Medication is stored appropriately. However, the recording of the administration of children’s medication and follow up support is not undertaken in line with the home’s procedures. This means that leaders and managers are not able to be assured that staff are offering the appropriate quality of care to ensure children’s welfare.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have gained further skills in positive behavioural management techniques, which better enable them to help children when they become frustrated or experience heightened emotions. On occasions, physical intervention has been deemed necessary. The recordings of these incidents are clear and include reflective management oversight. Staff are spoken to after incidents and attempts are made to support children to understand what happened. Additionally, staff have discussions with children around peer relationships and work with the children to help them to understand and explore their feelings and behaviours. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183911 3 Leaders and managers assess and monitor children’s safety and well-being. Additionally, they address staff practice and implement changes to make the home as safe as it can be for children.

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Findings from the inspection

When required, leaders and managers notify Ofsted of significant events in a timely manner. This helps to ensure that the regulator maintains oversight of the home’s responses to safeguarding concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have oversight of significant incidents, and have audit tools in place that review the quality of care offered to children. The improvements in the monitoring and oversight of significant incidents are helping the acting manager to develop staff’s practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have access to additional support, training and development opportunities. Staff are also supported to have regular team meetings, which are in addition to monthly reflective clinical meetings. This support assists staff to develop their confidence around the home’s model of care and develop their skills to meet the needs of the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have been proactive in progressing requirements from the previous full inspection. They have a clear understanding of the areas of strength in the home and what needs to be developed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183911 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/05/2023 Full Good 21/11/2022 Full Good 04/05/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183911 5

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Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure clear recording when children are administered ‘as required’ medication and record post-administration support, in line with the home’s procedures. 3 January 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff consistently understand and record that children have their required aids, and consistently acknowledge and respond to children who are expressing their views through their behaviour, or non- verbally. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.10) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183911 6

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Young Foundations Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Alexander House, Highfield Park, Llandrynog, Denbighshire Wales LL16 4LU

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Inspectors

Gina Lightfoot, Social Care Inspector Jo Cansfield, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183911 7 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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