Children's Home run by Family First Care Services Ltd in Haringey

Inspection report for children’s home: 2636743 1 Registered provider: Family First Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to three children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home. The inspector spoke to two of the children during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in July 2021.

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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: 2636743 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2024 Full Good 21/03/2023 Full Good 09/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2636743 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop a great sense of belonging living at the home. Staff prepare children for when new children move in, and they receive a warm welcome. Children are happy and settle quickly into their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have highly personalised and well-decorated bedrooms. One child said, ‘I love my room, it’s really nice.’ The home is clean; however, redecoration and minor repairs are needed throughout communal living areas.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have trusting relationships with staff. Staff know the children well and tailor support and nurture to meet their individual needs. Children regularly talk with staff and discuss their interests, which staff fully promote. For example, one child’s wish to become a veterinarian is encouraged with the responsibility of caring for a hamster. One child described staff as being ‘absolutely amazing’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to ensuring that children access appropriate learning opportunities and education. Children not enrolled in mainstream school now access alternative education provision. One child attends school full time. Children’s education attendance, while variable, is improving. Children are proud of the progress they have made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive support from staff to develop important life skills. Children are progressing well from their starting points. They enjoy learning about self-care and practical culinary skills. One child creates their own food menus and cooks independently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. All children are registered with universal services and have detailed healthcare plans. Staff support children to attend appointments to ensure that their medical needs are met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage well with tailored key-work sessions. Staff and children reflect together through regular discussions about the child’s personal development and life journey. Children use these discussions to request advice and support, which staff respond to. This has helped children to prepare for their school examinations and to care for their pets.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children remain connected with family members. Staff make plans and establish good connections with these significant people. Children spend quality time with their families inside and outside of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities in the home and local community. Staff encourage children’s personal interests and create positive memories. During the summer, children enjoyed holidays away with staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2636743 4

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

Children are safe and well looked after in the home. Staff communicate with partner agencies effectively. They ensure that information is shared, and concerns are raised promptly. Children’s plans and support strategies are collaboratively reviewed. This is a successful approach to safeguarding children.

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

Staff manage risks for children effectively. Risks and support strategies for children are understood as risk assessments are kept up to date to reflect current risks pertaining to each child. Staff follow clear protocols when children go missing from their home. Staff welcome children when they return home and talk about how to keep themselves safe.

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

Staff respect children’s wishes and feelings. House meetings take place regularly and are child centred. Children confidently express their views, and they can choose and influence what happens in their home. Importantly, these meetings offer regular opportunities for children to raise concerns. Children have no complaints living at this home.

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

Staff advocate on behalf of children. Staff source additional specialist services to promote and support children’s well-being. One child now accesses therapeutic support and attends weekly sessions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have high aspirations for children. They ensure that staff have the right knowledge and understand the children’s individual needs. Staff are confident in caring for children as they receive tailored, comprehensive training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the home. They have effective monitoring and assurance systems in place. Staff receive direction to address any shortfalls in practice and improve service delivery. Children experience personalised care to meet their needs. Children’s case documents are detailed. However, signatory of management and staff is inconsistent across the records.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from monthly supervision sessions. Discussions are child focused and recorded in detail. Leaders and managers hear staff’s views and opinions and provide practice support. These discussions attune staff’s care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are an important forum that are well attended. Children’s progress and the quality of care provided are a focus. A clinical psychologist attends every other month. Their input supports staff’s well-being and addresses areas to improve and develop staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2636743 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all case records are kept up to date and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)  The registered person should ensure that they provide a home that creates a warm, welcoming and child-friendly environment. Any damage to the building must be addressed without delay. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children’s home: 2636743 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: 2636743 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Family First Care Services Limited

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Inspector

Natalie Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2636743 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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