Children's home run by Vita Spirit Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 1 Registered provider: Vita Spirit Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a small private company and provides care for up to two children with learning difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2024.

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children new to the home are welcomed sensitively. Before children move in, an assessment is carried out to consider the children’s needs alongside the skills of the staff team. Parents and professionals, including those from school and health and specialist support services, are involved.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can visit the home and meet the staff team and other children before they move in. This approach means that children start to develop relationships before they move into the home.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a consistent team of staff who know the children well. Staff show children emotional warmth and treat them with dignity and respect. Staff have encouraged one child to explore new sensory experiences by introducing them to a variety of fruit. This is supporting the child to make progress from their starting point.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have plans that set out their likes and dislikes. These plans provide staff with targets to support each child’s progress. This includes introducing timers to prepare children for routine events, such as leaving for school. Children receive rewards when they achieve their targets.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s individual methods of communication are considered by staff. One child has been introduced to a range of communication methods, such as pictures to communicate and a visual support plan that uses photos of people and places to assist with the child’s transition from home to school. As a result, the child is prepared for school and can participate fully in their daily routine.

p.2

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

Staff understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe, and they receive training specific to safeguarding children.

p.2

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

Children’s risks and behaviours are clearly set out in their care plans. Staff are gentle in their approach and use a range of de-escalation techniques to support children to manage their feelings safely. Staff continually review their practice and adapt approaches to ensure that they are caring for children effectively.

p.2

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

Physical intervention is used when there is a risk to a child’s safety. Restrictive measures, such as safety vests to ensure that the child is safe when travelling in a car, are used with the consent of family members, social workers and other professionals. The manager has clear oversight of incidents and any actions taken by staff. The manager has a tracker in place that considers any themes and patterns and reflects on incidents in detail. This is used to review care practices to ensure that they are safe. As a result, incidents for the child are reducing. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 3 Children have structured routines which help them to safely manage their behaviours. When children struggle to adjust to boundaries, such as the removal of electronic devices at night, staff remain consistent in their approach. For one child, this means that they now have a regular sleep pattern, and they are better prepared for school where

p.2

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

The manager ensures that staff recruited are subject to all relevant checks, including enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. This ensures that children are looked after by adults who can care for them safely.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. The manager provides strong and effective leadership, fostering a culture of positivity and aspiration across the staff team. Staff are nurturing, child focused and enthusiastic.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All staff receive relevant training to help them understand the needs of each child. Regular supervision takes place, which supports staff practice. The manager and staff act on the advice provided by a positive behaviour support specialist to provide high- quality care for the child.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has systems in place to audit and monitor practice in the home. This provides oversight of emerging challenges and is used to make any changes to improve this.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have strong relationships with parents and external professionals. The manager ensures that significant events and daily experiences are shared. Therefore, when there was an issue with the child settling, this was quickly addressed by putting in place alternative approaches.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular team meetings are held. They are an opportunity to share creative ideas to improve the care provided. New staff are provided with a detailed induction that features individual career development goals which promote skills development and consistency of the workforce.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from parents is positive. They have praised the home’s approach to enhancing the children’s lives. This is mirrored by external professionals, who noted the creativity and dedication of the staff and the care that they provide. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 4

p.3

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: 2787284 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Vita Spirit Limited

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 28 Rodney Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 2TQ

p.5

Inspectors

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Jon Dutton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 6 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.

p.5

Inspectors

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 . 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.6

Inspectors

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

p.6

Inspectors

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

p.6