Children's home run by Fresh Start Care Group Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2682789 1 Registered provider: Fresh Start Care Group Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to three children. At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 10 April 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 27 February 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2682789 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/02/2024 Full Outstanding 15/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2682789 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make notable progress and improve their self-esteem because of the skills and experience of staff working at this home. For example, one child, who has recently moved into the home and has previously had very low school attendance, is now attending full time because of the consistent routine staff are providing. Staff have supported the child with developing their confidence by taking part in celebrating school events. This has resulted in the child receiving an award for their achievements. Another child is attending an alternative provision full time and staff have advocated for them to start the transition to a mainstream school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s wide-ranging needs and the importance of keeping those who matter to them close. For example, family members frequently visit the home, including on Christmas Day, and staff ensure that children are regularly taken to see their family members. This supports children’s sense of belonging and meets their emotional needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are focused on empowering children to feel heard. Children’s preferences about food, decorating the home and accessing activities are swiftly actioned, which helps them to build trusting relationships. Staff support children in raising their concerns about their care. They help children with accessing advocates when necessary to assist decision-making about their care plans. Children’s records are sensitively written, and staff are thoughtful in how they care for and communicate with children. For example, staff have regular discussions with children to help educate them about their health, emotions and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to enjoy themselves and explore new opportunities through chosen activities, such as roller skating, boxing, swimming, cadets and cooking. They benefit from short breaks locally and visit an array of educational and outdoor activities across the region. One child enjoyed a trip to Spain with staff before he moved out of the home. This supports children’s physical and emotional well-being and widens their experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff ensure that the home is maintained to a high standard. All staff and visitors wear slippers in the house, which demonstrates the care and respect they have for the home. It is a large, clean house with big bedrooms that have ensuite bathrooms. There is a spacious, well-maintained garden that children enjoy playing in. Staff have ensured that the home meets children’s sensory needs through the chosen design, colour palette and decoration.

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

Staff are experienced and knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures. Staff are secure and confident in their work. They have professional conversations and challenge each other when needed in the best interests of the children. Children have not raised Inspection report for children’s home: 2682789 4 any concerns about their care. One child told the inspector that staff support and teach them to remain safe online.

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

Since the last inspection, there have been two low-level complaints about staff. The manager and staff take any concerns a child raises seriously. Staff respond swiftly to ensure that children feel heard and take effective action to help understand the child’s experience to help prevent future complaints being made. Staff make sure that children understand what they have done in response and acknowledge how important their feedback is.

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

Children who go missing from the home and who are at risk of criminal exploitation receive caring and persistent responses from staff. Staff search known addresses, contact family and friends, and make continued attempts to stay in touch with the child. Staff repeatedly let the child know they are worried and collect them as soon as possible when they know their whereabouts, to help ensure their safety. Managers and staff work in partnership with the police, family members and social workers to assess and respond effectively to risks to children outside of the home.

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

Recently, there has been an increase in staff having to physically restrain children. However, some records do not demonstrate that the use of restraint is always needed or detail how staff have supported the child beforehand to try and avoid this. Some records lack specific detail about the length of the restraint. The impact of the use of restraint and any wider learning is not always evidenced by the manager to help staff support the child with their behaviours. The registered manager ensures that staff and children are routinely spoken to after incidents to understand children’s experiences.

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

The recording and oversight of children’s administered medication are effective. Medicines kept in the home are stored in a secure place and staff take their responsibilities seriously in helping children to understand the importance of taking prescribed medication to ensure that their health is maintained.

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

Safer recruitment processes for permanent and agency staff are robust. Records are well organised and comprehensive. Managers ensure that they obtain a range of references for staff who have previously worked in care roles. Staff are supported to be part of the Disclosure and Barring Service update service to ensure frequent oversight to help keep children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are overwhelmingly positive about the dedication and expertise of the registered manager in helping them provide the best care for children. The registered manager is described as ‘amazing’ and ‘incredibly supportive’. The registered manager is assisted by a caring and experienced deputy manager who provides strong oversight to staff as well as a knowledgeable responsible individual who frequently visits the home to ensure children’s well-being. Children benefit from a stable staff team. All members of staff who were working at the home at the time of the last inspection are still working there now, which provides continuity for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682789 5 Staff benefit from a range of bespoke training to build their skills and meet children’s needs. This includes life-story work, attachment and LGBTQ+ training. The culture among staff is one of learning and developing. Most staff are appropriately qualified, a

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

small number are studying for their qualifications, and senior members of staff have their management qualifications. This provides the skill set and knowledge needed to meet children’s diverse needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and reflective supervision from managers, which is comprehensively recorded. Staff are encouraged to discuss and reflect on their practice to help them improve. In addition, staff benefit from access to a clinical psychologist who provides therapeutic discussions and guidance in helping them care for children. The manager appropriately challenges staff about their practice to improve children’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The children’s social workers and family members are exceptionally positive about the care provided by staff and managers. They receive routine communication about children’s progress and any concerns. One child’s mother described the home as ‘one of the best’ she has come across. Another family member said, ‘Staff are highly supportive and listen.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2682789 6

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Statutory requirements

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

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

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Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

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Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or

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Requirement Due date

a child who is accommodated in a secure children’s home from absconding from the home.

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)) 28 February 2025

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(iv)(v)(vii)) 28 February 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2682789 7

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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: 2682789 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Fresh Start Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Oak House, Bridgwater Road, Worcester, Worcestershire WR4 9FP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Whitworth

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Inspector

Anna Gravelle, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2682789 9 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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