Children's Home run by Social AdVentures Limited in Salford

Inspection report for children’s home: 2785828 1 Registered provider: Social Adventures Limited

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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 small private company and provides care for up to three children who may have behavioural and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home. One child had previously moved out.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in July 2024. This is the home’s first inspection. The manager registered with Ofsted as part of the registration process.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2785828 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is warm and welcoming, and staff place the children at the centre of their practice. Staff are highly motivated and say they enjoy their role. Children living in the home have fun. Staff spend time getting to know the children’s likes and dislikes which helps the children to experience a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s wishes and feelings are taken into account. One child wanted to attend a mainstream school; the manager advocated for this move as it was in the child’s best interests. Another child has been supported to remain in school with staff from the home supporting the child in the classroom and facilitating sessions with an external tutor. This means the child is participating in and is developing their confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience a range of community activities and new experiences such as going on holiday and attending a forest school. These activities support children to develop their social skills. One child who was initially unable to attend forest school without the support of staff is now attending alone.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children new to the home are welcomed sensitively. They are provided with details of their new home before arriving. When they move in, children are supported to personalise their bedrooms. Children already living in the home are prepared for new children moving in. Staff encourage children to spend time together and build on their relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s care documents are written to children detailing their experiences from their first day. Monthly reports include photos of activities and identify the progress that children have made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are treated with dignity and respect because staff have a comprehensive understanding of their experiences. Staff understand the people who are important to children and complex family relationships and dynamics are managed sensitively. As a result, one child’s parent was able to visit their child at home which has improved the quality of their relationship.

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

Children say they feel safe and trust the staff who care for them. When children make an allegation, this is responded to appropriately and children's views are taken seriously. The manager has ensured that a detailed investigation has been completed and consulted with the local authority designated safeguarding officer. Inspection report for children’s home: 2785828 3 Children who have experienced bullying from another child have been supported to make a complaint. Staff have introduced creative ideas to safeguard all the children during and after any bullying incidents.

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

When children have not settled in the home, they are supported to move to a new home. The manager and staff work with children’s social workers to ensure that their care needs are known, when looking at new homes for children.

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

Clear plans are in place so that staff understand their roles and responsibilities to support children who struggle to manage their feelings. These are completed with children who feel secure as they are involved in deciding what support and approaches work for them.

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

When children have needed to be held for their own safety this is proportionate and necessary and there is clear management oversight of any incidents. However, children and staff are not always given the opportunity to speak to an adult who was not involved in the incident. The impact for children is minimal, as restorative discussions take place. Staff do have the opportunity to reflect on incidents during supervision.

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

Children do not go missing from home. However, clear plans are in place should this happen and staff understand what actions they need to take to search for children so they can be safely returned home.

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

Children are supported to take risks appropriate to their age. One child can spend time independently with friends and there are processes in place so that children communicate can ensure children are safe. This means children are supported to develop their independence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed effectively. The manager is supported by the responsible individual and deputy manager who are aspirational for children and share a drive to improve outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A consistent staff team is in place. Staff have a wide range of previous experience and skills. Some staff are qualified, and others are completing the relevant qualification. Staff are trained in therapeutic crisis intervention, though this could be enhanced with additional training specific to children’s needs, including autistic spectrum disorder.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager regularly reviews the progress children are making. A monthly report sets out children’s achievements from their starting point. This means that children’s plans meet their needs as they are regularly updated to reflect any additional support they require.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses learning from children’s experiences. When one child moved on, the manager used feedback from commissioners alongside an internal review of the child’s Inspection report for children’s home: 2785828 4 time in the home to strengthen processes for children moving in. Practice has been strengthened around considering the wishes and feelings of the other children and ensuring staff have the necessary skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager responds to allegations and complaints and investigations are clearly recorded. The manager has strong relationships with professionals such as staff at school and social workers. This means that information is communicated promptly, and children are safeguarded without delay.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high expectations of the staff team and promotes a learning culture. This is reflected in team meetings which provide an opportunity for staff training and reflection on children’s progress and to think creatively about new ideas for improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision is a strength. Staff are responsible for preparing a self-reflection document to evaluate their level of understanding in areas such as safeguarding. This is then used to discuss and identify areas for development which promotes high-quality care. Staff say they feel supported and well led. Inspection report for children’s home: 2785828 5

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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

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that children and staff are provided with the opportunity to discuss the measure independently of the person involved in the restraint. 27 January 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2785828 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff complete specific training to develop their skills to meet children’s individual needs, specifically autism (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.5) Inspection report for children’s home: 2785828 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: 2785828 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Social Adventures Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 St Philips Place, Salford, Greater Manchester M3 6FA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Melanie McGuinness

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Inspector

Nicola Forrester, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2785828 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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