Children's home run by A&M Care Solutions Limited – trading as Metropolitan Care Solutions

Inspection report for children’s home: 2589579 1 Registered provider: A&M Care Solutions Limited - T/A Metropolitan Care Solutions

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. It can provide care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home and one child has moved out. At the time of this inspection, there were three children living at the home. All children were seen and spoken to by the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 16 January 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2589579 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/01/2024 Full Outstanding 24/01/2023 Full Outstanding 11/01/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2589579 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children receive exceptional bespoke care. They thrive in a familial environment where their personalities and characters flourish. Children are encouraged to discover their likes and interests, and these are reflected remarkably well in their bedroom decor. For example, one child has a fascination with maps and delights in the giant map mural on their bedroom wall. This helps children to feel valued and cherished and develop a strong sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and staff have high aspirations for children. Staff are effective in supporting children to progress far beyond professionals’ expectations. For one child who could not manage large crowds or stimulating environments, they have been supported to see their favourite pop group in concert. All of the children have been helped to develop their speech, meaning they no longer rely on using pictures and symbols to communicate. This greatly enhances their experiences and life chances.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and staff are skilled in meeting children’s health needs, ensuring that children’s health improves. For example, children who were incontinent when they were first placed, are now fully continent. Two children no longer need to take laxative medicines due to improvements in their diet and overall health, and for one child, there has been a reduction in medication used to help them sleep.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are helped to achieve in education. Staff travel a considerable distance to take children to school, preventing additional moves. The manager and staff work incredibly well with teachers to ensure that care is well coordinated. One teacher said, ‘The whole experience with the home has been brilliant; they have bent over backwards.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s moves in and out of the home are exemplary. Transition plans are child centred and thoughtfully considered. Children are meaningfully consulted and have a genuine say in their plans. This minimises children’s anxieties and helps them to settle quickly.

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

Children are helped to learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff involve children in creating their own safety plans, ensuring that they are meaningful and effective. When asked on inspection what it is like to live at the home, one child said ‘it’s safe’.

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

Staff help children to develop their own effective strategies to self-regulate. One child sings when feeling anxious, and another child uses the home’s sensory room to feel calm. This level of support promotes resilience in children and enhances their independence skills. It has also helped to significantly reduce the type of behaviours that can become difficult to manage. Inspection report for children’s home: 2589579 4 Staff are reflective and have a deep insight into children’s needs. They understand children’s triggers, such as certain words to avoid or use. There is a continuous emphasis on understanding children’s behaviour and how staff can support them. One social worker said, ‘The staff are really solution focused. They are creative in what they do to support the children and make a real difference.’

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

Children know how to complain. The home’s complaints procedure is clear and accessible. Children’s concerns are taken seriously and are fully investigated. Children receive a prompt response from the manager. An advocate visits the children each month, providing an opportunity for children to confide in someone who is independent of the home.

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

Staff are proactive and creative in providing a safe environment. For one child who has a vision impairment, colours in the home were adapted following consultation with specialist agencies. This reduced the number of injuries and accidents in the home for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a very skilled and influential leader. He shows a genuine desire to improve the lives of the children in his care. He is a strong advocate for children and tenaciously challenges any decisions that are not in their best interests. He sets high expectations for staff, and they respect and admire his strong leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a long-standing and stable team of staff, who feel well supported. This gives children stability and consistency of care. Staff have positive relationships with each other, creating a harmonious environment for children to enjoy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are highly skilled and trained to meet children’s needs, such as autism and deep pressure therapy, and have a good awareness of the Mental Capacity Act. The manager tests staff’s safeguarding knowledge through regular quizzes. He researches relevant topics and seeks specialist advice when necessary. For example, he has consulted several medical professionals and online resources to determine best practice in treating a child’s skin condition.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent oversight of the service. He has robust and effective monitoring and quality assurance systems in place. He knows what is happening in the home daily. Feedback from external stakeholders and children is routinely sought and considered. Regular internal and external audits are undertaken. Any shortfalls are promptly addressed. This ensures that standards of care remain high.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has strong working relationships with external professionals, such as social workers and teachers. He works exceptionally well with others to ensure that children are at the heart of all decisions regarding their care. Feedback from external stakeholders is unanimously positive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2589579 5

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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: 2589579 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: A&M Care Solutions Limited - T/A Metropolitan Care Solutions

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 Regent Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG1 5BQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Katherine Adkins

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Inspector

Emma Dacres, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2589579 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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