Children's Home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for children’s home: 1266267 1 Registered provider: Progress Children’s Services Ltd

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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 operated by a private organisation. The home provides residential short breaks for children with learning and/or physical disabilities. There are currently 57 children accessing short breaks at this home. Children attend for short breaks in small groups of up to six children.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a permanent registered manager who is suitably experienced and qualified. An interim manager was registered between June and November 2024, as the permanent manager was away from the home for a planned period.

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Information about this children’s home

There were four children having a short break on the first day and three different children on the second day. The inspector spent time with four children.

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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 good

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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: 23 January 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1266267 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/01/2024 Full Good 21/02/2023 Full Good 15/11/2021 Full Good 08/01/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1266267 3

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outstanding

Children receive well-planned and consistently high-quality care during their short breaks at this home. Staff speak to each child’s parent or carer before each short break to ensure that they have all the current information to provide the best care for the child. Staff are well prepared to welcome children into the home, and children’s photos are displayed outside their bedrooms, giving a sense of belonging. When children arrive, staff are nurturing and greet children with enthusiasm and warmth.

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outstanding

Staff are empathetic and encouraging to parents and carers, showing a genuine interest in the well-being of the whole family. Staff build positive and trusting relationships with parents and carers, which means parents and carers are confident to entrust the care of children to them.

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outstanding

Staff extend the care and support they provide to children and parents beyond the short breaks. This is through providing advice, planned support in the community and, on occasion, staff have supported parents in crisis situations.

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outstanding

Children enjoy a range of activities at the home and going out for trips and events. The activities children take part in are evaluated to identify the level of benefit and enjoyment. This is used in future planning to ensure that children gain the most enriching and enjoyable experiences during their short breaks. As a result, children’s experiences are significantly broadened.

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outstanding

Staff help children get involved in community-based events, such as visiting the local Christmas light switch on and taking part in Remembrance Day events. Managers arranged for one child, who has moved on from short breaks, to perform a magic show for the staff at the home as part of his charity fundraising efforts. This was an enriching experience for the child.

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outstanding

Staff are skilled at communicating with children and demonstrate a good understanding of their preferred methods. There is a wealth of resources available and accessible to support children’s communication. Bespoke resources have been produced in line with children’s specific needs and in collaboration with parents and carers. Managers convey important information to children using accessible social stories, for example when there was a change of manager at the home.

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outstanding

Staff help and encourage children to make small and gradual steps towards their individual goals, and children are making progress during their short breaks, for example making a meal, spending time in the community or eating at the table. The independence skills children develop benefit them beyond the short-break setting and into their home life. Staff recognise and delight in children’s progress and Inspection report for children’s home: 1266267 4 achievements. Children receive certificates that are taken home to share with their families.

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

Staff regularly refresh their knowledge by reading children’s plans, and managers highlight any changes to staff. As a result, staff understand children’s current needs and risks. Staff understand their specific roles and duties, and they supervise and care for children in line with their plans.

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

Managers make a clear assessment about necessary staffing ratios for each child, to keep them safe. When children have enhanced staffing, this is kept under review and reductions are made when appropriate. For example, several children have gone from requiring two staff all the time, to just when out in the community due to the additional risks.

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

Staff are attentive to children and responsive to changes in their presentation. They use effective strategies to help to reduce children’s anxieties. Staff only physically intervene with children’s behaviours of concern when necessary for safety. Staff are well trained in techniques, and this is kept up to date with refresher training and in team meetings.

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

Staff help children learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, one child has been helped to learn about telling the truth by using a social story. Staff are trained and have been assessed as competent to meet children’s specialist health and care needs. Furthermore, specialist equipment at the home is maintained to ensure that it remains safe for use.

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

There have been two occasions when staff have not followed safeguarding procedures and reported concerns in a timely way. Managers have taken these events very seriously and have been diligent in their response. Following detailed investigations, managers are meticulous about completing all outcomes and actions arising. There has been a purposeful and determined focus on upskilling those staff in safeguarding matters.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is highly organised and is an inspirational role model for the staff team. Staff say they are very well supported by the manager at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has established a strong leadership team, which is integral to the effective running of the service. Leaders and managers all have very clear roles and responsibilities, and each takes responsibility for an area of management oversight. As a result, management oversight at the home is extremely diligent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The organisation’s training programme for those who are new into leadership roles is well established and provides focused support for staff development and progression. Inspection report for children’s home: 1266267 5 All staff are trained in a breadth of topics, which prepares them well for their roles. All staff receive supervision. The frequency of supervision is increased when necessary and enhanced by observations of staff practice. As a result, staff are well supported with their individual development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are a very high number of children who access short breaks at the home, and their care is exceptionally well organised. Managers thoughtfully and carefully consider the compatibility of groups of children to maximise children’s experiences and manage any potential risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have embedded research-informed practice at the home. As a result, the staff approach children’s care in a mindful way, using the strategies in line with the home’s model of care. Furthermore, staff use a formal sensory-based approach in supporting children to regulate their emotions effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is highly effective partnership working with parents and professionals. This is enhanced by open days for parents to visit and for staff to share more about children’s experiences and progress. This innovative idea is in its infancy, and there is an enthusiastic staff member taking a lead on planning the next event.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a real ethos of positivity at the home, and managers and staff are highly motivated to provide enriching experiences to children. The manager aspires for continual development and improvement. Children have thoroughly enjoyable experiences during their short breaks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made during this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1266267 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: 1266267 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Progress Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Progress House, 127 Millfields Road, Wolverhampton WV4 6JG

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Inspector

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1266267 8 and inspects to 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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