Children's Home run by Children and Family Services Limited in Luton

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028599 1 SC028599

p.1

Registered provider: Children and Family Services Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private organisation and provides care for up to seven children with physical and/or learning disabilities. At the time of this inspection, seven children were living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028599 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There are currently seven children living at the home. All of the children were seen during the inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

One child moved out during this review period. This move took place in a planned way. One child recently moved in and is making good progress. Their school provided positive feedback on how the staff have supported the child and the positive effect that this has had on the child’s physical and emotional development.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Most children have lived at the home for a long period of time. A range of feedback was received from parents and professionals. This feedback highlighted the excellent communication from staff and the support and care for children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

One young person has recently turned 18 years old. They have lived at the home for over five years. They have made great progress with their independence skills. They enjoy an active social life, going out independently to meet friends, playing pool and going bowling. They will be moving out soon and it is clear that they will be missed by the staff. The young person gave positive feedback about the home and said that they thought it was ‘amazing’.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children are supported to see their family, who are welcomed to the home. One parent spoke about how she can call in whenever she wants and how much she appreciates this.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children take part in a range of activities. Staff promote children spending time together. For example, children went out together on New Year’s Eve to see some fireworks. They have been on trips to the beach, holidays and cinema, and specialist days have been arranged for children with additional needs. This helps children to have fun and take part in enjoyable activities.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have a minimum of one-to-one staffing. Staff know children well and this is clear in their plans. Children’s plans are individual to each child and describe their needs and challenges. They include strategies to help staff support children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

One child had a specialist feeding regime when they moved into the home, which involved being tube-fed liquids. Over time, staff have supported them to be able to eat solid foods without the need for a tube. The social worker said that the child has ‘absolutely thrived’. She spoke of the positive impact of them being able to go to eat with their peers at a restaurant, as they have never been able to do this before. This child also experienced their first ever holiday with staff in the summer. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028599 3 There have been several medication errors since the last inspection. Leaders and managers are aware of this and have put plans in place to help address it. Staff have had further training; however, since that time, there has been another error. One child also receives an ‘as required’ prescribed medication. The protocol for this is not sufficiently clear and the regular administration of this has not been reviewed.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The kitchen in one house is locked, with keypad entry. There is no clear, risk assessed reason for this. Children should be able to access all areas of their home unless there is a clear safety reason for why this is not appropriate.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The manager in place is suitably qualified and experienced. He has developed an action plan since the last inspection. He has been open and transparent and is keen to continue to improve the service. He has made improvements in a number of areas.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff said that the manager is very approachable and supportive. Professionals also gave him positive feedback. However, supervisions have not always been carried out in line with the home’s policy for staff and bank staff.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The manager has met the requirements from the last inspection. One recommendation for staff supervision will be restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028599 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/08/2023 Full Good 10/05/2022 Full Good 08/06/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028599 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording and safe administration of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, staff need to follow the correct procedures when administering medication, and the manager needs to complete a clear protocol for ‘as required’ medication. 5 February 2025

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that just as in a family home, children are able to access all shared areas of their home unless there are specific reasons why this would not meet a child’s needs. Limits on privacy and access may only be put in place to safeguard each child in the home, and any decisions to limit a child’s access to any area of the home for safety reasons should be informed by a rigorous assessment of that individual child’s needs, be properly recorded and be kept under regular review. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10)  The registered person should ensure that there are systems in place so that all staff receive supervision that allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. The frequency of supervision should be in line with company policy. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations,

p.5

Recommendations

including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028599 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Children and Family Services Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Number 3 Siskin Drive, Middlemarch Business Park, Coventry CV3 4FJ

p.6

Inspector

Mary Costello, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC028599 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

Inspector

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 .

p.7

Inspector

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7