Birch Cottage

Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 1 SC421197 Registered provider: ABC Care and Education Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection, three children were living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2022.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

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.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/08/2023 Full Good 21/09/2022 Full Good 18/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children living in this home make exceptional progress from their individual starting points. They receive nurturing and individualised care that leads to significant change and improvement in their lives.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children live in a warm and welcoming home that reflects their interests. Their artwork is displayed throughout the home alongside certificates of achievements and photos of their activities and holidays. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and thoughtfully adapted to suit their individual needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff team strongly advocates on behalf of the children to ensure they receive excellent health care. This has resulted in children having access to speech and language therapy outside of their educational setting, allowing them to grow and develop their voices and communication skills. Staff work closely with speech and language professionals and find fun, creative ways to incorporate this work into children’s daily routines.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff communicate effectively with education professionals to ensure children receive consistent support. One teacher said, ‘Staff are genuinely interested and motivated to understand pupil’s needs.’ Staff encourage children to continue their learning at home and take part in extra-curricular activities. As a result, children are making exceptional progress in their education.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have fun. They are supported and encouraged to take part in a wide variety of hobbies, and staff are fully immersed in the children’s individual interests and activities.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s relationships with their families and friends are well supported by staff, who understand the significance of these relationships. Children have been able to attend their friend’s birthday parties for the first time and spend time with their peers outside of the home or educational setting. Family time is thoughtfully planned to ensure children spend quality time with their relatives. One parent said they have seen ‘massive progress’ for their children and said, ‘If it wasn’t for the staff, this wouldn’t have happened.’

p.3

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

Children benefit from effective help and protection. The well-being of children is at the forefront of staff’s practice. Staff have well-established relationships and clear communication with wider professionals to promote and ensure children’s safety.

p.3

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

Children share caring and trusting relationships with the adults who care for them, and they listen to staff’s advice and guidance. One child said staff are their family, ‘Staff are my family, and they make them feel safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 4 Staff know the children and understand their individual behaviour support and risk management plans. Plans are regularly updated and reviewed by all staff to ensure that they know how to respond to any new or emerging risks. The strategies in place to manage risks are thorough and created with therapeutic input. The registered manager and staff are proactive in planning how to manage any concerns, seeking input from all involved professionals while ensuring that the child’s voice is heard.

p.3

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

Targeted direct work is undertaken with children on important issues. This includes any matters specific to individual children as well as planned group work to support children to maintain safe and positive relationships with each other. The registered manager uses information from a range of sources to develop direct-work plans; this ensures that children are supported by the most current and relevant research.

p.4

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

There has been a reduction in the number of incidents requiring physical intervention. Children are only held as a last resort, and staff use child-led strategies to de-escalate situations. Records of incidents are detailed; however, the description of the actual hold used is not always fully clear.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by a dedicated and experienced registered manager. She has high aspirations for the children and is a strong advocate for them. One independent reviewing officer described her as ‘tenacious.’ The registered manager ensures that the children’s voices are heard, and she knows the children well.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is supported by a team of staff who are equally dedicated and share the same values. Staff are knowledgeable and motivated to make a positive difference for children and work consistently to do so. Staff say that they are well supported and that there is an open and helpful culture in the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager prioritises staff training and development. Staff have access to a broad range of mandatory training alongside additional training specific to the presenting needs of the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular, reflective supervision that is child focused. Annual performance appraisals reflect the commitment to the future development of staff.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff work in collaboration with wider agencies and have positive working relationships. Professionals speak highly of the team and describe excellent communication. One social worker said, ‘I am highly impressed with the care [names of children] receive. Staff have great communication, and there is always somebody available to speak to.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager knows the strengths of the home and has clear plans for development. Records are clear and informative, and the management oversight is strong. Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 5 The registered manager reviews practice in the home, and internal and external monitoring is used to continually improve staff practice to ensure that children have the best experiences possible. Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 6

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all records of physical intervention provide sufficient detail and description of the intervention used. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 49, paragraph 9.59)

p.6

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: SC421197 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: ABC Care and Education Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: International House, 61 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HZ

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Kennedy

p.7

Inspectors

Justina Henry, Social Care Inspector Sarah Jackson, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 8 regulates 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.

p.7

Inspectors

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 . 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.8

Inspectors

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

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8