Children's Home run by Fledglings Child Care Limited in Manchester

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2773737 1 Registered provider: Fledglings Child Care Limited

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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 provider. It provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties. There were two children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in April 2024. There is an acting manager in post who, at the time of the inspection, had not applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 18 September 2024

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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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: 2773737 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has resigned and an acting manager is in post. A child moved out in December 2024 to a placement nearer to their family. This was a planned move. The child was able to celebrate their time living at the home. They received gifts and a scrapbook containing pictures and memories of their time living at the home. The child remains in touch with the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

One child moved in just a few days before the inspection and was starting to settle in and get to know the staff and routines. The child described the home as ‘better than I thought it would be’.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is well maintained, homely and spacious. Children like their bedrooms, which they keep tidy and are decorated and furnished to their own tastes.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have good relationships with staff, who they describe as caring, kind and ‘good fun’. Staff help children to see their family and friends safely, and encourage them to take part in a range of activities, including watching live premier football matches, walking and cycling.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support one child to attend an alternative education provision. The child engages well and is making good progress. Staff have engaged with appropriate professionals to identify an appropriate education provision for the child who only recently came to live at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Both children have been diagnosed with specific conditions. Although staff have completed some training, this is not sufficient to help them understand how to support children with specific conditions to develop the independence skills they will need to be able to live independent lives. The local authority for one child has started the pathway planning process, but this has not yet been reflected in the home’s own care plans.

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Findings from the inspection

Children said that they feel safe in the home and reported that they could talk to any staff about any concerns they may have. There has been no use of restraint or consequences since the last inspection. The children living at the home do not go missing from home or leave the home without telling staff where they are going. The child who recently moved out, did go missing from home frequently. Staff would always follow the child and try to encourage them to return, or try to engage them in activities to distract them from going missing from home.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has been in post since October 2024 and has not applied to register with Ofsted. He is the registered manager for another children’s home that is owned by the same provider. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2773737 3 Since coming into post, the manager has carried out a thorough review of the quality of care. The report is detailed and clearly sets outs the areas for development and targets to be reached.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff report that they are supported by the manager and the head of care, who visit frequently and provide good advice and regular supervision sessions. The manager has identified that staff require further development through additional training and opportunities to reflect on their practice. The creation of staff development plans was in hand at the time of the inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The arrangements for internal and external monitoring are good. The recommendations made by the independent person are appropriate and help to support the development of the care provided.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2773737 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2773737 5

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Statutory requirement

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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that the manager makes an application to be registered. 15 February 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered manager should ensure that staff have sufficient understanding to support children in a way that they can understand, to help each child to prepare for any moves from the home, whether they are returning home, moving to another placement or adult care, or to live independently. This includes supporting the children to develop emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home’s support and, where the child is moving to live independently, practical skills, such as cooking, housework, budgeting and personal self-care. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 17, paragraph 3.27) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2773737 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Fledglings Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fledglings Child Care, 163 Kingsway, Manchester M19 2ND

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Inspector

Helen Humphreys, His Majesty’s Inspector of Social Care Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2773737 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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