Children's Home run by New Focus Child Care LTD in Staffordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724906 1 Registered provider: New Focus Childcare Ltd

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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 company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities. There is a permanent registered manager at the home, who is suitably experienced and qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home. One child was present and spoke with the inspector, the other child was not present but was spoken to by phone.

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Inspection date: 5 February 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 5 February 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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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. The inspector has 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: 2724906 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

The home provides a pleasant and comfortable space for children to live. A recent extension to the home has enhanced the environment. Staff embed clear routines for children at the home, this means that children engage in their education. Furthermore, one child has made good progress with improved sleep and hygiene routines.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has lived at the home for nearly a year and has made significant progress. As a result, they are now moving on to live with family. Staff arranged for this occasion to be celebrated with a meal out, gifts and cards. The child said that their time at the home has been good, and that staff have helped and supported them to become the person they now are, and to achieve their goal.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has had a mixed start to their time living at the home. While their move to the home was well planned, staff have quickly identified that their risks in the community were greater than initially known and going missing from home is a significant risk. Staff are professionally curious about the missing incidents and are vigilant about sharing information with the local authority and police. Managers have taken the risks very seriously and have implemented increased staffing as a safeguarding measure.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s plans provide staff with clear guidance about what action to take to keep children safe. As a result, staff understand children’s risks. They follow children’s plans and ensure that they are kept under review and current. Managers and staff have implemented thoughtful and well-planned approaches to children’s care. For example, staff encourage children to use mindfulness resources and therapeutic colouring to reduce incidents of children harming themselves.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a core staff team at the home, which is currently supported by staff on secondment from other homes. The manager takes clear action to address any concerns with staff practice or performance. The manager is effective in their oversight at the home and uses a range of approaches, including audits, supervision meetings and talking to staff and children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have training in a broad range of topics, this is being expanded to provide higher quality and more in-person training opportunities. This helps staff to develop their knowledge and skills in caring for children. However, staff are not trained in therapeutic approaches as stated in the home’s statement of purpose. Managers are taking action to address this and to review the role of the commissioned therapeutic service. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724906 3 The manager has responded to and met the requirements made at the last inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724906 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/10/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724906 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans. The statement of purpose is an important document in the process of care planning as it sets out the needs of children the home is set up and equipped to care for. The skills of the staff team must reflect the home’s statement of purpose. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724906 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Focus Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit A4, Dewsbury Road, Fenton Industrial Estate, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 2TE

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Inspector

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724906 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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