Children's home run by Warwickshire County Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 1 Registered provider: Warwickshire County Council

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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 the local authority and provides care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since the home opened in March 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/08/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. Four children have moved out of the home and five children have moved in since the last inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers work closely with other professionals to support children returning home to family wherever possible. Staff and managers build effective relationships with children’s families and, where appropriate, families have been involved in the day-to-day care of children. This provides consistency for children and strengthens these important relationships. When children have returned home to family, support has remained in place from staff and managers, and some children have maintained these relationships since leaving the home. As a result of the work that has been completed with children and their families, three children have returned home since the last inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build strong and nurturing relationships with children. They take the time to understand each child’s needs and interests, and as a result, they know the children well. A key strength is how staff engage in laughter and play with children, providing quality time with them through games and shared activities. Children show warmth and affection to staff, and this is reciprocated.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are doing well with their education plans. Staff support them to attend school. When children are not in full-time education, staff ensure that there are plans to provide structure and encourage children’s learning and development. This helps prepare children to transition back into school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise children’s achievements. When children do well, staff provide appropriate reward and praise. Because of this, children feel encouraged to make good choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to pursue hobbies and interests. Staff work closely with children to identify activities they enjoy, ensuring that they have access to school clubs, sports teams and extracurricular opportunities. As a result, children develop confidence, build friendships and experience a sense of achievement.

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

The manager ensures that there are detailed plans that clearly identify risks for children. These detail actions staff must take to reduce and manage the risks. When incidents occur, plans are reviewed, and learning is identified where possible. Staff have a good understanding of these plans and know the children well. This aids their ability to keep children safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 4 Physical intervention has been used when staff have been unable to deter children from unsafe behaviour. When physical intervention has been used, it has been a last resort. Staff undertake follow-up work with children to help them understand their behaviour. Managers have a thorough discussion with staff after incidents and explore if there were areas for improvement in their practice. This thorough oversight improves the quality of care to children.

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

When children move into the home, they receive clear information about the complaints process. Children can access advocacy support if they choose. When children have made a complaint, this has been listened to and taken seriously. Managers check that children are satisfied with the outcome of their complaint and provide them with a written response. This creates an environment where children feel supported and able to raise concerns if needed.

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

Some children have been missing from home. The manager has provided clear plans of what action staff should take. When incidents have occurred, staff make good attempts to contact children as well as their friends and family. The manager recognises the importance of children being able to speak with an independent person after they have been missing and has provided effective challenge when this has not happened. This strengthens the home’s ability to keep children safe from harm.

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

Leaders and managers have taken swift action when allegations have been made to ensure that these are managed in line with safeguarding procedures. Staff understand their responsibilities, and appropriate referrals are made when necessary. This helps to ensure that children are kept safe and shows them that if they raise concerns, these are taken seriously.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager was not present during the inspection due to a period of absence. The responsible individual has had oversight of the home in her absence. Both leaders are experienced and knowledgeable of the children and the quality of the care provided. Feedback about the home was unanimously positive. One parent said, ‘Staff are excellent.’ Staff were also positive about the support they receive from leaders and say that the home is a lovely place to work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff receive regular supervision. This provides staff with a structured space to reflect on their work and any difficulties they may have. Leaders have an open-door policy, and this allows staff to raise issues as and when they occur. There are also effective systems in place to share any new information with the team. This approach enables consistency in the care provided to children and promotes a reflective and resilient staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children move into the home in a planned way. Managers undertake careful consideration of children’s needs and assess their suitability for the home in advance of any moves. This includes visits and introductions to staff and other children. The Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 5 manager ensures that there is a strong focus on the impact of children moving in on the existing children living at the home. One social worker said, ‘I was impressed with the transition plan and how thorough they were.’ Children benefit from this well- planned transition.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a varied training package. This includes reflective support and guidance from psychologists, which helps staff understand and respond effectively to children’s emotional and well-being needs. As a result, staff feel confident and well equipped to meet these needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations have been made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 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: 2716136 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Warwickshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Shire Hall, Warwick CV34 4RL

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Inspector

Chrisoula Contoyianni, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 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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Inspector

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