Children's home run by Homes2Inspire Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2678551 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a provider owned by a national charity. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 25 September 2023

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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: 2678551 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/09/2023 Full Good 18/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2678551 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has been successfully supported to return to the care of their family. At the time of this inspection, there were two children living in the home. The inspector met with both of them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are settled and well cared for. This is the longest time both children have been living at the same home since they became looked-after children. Staff speak about children with warmth, empathy and nurture.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child is being helped to prepare for adulthood. Despite the child finding this challenging at times, they are making some progress in this area of their life. Staff encourage opportunities for the child to increase their skills in budgeting, cooking, cleaning and taking care of their health. A social worker said that staff have collaborated well with them in searching for a new home for the child. They said staff have strongly advocated for the child’s welfare by sharing areas of strength and detailed information about the child’s care needs to support a well-planned move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s needs very well. Children’s strong relationships with staff mean they can openly share their views and be listened to. Staff sensitively adapt their care in response to children’s preferences. For example, staff have introduced lighting in the home that is better suited to the children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff celebrate and support diversity, identity, and culture with children. This brings about a sense of acceptance and belonging for children in the home. One child has been supported to buy a wig and is visiting a specialist hair salon. Children enjoy learning about different cultures. They have recently celebrated the Chinese New Year and sampled Scottish-themed meals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children have suitable education arrangements and make educational progress from their starting points. When children need an improved educational offer, the manager successfully challenges professionals. For example, the manager made a complaint when a child’s educational package ended. As a result, this was quickly reinstated. One child has achieved vocational certificates in hair and beauty and is being helped to prepare to sit exams.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff model healthy living. They encourage a daily structure that includes good sleep and hygiene routines. Children are encouraged to take part in choosing and preparing meals and often do. They enjoy activities that include going out for a drive, singing, baking and drama. This helps children improve their well-being and sense of achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide good support for children to spend time with their families. One child is starting to have overnight stays with their sister and brother. Another child spends Inspection report for children’s home: 2678551 4 regular time with their grandparent as well as enjoying fun activities with their aunt. Children greatly value the support provided to them to maintain these important family connections.

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

Children’s plans are clear, up to date and individualised. Staff compile plans in a manner that demonstrates their strong understanding and knowledge of each child’s needs. Clear strategies are in place to support each child, which are followed by staff to reduce risks.

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

Children sometimes self-harm when they are distressed. They receive consistent, well- coordinated support from staff on these occasions. Staff are curious about the reasons behind children’s self-harm. Children are supported to develop positive coping strategies and to talk about how they feel. When needed, managers have referred children to external specialist health agencies to help improve their well-being.

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

Staff have good knowledge and understanding about the risks associated with children being online. Staff help children to learn about their personal safety. Staff complete checks in accordance with children’s individualised plans. This helps children to stay safer.

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

When children have made disclosures in relation to past trauma, staff have responded appropriately and escalated these concerns to the relevant professionals.

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

Monitoring devices including door alarms and dashboard cameras that record sound are used by staff in the home. Their use appears proportionate, and children are aware of these measures. However, there is no written consent from the placing authority for the use of these devices with children.

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

Staff use consequences for children that they consider to be natural. However, one child is not allowed access to their phone or electronic devices if they do not engage in their education. The child, social worker and parent are aware of this approach, and it is recorded in the child’s plan. However, there is a lack of documented review by the manager to provide assurances that these measures are consistent, proportionate and effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is registered with Ofsted and has achieved their level 5 qualification. The manager is supported by a competent deputy manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Any concerns regarding staff’s practice have been handled quickly and appropriately. Leaders and managers seek external oversight when this is necessary. Managers investigate concerns and ensure that children’s safety and well-being are priorities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2678551 5 Leaders and managers have a comprehensive development plan that evidences the progression made in the support provided to children in the home. All requirements raised from the last inspection have been addressed. The responsible individual offers high levels of support, analysis and challenge, which are well received by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high expectations of staff and has implemented several initiatives to monitor the quality of care. This includes comprehensive weekly and monthly auditing and quizzes to explore staff’s knowledge of good practice and relevant legislation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, well-structured supervisions from the manager. The manager uses scenario-based learning for staff to reflect the safeguarding culture in the home. Staff say they feel well supported by managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is enthusiastic about furthering staff’s continuous professional development. Staff receive a wide range of training that equips them well to meet the individual needs of children. Staff’s knowledge and skills gained from training are embedded through constructive staff meetings. External trainers often attend these meetings to support staff to reflect on their learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, several members of staff have moved on, and new staff have come to work in the home. Leaders and managers have ensured that robust safer recruitment procedures have been followed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works hard to lead care provided to children that mirrors any other family home as much as possible. The manager challenges the stigma that can be experienced by children in care. This is evident in the look and feel of the home, in how language is used and in how children’s records are written. Inspection report for children’s home: 2678551 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they gain written consent from children’s placing authorities for the use of any monitoring or surveillance devices in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.16)  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair. In particular, ensure that all consequences are recorded and reviewed to assess their effectiveness. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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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: 2678551 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lumonics House Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1TQ

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Inspector

Carrie Twinn, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2678551 8 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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