Children's Home run by Core Children Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 1 Registered provider: Core Children Ltd

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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 a private organisation. The home provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties. The home was registered in July 2022.

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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: 21 February 2024

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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: 2682113 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/02/2024 Full Good 28/02/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. Since the last inspection, no children have moved out and no children had moved in. The child living in the home is settled and has built secure relationships with the adults who look after them. The child’s day-to-day needs are well understood by staff. Clear and consistent boundaries support the child to feel safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is comfortable and homely. There is space for the child to relax and enjoy their hobbies and interests. The child’s suggestions for the decoration and furnishing of the home have been acted on by staff. This has led to the child developing a strong sense of belonging and permanence in the home. The child’s wish to have a pet cat has been embraced by staff, and they support the child to take care of it. Staff have supported the child to embrace their interest in making music by creating a music room.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are attuned to the child’s preferred methods of communication. Adhering to this has contributed to strengthening their relationship with the child. Staff spend time with the child and are proactive in offering a range of positive experiences and participating in these with him. This has included supporting the child to learn to play golf and create a space to make music.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is attending an educational provision regularly and making some excellent progress considering their starting point. Staff are ambitious for the child and support them to do well in their education. Communication between staff and the school is effective. The child’s achievements are celebrated.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most of the child’s health needs are identified and addressed in a timely manner. Staff support the child to be in good health and are creative about how they do this, encouraging engagement with the gym and a healthy meal delivery service. Staff develop effective relationships with health professionals to promote the child’s good health. When the child is reluctant to engage with health services, staff are patient and accepting, while also being consistent in their encouragement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to spend time with people who are important to them. They work positively and proactively with parents and promote meaningful and safe contact arrangements. When risks are identified, staff undertake thorough risk assessments and follow procedures to keep the child safe. Staff work closely with other agencies to safeguard the child. The child is supported to develop their independence in accordance with their individual needs, while also protecting them from being in unsafe situations or with unsuitable people. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 4

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

The risks associated with the child are understood by staff. Staff take appropriate steps to escalate concerns. They work closely with relevant professionals to coordinate plans that are based on the child’s individual needs. Staff are proactive in updating assessments to incorporate new information and vulnerabilities. There is evidence that the risks to the child have reduced and are managed effectively.

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

The child receives support to manage their behaviour and feelings safely. They are treated with dignity and respect. There has been no use of physical restraint since the last inspection. Positive behaviour is praised and consistently promoted by staff. For example, when the child has maintained good attendance at school, they have been rewarded with a fun activity of their choice.

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

Staff help the child through direct work to learn about keeping themselves safe. This includes sensitive topics such as relationships, substance misuse and social media. Staff initiate discussions frequently, yet in a casual manner, to encourage the child to feel relaxed and engage.

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

Investigations into allegations have mostly been managed competently. However, on one occasion, the manager did not inform Ofsted of a notifiable event in line with regulation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers know the home’s strengths and areas of development well. They are enthusiastic about staff development and have high aspirations for their team. Staff are happy working at the home and feel supported in their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has ensured that staff receive appropriate training for their role, and this is specific to the needs of the child. However, on more than one occasion, learning and manager’s direction, specific to professional conduct, have not been implemented in practice. During the inspection, an internal investigation was taking place following a referral to the local authority designated officer. The manager acts promptly to address any performance issues when staff practice is not in line with expectations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good working relationships with partner agencies. The manager sustains a high level of communication with the local authority to effect good-quality planning and information-sharing. When the child has been reluctant to engage with their social worker, the manager has used their initiative to support this relationship.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is sufficiently staffed. There have been some changes in staff, but there is a consistent team, and external workers are rarely needed. Staff receive regular supervision from suitably qualified senior staff. This covers a range of topics and promotes well-being. Staff are appraised annually and given opportunities to develop Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 5 their career. The manager and team are focused on giving the child good experiences and preparing them for their future. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 6

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Statutory requirements

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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 5 March 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures for the benefit of the child in the home’s care. Everyone working at the home must understand their roles and responsibilities and what they are authorised to decide on their own initiative. In particular, staff should work in line with the organisation’s expectations around conduct and professional boundaries. Furthermore, the registered manager should ensure that monitoring systems used are accurate and seek feedback from the child and other relevant people on the quality of care being provided. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

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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: 2682113 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Glades, Festival Way, Festival Park, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST1 5SQ

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Inspectors

Becky Rutter, Social Care Inspector Helen Dunn, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2682113 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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