Children's home run by Core Children Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2731026 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 children’s home is operated by a private company. It was registered in August 2023 and provides care for up to two children who have had adverse childhood experiences. There was one child living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since August 2023 and holds a leadership and management qualification at level 5.

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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 outstanding

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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: 23 January 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: 2731026 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2731026 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has been welcomed into the home and one child has moved out. These transitions are managed sensitively and have been a positive experience for children. One child who moved out of the home was able to reflect on their experience and shared this with staff, thanking them for all their support and guidance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff have high aspirations for children. Children receive warm, consistent and nurturing care from staff who acknowledge their strengths. As a result, children have made significant progress from their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living in the home was spoken with and shared their experiences. They said that staff were nice and they felt safe. This creates a comfortable environment, where the child feels able to talk to staff about any worries they might have.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family members are welcomed into the home and activities are arranged for them to enjoy together. The child recently enjoyed a shopping trip with a family member. These positive experiences help the child to maintain relationships with people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are lots of opportunities for children to take part in activities inside and outside of the home. The manager and staff create fun learning opportunities for children. One child took part in a mock ballot and election. This was a fun way of educating the child, ready for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is registered with local health services. Staff promote a healthy lifestyle and they work with other health professionals to support the child’s emotional well-being. This ensures that the child’s health needs are well met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is being supported to re-engage in education. Barriers to learning are professionally challenged by managers. Extra-curricular activities and home learning have been put in place by the manager and staff as an interim measure. This ensures continuity in learning.

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

Managers and staff understand the importance of keeping children safe. They are confident in raising and escalating concerns about children’s welfare. For example, when a child raised a concern about staff, this was taken seriously. Managers share information and work closely with other professionals, ensuring that any concerns are thoroughly investigated. This promotes children’s safety and welfare.

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

Staff understand children’s backgrounds, and this helps them to respond to children’s emotional needs. As a result, children have a sense of belonging and feel understood. Inspection report for children’s home: 2731026 4 There is a culture of openness and trust. Any harmful behaviours displayed by children are managed well by staff. They speak with children to help them develop skills and make positive decisions about keeping themselves safe. This has resulted in the child’s risks reducing.

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

Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Detailed individual support plans are regularly reviewed by the managers. However, on one occasion a lapse of staff supervision led to one child going missing from the home, and the child alleged that a serious incident occurred in the community. The incident happened some months ago and managers have reflected with staff and the child, and learning has been undertaken.

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

Managers work closely with other professionals to help keep children safe. They take part in local police meetings; this ensures that they have the most up-to-date information about the local community and any risks which may impact children’s safety.

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

Safer recruitment processes are effective. New staff undergo a comprehensive and supportive induction programme. This ensures that children are cared for by suitable individuals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a confident and inspirational leader. She is supported by an experienced trainee manager. Together, they make a highly effective management team and use their strengths, ensuring that there is excellent oversight of the quality of care children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are held in exceptionally high regard by staff, children and external professionals. One staff member said, ‘They are amazing; they are dedicated and driven.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are exceptional advocates for children. They challenge restrictions placed on children through deprivation of liberty orders and advocate for these restrictions to be reduced as soon as possible. One social worker said, ‘They are really trying to promote [child’s name] rights; they are great advocates.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A priority for the managers and staff is understanding the needs, wishes and feelings of children. For example, when children’s meetings take place, the managers ensure that they respond to any requests. This helps children to feel listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have access to a wide range of mandatory and additional training. Training is specific to the needs of the children living in the home. For example, the managers have delivered training on cognitive assessments and specific health needs. This demonstrates that the managers and staff develop their knowledge and skills to help them in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have excellent monitoring and reviewing systems to consistently drive improvements. These systems help them to understand the home’s strengths and areas Inspection report for children’s home: 2731026 5 for improvement. This has strengthened the support children receive and their experience of living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Regular, effective supervision takes place with staff. This supports them to reflect on their practice and identify any areas for development. Additionally, monthly team meetings are informative and are used to have open discussions about the children and improve staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There were no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2731026 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: 2731026 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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Inspector

Kirsty Truesdale, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2731026 8 regulates 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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