Children's Home run by Active Care Organisation Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report children's home: 2683082 1 Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited

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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 organisation. It provides care for up to two children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home. At the time of this inspection, there was one child living at the home. The child was seen and spoken to by the inspector.

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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: 13 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 children's home: 2683082 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/02/2024 Full Good 19/09/2023 Full Inadequate 28/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2683082 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives individualised and bespoke care. The home is personalised and reflects the child’s interests. For example, the child’s bedroom décor expresses their love for a particular football team. There are also photos of the child around the home and a football goal and basketball post in the garden. This helps the child to have a real sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has a genuine say in their day-to-day care. Their wishes and feelings are regularly sought, and the child plays an active role in their care plan. The child also has access to an advocate, giving them an opportunity to raise concerns with someone independent to the home. This helps the child feel heard and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children do well in education considering their starting points. For example, they have supported the child to return to school after a long period of home tuition. Transition plans were child-centred and well considered, helping the child to settle quickly. Staff remain with the child at school to support them in the classroom. This has helped the child to remain in education and make considerable progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in good health. Staff encourage the child to live a healthy and active lifestyle. For example, the child helps with healthy meal planning, shopping and cooking. The child is also supported to access a range of activities, such as rock climbing, swimming and cycling. The child’s mental and emotional health is also well supported. Staff have regular discussions with the child about their feelings and emotions. The child also receives specialist weekly support from the home’s clinical psychologist. As a result, the child’s overall health and wellbeing improve.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the child to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. The child spends time with family in the home and out in the community. Family time is well planned and considered, ensuring it is positive and meaningful. This helps to reduce the child’s feelings of loss and rejection.

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

Staff know the child well and understand the risks the child can be exposed to. Safety plans are created in collaboration with the child and other professionals, such as the police and social workers. Risks are regularly reviewed, and plans are promptly updated, ensuring staff have up-to-date information and know how to respond.

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

Staff are competent in their role. They respond effectively to behaviours that are difficult to manage, such as physical aggression. Staff are trained in a trauma-informed approach to care, enabling staff to implement firm boundaries with empathy and understanding. The local police community support officer said, ‘the way they deescalate with [child] is brilliant’. Inspection report children's home: 2683082 4 On occasions, staff use physical restraint to keep the child and others safe. The least force and restriction are used. Children and staff are spoken to after each incident. The manager has effective oversight of these and looks for ways to reduce the use of physical restraints.

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

The manager and staff work in partnership with other agencies, such as the police, to strengthen safeguarding practice. The manager keeps the police updated with pertinent information. The local police community support officer visits the home regularly and spends time with the child. This helps the child to develop a more positive and trusting relationship with the police.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is warm and nurturing. She sets high expectations for staff, and they admire her leadership. There is a stable staff team who enjoy working at the home and feel well supported and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training in relation to the child’s specific needs such as deprivation of liberty and autism spectrum disorder. Staff are further supported by the home’s clinical psychologist who provides monthly reflective supervisions and consultations. This helps to upskill staff and promotes their wellbeing and resilience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective oversight and quality assurance systems in place. She knows what is happening in the home daily. In-depth internal and external audits and reviews are undertaken; any shortfalls are promptly addressed, and findings are used to inform practice. Feedback from the child and external stakeholders is consistently sought and used to improve the service and raise standards of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work effectively with other professionals, such as teachers, social workers, therapists and the police. The manager communicates well with others and is a strong advocate for the child. She ensures decisions made are in the best interests of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. This includes important topics such as the care of children and safeguarding. Staff are encouraged to have reflective discussions, helping them to develop their practice and supporting their overall wellbeing. Inspection report children's home: 2683082 5

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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 children's home: 2683082 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Hazlewoods, Windsor House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham GL50 3AT

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Inspector

Emma Dacres, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: 2683082 7 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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