Children's Home run by Flourish (Gloucestershire) Limited in Worcestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2742383 1 Registered provider: Flourish Gloucestershire Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to three children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2024.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 13 February 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2742383 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/02/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2742383 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff interactions with children are kind and caring and they have built positive relationships with them. Children enjoy spending time with staff and feel relaxed and comfortable in their presence.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children attend regular education because staff have supported children to engage with school and college. One child who did not attend school for over a year now has good attendance and staff have helped them to develop positive self-esteem and confidence.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals say that staff have built secure relationships with children, so they feel settled in the home. Staff support children to engage in activities and they read to children, which helps develop their learning. Education professionals say that staff attend school meetings and communicate regularly with them. Furthermore, the home has received compliments and positive feedback from parents and professionals.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy going away on summer holidays and day trips out with staff, and staff encourage them to engage in hobbies, such as swimming and trampolining. Staff promote family relationships, so they develop positively for children, and they spend time with people who are important to them.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are given clear routines and boundaries, so they know what to expect. All children have a regular, structured daily routine and staff support them with positive bedtimes.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into the home, they receive a guide that is clear to understand, which helps them prepare for the move. Staff meet with children before they move in and invite them to visit the home for tea, so they can meet other children. This helps alleviate any anxiety and so children feel welcome.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move on from the home, the registered manager ensures that there is a robust transition plan. One child has recently returned to their parents’ care. This was with the help of staff, who ensured that the move was child centred.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is well presented, welcoming and cosy. There are soft furnishings and pictures on the wall, so it feels homely for children. Children benefit from large bedrooms with double beds, and bedrooms are personalised in line with children’s interests.

p.3

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

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding processes and work closely with children to help them keep safe. Detailed documents show thorough consideration of Inspection report for children’s home: 2742383 4 children’s needs and behaviours and identify support. This helps staff understand how to respond to potential risks. Strategies are clear so staff keep up to date and informed.

p.3

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

Staff help children understand a range of topics. For example, they have supported children with social media, healthy relationships and road safety. Staff use child-friendly language and a nurturing approach so that children feel comfortable and can talk within a safe environment.

p.4

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

Children have developed independence skills to prepare them for the transition into young adulthood and the community. One child said that he can cook his own dinner, use a washing machine and make important phone calls.

p.4

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

Children have access to a range of devices so there are regular checks and robust filtering systems in place. Staff have supported older children to understand online safety, so they know how to keep themselves safe online. One child said that he understands the risks and what to do.

p.4

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

If children make complaints, leaders and managers take these seriously and spend time with children so they feel listened to. Children are involved and supported, so they understand outcomes.

p.4

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

Leaders and managers take appropriate and immediate action to address allegations against staff. Leaders and managers share information with relevant external agencies and follow protocols in the best interests of children.

p.4

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

Restraint is rarely used, as staff manage behaviours effectively. However, when used, clear records show it is necessary and proportionate to keep children safe and there is good management oversight.

p.4

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

Staff complete health and safety checks in line with regulations to ensure that the home is safe for children. The location assessment provides an in-depth overview of resources and services in the area, with risks identified and mitigated. They consult with external professionals to help staff fully understand and consider location concerns from an external perspective.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager strives for children to experience a loving and nurturing home environment that helps them flourish. Staff spend time with children building positive relationships and trust, so they have stability and security within their home. Leaders and managers are fully committed to staff and recognise individual skills and experience, but also promote effective training and learning opportunities, so staff can upskill and widen their expertise. Inspection report for children’s home: 2742383 5 The registered manager is an excellent advocate for children and works hard to ensure that professionals adhere to their responsibilities and decisions made for children, so they thrive.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff said they feel well supported by leaders and managers. They said the change in manager has had a positive impact on the home and she is approachable, proactive and incredibly supportive. Staff give clear examples of progress for children and understand children’s needs, using a therapeutic and positive parenting approach.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are current staff vacancies, but staff working in the home are happy to cover additional shifts. Occasionally agency staff work in the home, as well as bank staff, but the registered manager ensures that children are looked after by staff they are comfortable with.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Mandatory training is up to date, and staff have also completed specialist training. This helps them to understand how to support specific needs. For example, the registered manager organised ligature and self-harm training. All staff have relevant qualifications and receive regular, purposeful supervision. They have additional team meetings each month with a clinical psychologist, so they can seek advice and guidance to ensure that they provide children a high standard of care.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have comprehensive oversight and knowledge of the home. They complete an internal quality assurance audit each month, so they can evaluate all aspects of children’s support needs.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Safer recruitment checks are robust and follow practice guidelines to ensure all staff are suitable and safe to work with children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2742383 6

p.5

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: 2742383 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Flourish Gloucestershire Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 27 Westend Office Suites, Westend, Stonehouse GL10 3FA

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Samantha Summers

p.7

Inspector

Emma Fryer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2742383 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8