Children's home run by Heartwood Weston Hills Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2781365 1 Registered provider: Heartwood Weston Hills Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to four children who experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report children’s home: 2781365 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff and managers ensure that the home is extremely well presented. The home is in a good state of repair. As well as the communal areas, children have space where they can spend time alone should they wish. Photos of children are visible in communal areas. This results in a warm and welcoming home for the children to live in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know what approach to use with each child. For instance, one of the children responds well when having difficult conversations, while another requires a more cautious approach to ensure that they can cope with the attention of staff. The relationships that the children have with each other and with staff are good. For one child, this means that they were supported to settle in the home in a short space of time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers work closely with children’s families and other adults involved in the child’s life. Communication between staff, parents and professionals is good. Staff ensure that, whenever possible, children’s families remain involved in their child’s life. One parent said that the manager and staff, ‘go above and beyond’ for their child. The parent said, ‘They stay in constant contact with me, so I know how [name of child] is doing on a daily basis, and they are always so welcoming and warm when we visit. I couldn’t ask for better care.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The arrangements for one child moving into the home was positive. Due to the distance, the child was able to have a virtual meeting with the manager and see the home. The manager also visited the child, and was supported to purchase items for their bedroom to ensure that their room would be comfortable for them. These measures assist and support a smooth transition process. When the move took place, the child had the reassurances they needed to settle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Regular individual chats between staff and children support children to speak to staff openly about their well-being. Staff use fresh ideas and creative approaches to keep children engaged. This helps children to feel listened to and supports their relationships with staff.

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

Children have built extremely secure attachments with staff in a short period of time. Staff have a calm and relaxed approach with the children. Over time, a family and homely environment has been established. This is very positive for the children. It has allowed them to feel safe and protected in their home. The children know that the staff care for them and that there are adults who can be trusted.

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

Children’s risk management plans set out the risks and vulnerabilities for the child and the actions that staff should take to keep them safer. Staff have a detailed Inspection report children’s home: 2781365 3 understanding of these plans, and they are kept consistently under review. The managers and staff work collaboratively with external professional agencies so that risks for children are reviewed in a more holistic context. Should staff be concerned for children, they act immediately to keep children safe. The manager and staff anticipate that children will take risks. They are proactive and take actions designed to ensure that risks are minimised.

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

Staff help and support children with specific issues that are affecting them, such self- harming behaviour, meeting their health needs and their personal safety. Staff support children’s understanding and try to educate and help children to have an increased awareness of their needs. Child-friendly discussions are used to reassure children.

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

Staff know the children so well that holding children is rarely used. However, when it is used, it is always proportionate and a last resort to ensure children’s safety. Detailed recording of such incidents, thorough debriefs with staff and children, and robust management oversight help staff and children reflect on what has happened. This ensures that practice improves, remains safe and is used appropriately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is ambitious for the children and the home. She is committed to providing a home for children where they can develop and flourish. Together with the staff, she has successfully created a family home. The staff share her aspirations and children feel loved and cared for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is very well supported by an experienced responsible individual. She visits the home regularly and has made strong relationships with staff and children. The manager feels supported and valued by senior management. This ensures that she has the help and guidance to deliver good care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s monitoring and oversight of the home is exceptional, she has a robust system in place to maintain effective oversight of the home and staff practice. She has ensured that she monitors children’s documents and adds comments on all documents for further improvement. This also includes monthly self-assessment reports and a quality improvement plan. This is supported by monthly checks, which are monitored by the responsible individual. This helps to ensure that staffs’ practice remains at a consistently high standard and identifies any additional support that children need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings are held regularly and are productive. The current needs of children are discussed in detail. Staff feel able to contribute to the meetings. There is a standing agenda item regarding safeguarding, learning and development. This enhances communication between staff and managers and improves staff development, particularly in relation to safeguarding practice. Inspection report children’s home: 2781365 4

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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: 2781365 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Heartwood Weston Hills Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 416 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex IG3 9JX

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Inspector

Corline Parker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2781365 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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