Children's home run by Young Foundations Limited in Wirral

Inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 1 SC068410 Registered provider: Young Foundations Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to six children with mental health difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 3 November 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

A monitoring visit took place on 20 November 2024 following the sudden and unexpected death of a child while away from the home. Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, but actions taken by the setting in response to what happened were considered at the monitoring visit. No concerns were identified.

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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: 7 November 2023

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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: SC068410 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/11/2023 Full Good 13/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. One of the children shared their experiences of living at the home with the inspector, which overall were positive. Since the monitoring visit in November 2024 two children have moved from the home. One child’s move was planned in line with their care plans and wishes. Another child moved from the home as they found it difficult to settle. The manager worked with professionals to identify a new home for the child and helped them to prepare for the move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are welcomed into the home and have positive experiences of moving in. To help them prepare for their move, children are given information about the home and meet some of the staff who will be caring for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children experience stability, and all receive good consistent care. This helps them to make progress from their starting points. One child moved on from the home earlier than expected. The registered manager and staff worked hard to support the child to move on in a planned way and helped the child to understand the reasons why she had to move on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in a range of activities that they enjoy. One child recently enjoyed a helicopter experience. Another child, who prefers to spend time at home, enjoys taking part in arts and craft activities. She has recently made some paper flowers that are displayed in the lounge.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to understand how to raise a complaint. One child has done so on three occasions. Each complaint is taken seriously. Information is shared with the child’s social worker and concerns investigated. The outcome of the complaint is discussed with the child. A considered response to complaints helps children to feel listened to and know that their feedback is valued and acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children have made progress with their learning. One child who previously was not attending education now attends school regularly and is working towards a qualification linked to their career aspirations. When there are barriers to a child’s learning, staff work well with professionals, keep plans under review and support children’s learning at home until they can return to school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s emotional well-being is promoted. They access support from a clinical psychologist who is commissioned by the provider. Other external specialist health services are sourced to help children to process their experiences of grief and loss. Staff also receive regular clinical guidance and support. This enables them to understand more about, and reflect on, how children’s life experiences influence their emotions and behaviours. This helps staff to plan children’s care effectively and respond to their needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 4 Staff ensure that children are registered with local health services and access these when needed. Routine and planned health appointments are attended by children. New medication is stored safely, administered as prescribed and recorded appropriately.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s individuality and unique qualities are celebrated by staff. Children speak to staff about their identity and explore their thoughts and feelings about their sexuality and gender. This helps children’s development, their understanding of themselves and gives them confidence in who they are.

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

Children are safe and well cared for by staff. Children’s behaviours and risks are understood by staff. Children’s written plans provide staff with effective guidance that is individual to each child. Staff implement the guidance and use their skills and experience to manage and reduce risks to children.

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

It is rare that children go missing from home. Staff respond well when children do. They search for the child and work well with relevant professionals. Staff welcome the child home and ensure that additional support is available to them. The registered manager reviews incidents and identifies additional measures to prevent recurrence. This good practice promotes children’s safety and welfare.

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

All staff are trained to know how to respond to self-harm incidents, including administering first aid. This helps staff to identify and respond well to children who hurt themselves and try to mitigate the risk of this happening.

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

Children respond well to praise, and this helps to promote positive behaviours. Children’s achievements are recognised and celebrated. Children are supported by staff to reflect on behaviours that are not considered to be acceptable and given alternative strategies for managing their emotions that led to the behaviour. When there is a natural consequence, staff use this to reinforce messages about behaviours that are not acceptable. Physical intervention has not been used since the last full inspection.

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

The registered manager has effective systems in place for recruiting new staff. This reduces the risk of children being cared for by unsuitable individuals.

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

The home is designed, furnished and maintained well. Measures implemented to reduce environmental risks do not detract from it feeling homely. Soft furnishings, plants, pictures and ornaments make rooms welcoming spaces children enjoy spending time in.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands the home’s strengths. She is ambitious and has high expectations for children. There are effective monitoring systems in place that help her to understand children’s experiences and progress. Information gathered through the manager’s monitoring and oversight is used to inform and develop practice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 5 Staff feel supported by the registered manager and other managers in the home and organisation. They benefit from reflective sessions in regular supervision, team meetings and appraisals. Staff now take part in a daily debrief at the end of each day. These meetings provide staff with the opportunity to review the care children receive and implement learning from practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most staff hold a relevant qualification for caring for children in a residential setting. Other staff are working towards obtaining this qualification in timescales. All staff complete training to help them to fulfil their role and meet the individual needs of children. Staff with less experience work alongside experienced staff. This supports their development and ensures that care is delivered in line with the home statement of purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Communication between the registered manager and external professionals is good. The registered manager works well with those people who are important to the children, including professionals and family members. When there are differences of opinion on how best to support a child, these are shared with relevant people and support plans are agreed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were raised following this inspection.

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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: SC068410 6

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Young Foundations Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Alexander House, Highfield Park, Llandrynog, Denbighshire, Wales LL16 4LU

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Inspector

Helen Dunn, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC068410 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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