Children's Home run by The Place Young People’s Company in Leicestershire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565421 1 Registered provider: The Place Young People’s Company

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have emotional and social difficulties. Although there is a registered manager in post, they are currently not managing the home. The home is being led by an interim manager who intends to apply to become the new registered manager of the home.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. All children were consulted as part of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565421 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the previous inspection, managers and leaders have met the four requirements and two recommendations set. Practice has improved and this has had a very positive impact on children’s experiences and progress.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the previous inspection, the home was experiencing a very unsettled period. The competing and complex needs of children, alongside instability in the workforce, were impacting negatively on children’s experiences. A new management team has been reflective and learned from this period. Two children have moved on. The staff team is now stable. In recent months, children have become very settled. They are happy. They are making good progress and are enjoying positive relationships with a now consistent staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

A new child moved into the home immediately before this inspection. This was following very careful consideration of the compatibility of this child with the children already living in the home, and consideration of their views. As a result of a well- planned transition into the home, the new child has felt welcomed, which is helping them to settle.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff proactively support children to engage with education and achieve. One child has done extremely well in their recent mock examinations. Managers have been strong advocates for another child by challenging a school when they decided to exclude them from the school. In the interim, staff are providing the child with structured educational activities in preparation for a return to school.

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Findings from the inspection

Children regularly access universal health services. Children who need it, access specialist therapeutic support. This, as well as the staff receiving regular clinical group supervision, is helping to ensure that staff meet children’s physical and emotional health needs well.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have individual risk assessments, support and placement plans. Staff regularly update these plans collaboratively with children. Staff understand and implement these plans. This helps to ensure that children have established routines and consistent responses to their individual needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff undertake a range of focused discussions with children, which correlates with their individual plans and needs. This is helping children to better understand risks and make informed decisions. As a result, risks for children have been reducing and they are becoming safer.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents of children going missing have reduced since the previous inspection. There has only been one occasion when two children left the home at night without Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565421 3 staff authorisation. Staff responses were prompt, with the children being located and returned home within 10 minutes. In response to this incident, staff updated children’s risk assessments and undertook direct discussions with them. There have been no further incidents of children going missing since.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents of staff needing to physically restrain children have become infrequent. When they do occur, the actions of staff are proportionate to safeguard children or others. Following staff receiving training in relation to recording practices, the recording of incidents is now clear and detailed. Managers undertake debriefs with children and staff following any incidents, which are meaningful and reflective. This helps to ensure that practice in this area remains effective and impactful.

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Findings from the inspection

Staffing has stabilised since the previous inspection. Leaders have recruited a new manager and new staff, and a new deputy manager has transferred from another of the company’s homes. The staff are very well supported by the new manager and deputy managers. Morale in the home has significantly improved. A child said how pleased they were that agency staff no longer work in the home. They explained, ‘The home has changed; it now has order, with fair and clear rules and boundaries.’

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Findings from the inspection

Staff now receive regular one-to-one supervision that is reflective and fully explores the needs of each child. This, regular team meetings, regular clinical group supervisions, and the training that staff have completed are helping staff to understand and consistently meet children’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The new management team has strengthened monitoring systems. They undertake more-frequent audits, which are giving them increased insight into the quality and impact of care that children receive. Leaders and managers understand their strengths and areas that they wish to further develop. For example, the interim manager is in the process of developing systems to increase her oversight of staff development and training. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565421 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/11/2023 Full Good 22/02/2023 Full Good 01/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565421 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Place Young People’s Company

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Lymevale Court, Lyme Drive, Parklands, Stoke- on-Trent ST4 6NW

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Inspector

Rachel Griffiths, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565421 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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