Children's home run by Ar Curam Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2731332 1 Registered provider: Ar Curam 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 offers short- and long-term care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. This includes children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this 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 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: 20 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 for children’s home: 2731332 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2731332 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spoke to both children living in the home during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are welcomed into the home following a planned introduction. Staff work with professionals, the children’s families and the children to ensure that plans meet children’s individual needs. Staff go to great lengths to arrange visits that allow children to meet those who they will live with. When children have additional anxieties, staff seek support from others who know the child well. This support helps children to feel safe and develop relationships before they move into their new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children build trusting relationships with those caring for them. Staff regularly have key- work discussions with children about things that are important in their lives. Children say that they feel able to talk to the staff, and staff understand how to communicate effectively with each child. For example, one child likes to draw and write down their feelings. This helps children to discuss how they are feeling and share their worries or concerns.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide effective support to children so that they can maintain their relationships with families and friends. Staff communicate well with children’s families and friends to help children maintain positive relationships. One parent said that they now feel involved in their child’s life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health and emotional well-being are a priority for staff. The children are registered with local dentists, doctors and opticians. When children need emotional support, staff make referrals to external professional services. One professional said, ‘Staff are always thinking of ways to support [name of child] with their emotional health.’ This means that children receive timely support that is tailored to their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Not all children are attending school. When children are not in school, staff provide them with structured activities that offer alternative learning opportunities. Staff carry out key- work sessions designed to support children to return to education, but this has not been successful for one child. Staff are not working effectively with education professionals to find ways to help the child to overcome their barriers to attending school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff do not always promote social opportunities and activities to allow children to make connections in the local area. When children struggle to participate in activities, staff do not always support them to persevere. This hinders children from making progress with their confidence and social skills.

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

Risk assessments help staff to understand and respond to children’s individual risks. Assessments are up to date and have clear guidance for staff to follow. Children are Inspection report for children’s home: 2731332 4 involved with creating their plan to help them reflect on what helps them to reduce risks. This allows staff to intervene effectively when a child is at risk of harm, which helps children to stay safer.

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

Staff understand what to do when children go missing from home. Staff follow the missing-from-home protocols and actively search for children to help them to return home safely. When children return home, staff are supportive and discuss the children’s worries and help them reflect on their behaviours and better understand risks. There is management oversight of missing-from-home episodes, which helps staff to consider creative ways to reduce risks for children. This well-rounded approach has led to a reduction in missing-from-home episodes for children.

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

Staff understand children’s vulnerabilities and are proactive in working with them around a range of subjects relevant to their individual risks. Staff escalate their concerns about children’s welfare to the necessary services in a timely manner. This ensures that children receive the support they need and that professionals work together effectively. Children are involved in reviewing their plans and identifying how they want staff to respond. This helps staff to safeguard children.

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

Physical intervention is rarely used to support children’s behaviour. Staff are trained to support children and hold them safely. Records are clear and identify the therapeutic approach used by staff to de-escalate situations. Children are given the opportunity to reflect on the incident and receive emotional support after they have been held.

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

The manager carries out an investigation when allegations are made against staff. This is followed up by the staff working with multi-agency professionals to give the child an opportunity to speak to an independent person. The children’s needs are carefully considered, and restorative work takes place between the staff and the child. This helps children to feel listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is ambitious for the children and well respected by staff and professionals, who all speak highly of her. Feedback from professionals is positive around the supportive and consistent care that children receive from staff. This helps to embed a nurturing culture in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, reflective supervision. Training is provided to the team, which goes beyond the core learning. The manager has sought additional training to meet children’s specific needs. Staff also have regular access to therapeutic advice and support to help them understand the children’s changing needs. This learning culture means that staff continue to acquire and develop the skills that they need to support children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have developed strong working relationships with multi-agency professionals and parents. The staff communicate regularly with parents, social workers and education professionals to make sure that children receive a consistent response to their needs. One professional said, ‘I always have a really good understanding of what is Inspection report for children’s home: 2731332 5 going on.’ Another professional said, ‘We get an update really early, which helps us pre- empt what support they need.’ This helps to improve outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear process for monitoring the quality of care provided. She has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement. There are clear action plans that are followed up effectively in team meetings and supervision sessions with staff. This means that children receive care that meets their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are appropriately vetted before working in the home. All new staff shadow experienced staff before working directly with children. They complete a robust induction plan and probationary period. This helps to make sure that children are cared for by safe adults who have taken the time to understand their needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2731332 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study; and

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(ii)(iii) 27 March 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should seek to identify and provide appropriate opportunities for children to develop themselves in accordance with their wishes and feelings and as part of the home’s plan for their care. Each child’s talents and interests should be understood and nurtured, with children selecting activities based on their personal preferences and abilities, so far as is reasonable. Staff should also support children to try activities that are ‘new’ for them, where appropriate. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.4) Inspection report for children’s home: 2731332 7

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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: 2731332 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, Richard House, Sorbonne Close, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6DA

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Inspector

Natalie Clark, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2731332 9 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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