Children's home run by Headway Adolescent Resources Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2697861 1 Registered provider: Headway Adolescent Resources Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately operated and provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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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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Information about this children’s home

There is a separate annex that is located next to the home. One child lives in the annex. Staff use the annex to help children become more independent.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2697861 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/03/2024 Full Good 07/02/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2697861 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy living in the home and are making continuous progress. They say that staff help them when they have a problem and that it is ‘fun’ living here’. Relationships between children and adults are positive, and children seek out staff for affection and reassurance when needed. Although the children in the home get along well, they do not choose to spend time together.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress in all areas of their lives, particularly education. Attendance is consistently high, and children are on track to achieve their goals. The registered manager and the education providers work closely together to ensure that information is shared, which supports the children in school. Children have been provided with work experience opportunities during the summer holidays to help them achieve their career ambitions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have access to medical services and specialist emotional health support to help meet their healthcare needs. After consultations with medical and psychological professionals, plans have been made for staff to receive additional specialist training. Professionals are positive about the home and appreciate the support that they receive, especially from the registered manager.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager supports children’s relationships with their family and friends. Family time is led by the children, and their wishes and feelings are listened to and acted on. This has enabled children to see their families out in the community. The children have a range of interests and hobbies that they enjoy, such as horse riding, playing pool, gaming, surfing and performing arts. The staff encourage the children to participate in community events. They have been involved in stage productions, have raised money for charity through a fun run, and are planning to help provide food for homeless people at Christmas.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented, warm and comfortable. The walls are decorated with photos of children and adults enjoying holidays and activities together. The living room has big sofas and a log burner and is an area where children and adults watch films together. Staff do not have an office space, so they spend time in the communal areas with the children. However, there was a locked, empty bedroom that children could not access. Children’s bedrooms are personalised, and they are involved in decorating and choosing furniture. Staff help children feel safe and secure in their space.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child uses the annex to help develop independence skills. The registered manager has created an independence programme to support children in acquiring life skills through to adulthood. While children living in the annex can still access the main home, this generally only happens at mealtimes.

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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2697861 4 There is a positive safeguarding culture in the home. Staff know what they need to do to keep children safe. They understand the children’s needs well, and therefore they can identify the risks and help them manage them. When children make mistakes, they receive support to reflect, learn from the experience. The registered manager has robust processes to managing risk and co-ordinates plans with the children, their families, staff and the multi-agency team around them. However, one child said that they did not feel safe during an incident, which resulted in them calling the police.

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

Restraint has not been used in the home for over a year. The staff and the registered manager focus on using de-escalation and calming methods with the children, and they use the positive relationships they have built to manage any upsets that may occur. Although physical intervention has not been necessary, the staff are familiar with the procedures they would follow if it were ever required.

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

Children have not been missing from home during this inspection period. Staff understand that there is a missing-from-home protocol that they will use when needed.

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

Weekly sessions on online safety and healthy relationships are carried out with the children. The registered manager actively involves the children in their plans, increasing their commitment to making them work. Children have access to internet-enabled devices and social media platforms suitable for their age and understanding. When online safety concerns arise, staff take robust actions to protect the children from harm. Children feel confident they can seek support from staff if they have any concerns.

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

When children raise concerns about staff, the registered manager responds promptly to ensure their safety. These concerns are shared with relevant external professionals, and robust actions and outcomes are agreed on. Children are updated, and once the outcome has been reached, restorative work is carried out with the staff and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has a thorough understanding of the children and has high expectations and aspirations for them, actively working to put these into practice. The registered manager and staff are enthusiastic about the progress the children have made and continue to make. The staff and the registered manager are strong advocates for the children, persistently raising issues until the children receive the services that they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff find the registered manager inspiring and feel well supported by her. Regular, reflective supervision sessions focus on the needs of children and staff’s own development need. The support from the home’s psychology service enhances staff’s confidence to adapt their practices to better meet the children’s needs. Staff receive training tailored to the individual needs of children and are encouraged to share their learning and understanding of relevant topics with the team. As a result, staff work together with a shared understanding of holistic care for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2697861 5 The registered manager is aware of the home’s strengths, such as relationship-based practices, positive collaboration with professionals, and a child-centred approach to practice. They also identify areas for improvement and continuously work on developing services to meet the children’s evolving needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager embeds the use of research to improve practice to enhance the children’s lives. Staff are also encouraged to carry out their own research to build their confidence and to be creative in their work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s plans are child focused and show how staff support them in their everyday lives. Children actively contribute to their records, making their voices strongly heard and clearly highlighting what is important to them, as well as their hopes and dreams for the future. The registered manager’s comprehensive paperwork ensures that assessments are impactful and directly relevant to the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2697861 6

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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: 2697861 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Headway Adolescent Resources Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Malvern View, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4AD

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Inspector

Karen Hallam, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2697861 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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