Children's home run by Total Care Matters Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2541993 1 Registered provider: Total Care Matters Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager position has been vacant since 31 January 2025.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2541993 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2023 Full Good 07/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/08/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2541993 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection. However, there have been three other children living at the home since the last inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child likes living at the home. He says that he likes the staff and feels safe. Staff have developed trusted relationships with the child. A homely environment has been created.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff write the child’s placement plan alongside the child. It is recorded as if written by the child. It is detailed and helps staff to know all aspects of the child’s life. There is a care folder with a range of additional documents. This includes a one-page profile, a daily living plan and a relationship management plan.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health needs are well met. This includes a protocol and safety plan for a specific health need. Medication is stored, administered, recorded and audited appropriately and safely. A drama therapist provides support to the child with regards to his emotional health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the child is supported with his chosen identity. The child feels comfortable to speak with staff about how he identifies. This helps the child to feel listened to and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Regular one-to-one discussions are held between staff and the child. They discuss important issues and concerns for the child. They are recorded well, and all have management comments and actions. Effective children’s meetings provide another opportunity for the child to express his wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to spend time with his family. Arrangements are clearly recorded in his placement plan. The child’s social worker said, ‘Staff go above and beyond with family time. Nothing has been too much trouble’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is currently not in school. The manager and staff are working to find a provision that meets the child’s needs. This is in partnership with the child’s social worker and educational professionals. Staff are not always able to engage the child in learning whilst he is out of school.

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

Staff understand risks to children. The child’s risk assessment clearly records known and potential risks. The possible triggers to behaviours are identified. The actions that staff need to take to manage the risk are clearly explained. Inspection report for children’s home: 2541993 4 There is a very comprehensive behaviour support plan for the child. It clearly records how staff should support the child in different situations. Staff help the child to understand the plan. Physical interventions are rarely used. All staff are trained in de- escalation and safe handling techniques.

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

Children have gone missing from the home. When this happens there is a comprehensive response from staff and managers. This includes the initial reaction and search for the child. Afterwards there are debrief discussions with the child and staff. The manager reflects on the incident and records her oversight. Safeguarding professionals have been appropriately involved when necessary. Staff have received training from a missing persons co-ordinator within the police.

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

Staff help children to know the dangers of child exploitation. This includes well-planned one-to one discussions with the child regarding gangs, criminal activity and the way adults can exploit children.

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

Children are helped to stay safe online. This includes many one-to-one sessions between the staff and child. Staff educate the child on appropriate use, potential dangers and legislation.

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

Staff respond well to concerns regarding children misusing substances. Children are supported to learn the risks involved and the impact on their health. The manager reviews any incidents and identifies learning to improve staff awareness. Health professionals are appropriately involved when required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The deputy manager has taken the role of interim manager. This has provided continuity for staff and children. She is reflective and very supportive of the child and staff. She has thorough oversight of the care and protection of the child. The home’s operations manager is also providing daily help and guidance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager feels well supported by the operations manager. She also values the support of directors and other managers within the company. There is a fortnightly manager meeting for group development. She receives regular one-to-one supervision for her professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they love working at the home and feel very well supported. There is a planned induction for new starters. This is currently being developed further across the company. It is supported by a range of face-to-face and online training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff understand the providers approach to caring for children. The preferred model of care is well embedded. This is evident within written records and staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2541993 5 Staff receive regular one-to-one supervision discussions with a manager. They are effective meetings. Staff are helped to develop their practice. For example, discussing safeguarding scenarios. Staff wellbeing is also a central part of these meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team meet with the manager fortnightly. Meetings include in-depth discussions on children’s progress and current plans. Also, learning from incidents and ensuring that care and protection of children includes opportunities for fun.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses a range of comprehensive quality assurance and monitoring tools. She has very good oversight of all incidents, plans and other documents. This is with regards to the child, staff and the home. She spends time with the child and has daily observations of staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2541993 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children who have been excluded from school are supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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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: 2541993 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Total Care Matters Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 11 Chantrey Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7NR

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2541993 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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