Children's Home run by Impact For Change Ltd in Devon

Inspection report for children's home: 2549629 1 Registered provider: Impact for Change 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 registered to provide care for up to three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were two children living in the home. Since the previous inspection, two children have moved out and two children have moved in.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home has been registered with Ofsted since September 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 19 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: 2549629 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/02/2024 Full Good 13/12/2022 Full Good 06/09/2022 Full Inadequate 27/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2549629 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spent time with both children. They have positive and engaging interactions with different members of staff. Both children were proud of their personalised bedrooms and keen to show their toys and photos of family members. The children feel happy and safe in their home, and this was evident in how relaxed and comfortable they appeared.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide the children with individualised and personalised care which considers their previous experiences. Staff are nurturing and empathic and create an environment in which children are encouraged to express their feelings and emotions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the children extremely well and have formed strong relationships with them. This has been further supported by the relationships staff have developed with the children’s family members. One parent said they ‘could not speak highly enough of the care that they are providing’ for their child. The relationships that the staff and manager have with the children’s family members have been key in supporting them to settle and thrive in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have supported both children to attend full-time education and are focused on their long-term attainment and achievements. Staff are attuned to the emotional well-being of the children and put in place support when required.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff, leaders and managers have not always successfully supported children who previously lived at the home to leave in a planned way or provided them with clear transition and independence plans. The children now living in the home have clear plans in place for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has received well-planned and effective practical and emotional support for their health needs, which health professionals say will have positive long-term effects for them.

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

Staff understand the children’s risks and their current and potential vulnerabilities. They have plans in place to work towards minimising these.

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

Staff and leaders and managers have not always provided effective support to children previously living in the home when they faced increased risks. For example, support has not always been effective in reducing missing-from-home incidents. The actions taken by staff have, however, always been in line with the children’s missing-from-home plans. Inspection report for children's home: 2549629 4 There are few risks in relation to safeguarding for the children living in the home. However, supervisions and team meetings include little discussion around safeguarding, which the manager has identified may lead to staff becoming deskilled.

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

Staff understand both children’s previous experiences and how these impact on their understanding of the world and the adults around them. Staff are working hard to continue to build the children’s trust and confidence.

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

Staff have identified that one child is experiencing bullying in school and have been proactive in their approach to addressing this. They have had nurturing conversations with the child to help them manage their feelings about the bullying.

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

Staff have developed their approach to managing situations and the manager has supported a move away from the use of physical intervention as a means of behaviour management. Staff use curiosity and playfulness with children when they are struggling but are clear in respect of boundaries.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are committed to providing individualised and child-centred care and have high aspirations for both children. The manager has strived to ensure that the staff have the same level of aspiration, and this is reflected in the overall outcomes for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have a very clear understanding of the experiences of both children and how these impact on behaviour and development. The manager has provided clear guidance to the team on the impact of trauma and effective methods to support and help the children. The plans in place for the children are based on their individual needs and long-term goals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say there has been an encouraging positive shift in overall staff morale since the current manager started working in the home, and this in turn has had a positive impact on the children. They say the manager is extremely supportive and helps them to reflect on their practice. The training they receive helps them to do their jobs and they can access additional training to support the individual the needs of the children. Supervisions are regular and reflective, although actions do not always have clear timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff involve children in decision-making that affects their lives and encourage their participation, for example, in decisions about the home’s decor and their activities and food choices. Despite their young age, there are plans in place to help them develop independence, such as cooking a meal once a week.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager knows the home’s strengths and areas for development and has effectively tracked the improvements which have been made over the past year. When weaknesses have been identified, these have been addressed. The manager has worked with staff to Inspection report for children's home: 2549629 5 develop their understanding of how trauma experienced by children can impact their attachment styles and overall development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff and the manager have very effective working relationships with external professionals, and challenge when needed to make changes for children, particularly in respect of education. Feedback from one social worker was very positive, saying, ‘Their [staff’s] efforts contribute significantly to the well-being and development of the children in their care.’ Inspection report for children's home: 2549629 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff need the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are developed and refreshed and recorded in the home’s workforce plan and within supervisions. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12)

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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: 2549629 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Impact for Change Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Canns Down Press, Beaford, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8LZ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicholas Scribbins

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Inspector

Helen Cushnie, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2549629 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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