Children's Home run by First 4 Care Limited in Doncaster

Inspection report for children’s home: SC390293 1 SC390293 Registered provider: FIRST 4 CARE 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

A private provider runs this children’s home. It provides care for up to three children or young people who experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children and one young person were living there. One child and one young person were spoken to during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The service registered with Ofsted in March 2009. The registered manager left the home in December 2024. A new manager has been appointed. The new manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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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: SC390293 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/08/2023 Full Good 17/05/2023 Full Inadequate 03/01/2023 Full Good 01/09/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC390293 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people feel safe in the home and have trusted relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home feels warm and inviting. Children and young people have their own space but also several communal areas where they can spend time together. The home is personalised with children’s photos, and the children and young people have been able to choose the decor in their bedrooms. One young person said that they love living in the home and that they feel safe and cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people are encouraged to explore their feelings and develop skills to manage their behaviour. Specialist advice and support are available to support children and young people and also to support staff. This helps staff set consistent boundaries and children and young people to feel cared for and supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have high expectations for children and young people’s education, and education attendance has increased. Children and young people’s attainment at school is celebrated, and staff provide encouragement and support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children and young people to engage in activities and make friends, and they also ensure that contact is maintained with people who are important to them. Staff ensure that communication between the children and young people and their extended network is strong.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s and young people’s achievements are celebrated. Staff take an interest in their progress and reward them for their achievements. Children and young people meet weekly to plan meals and activities and share feedback. This helps them develop a sense of belonging and security.

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

Staff know the children and young person well and are responsive to their individual needs, which makes them feel safe. Staff are trained to use de-escalation techniques, and this makes children and young people feel safe and protected. If holds are used, this is to reduce immediate risk and keep the child or young person safe.

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

Risk assessments are in place that guide staff in what to do in given situations; they are regularly reviewed following any significant incident. This helps children and young people manage their behaviours and feelings safely.

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

Since the last inspection, there has only been one incident when a child was missing from home. Staff know what to do if a missing-from-home episode occurs, and they take appropriate action to ensure children and young people remain safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC390293 4 Staff spend time with the children and young people, and this allows them to explore how they are feeling and gives staff the chance to reinforce safety awareness. This helps children and young people learn new skills and develop their independence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is overseen by a new manager who has been a long-serving member of staff. The manager knows the home and the children and young person well. Staff feel supported and listened to by the manager. The manager has good oversight of the children and young people’s plans and undertakes audits regularly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular training, and bespoke courses are commissioned that are tailored to looking after the children. This ensures that staff understand children’s needs and offer consistent and clear boundaries. New staff have been employed in the home, and they have had the opportunity for regular supervision and a supportive induction period.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Agency staff are not used in the home, and staff currently work additional hours to cover any gaps. This means that children have a consistent staff team working with them and they do not have strangers offering care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from professionals is that communication by the staff is good, information is shared in a timely way and the manager is always responsive. The manager has worked tirelessly and tenaciously to ensure that transition planning for the young person in the home is good. The manager’s drive and determination have ensured a positive move-on plan.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

During the inspection it was realised that the provider had not undertaken sufficient checks in relation to the skills and knowledge of the proposed manager. Inspection report for children’s home: SC390293 5

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the provider must undertake the required checks of skills and knowledge when recruiting new staff. 31 May 2025

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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: SC390293 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: FIRST 4 CARE LIMITED

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 St. Wilfrids Road, Doncaster DN4 6AA

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Inspector

Lisa Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC390293 7 regulates and inspects 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 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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