Children's home run by Enhanceable

Inspection report for children's home: 2645163 1 Registered provider: Enhanceable

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The provider is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation. The home provides short breaks for up to seven children with learning and/or physical disabilities and/or sensory impairment.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted on 18 August 2021.

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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: 6 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: 2645163 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/02/2024 Full Good 21/02/2023 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2645163 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive good-quality care that is tailored to their specific needs. Staff are empathic, nurturing, fun and child led, which is a strength of this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s individual needs, likes and dislikes well. Staff prepare carefully for children’s visits, ensuring that their preferences are known. For example, staff set up children’s favourite activities, prepare their favourite foods and set children’s bedrooms up the way they like them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders, managers and staff ensure that the admissions process is well planned, by working closely with parents and professionals. Children visit the home for ‘teatime’ to familiarise themselves with staff and the home before their initial overnight stay. This helps children settle. Parents say they are confident in leaving their child for their stay and that staff are responsive and understanding about any changes to their child’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to develop their independence. Staff assist children to develop life skills, such as dressing themselves, and support them to prepare meals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff consistently seek children’s views, using the children’s preferred communication styles. Staff support nonverbal children by using pictures and signs. Staff know and act on children’s wishes and feelings, for example, providing their chosen foods and activities and supporting them with their interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy positive experiences during their stay. Children have lots of play opportunities and take part in activities together. There are two large outside play areas where children can play safely. Play equipment includes trampolines, sensory chimes and swings. One child said they ‘love it’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Inside the home, children can enjoy visual projections on the walls and floors in the sensory room. They can also spend quiet time in the relaxation room, do arts and crafts, baking, play board games, and do puzzles and bespoke activities. Activities offered to children promote their social skills, safe sensory stimulation and enjoyment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are also supported to enjoy activities in the community. Trips include going to local parks, bowling, swimming, to the theatre, cinema and visiting local attractions. One child’s social worker said, ‘These activities, such as sensory play, trampolining or playing in the outdoor area, are carefully selected to match his needs and preferences. The predictable, structured environment of the setting helps to make him feel calm and settled, while the variety of activities ensures he is consistently engaged and stimulated.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The physical environment is safe, warm, clean and spacious. One parent said, ‘It’s a lovely place.’ However, there are areas of the home that require some redecoration. Inspection report for children's home: 2645163 4

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

The registered manager and staff work closely with parents and social workers to assess and understand children’s needs and risks before their stay. Leaders and managers share updates and plan for individual children at regular handover meetings. They share key information to ensure that children are safeguarded effectively. Children who require greater support, for example because of behavioural needs or complex health conditions, get the assistance they need.

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

Behaviour management plans are robust and bespoke to each child. Staff manage incidents well and managers have appropriate oversight. Staff are aware of some children’s sensitivity to stressful situations, and they can identify and respond to children when they may become upset or unsettled. In these situations, staff use effective strategies to reduce the child’s anxiety and help them to feel understood and safe.

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

Staff receive effective de-escalation training. As a result, there are few incidents of physical intervention. On the two occasions physical intervention has been used, it has been proportionate and used to keep children safe.

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

Staff undertake safeguarding training and have a good understanding of safeguarding processes and procedures. Leaders, managers and staff work closely with local authorities and contribute to child protection meetings and safeguarding processes. While information shared at these meetings is held on the child’s records, important information is not always transferred to the child’s plans. This means that staff, particularly those who do not know the child, may not know about children’s behaviours and information to be aware of.

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

Children’s health needs are managed well by staff and medication procedures are followed. If errors occur, leaders and managers react promptly by ensuring that staff attend further training. In addition, all staff are required to undertake regular medication competency training. Monthly medication audits are undertaken by the registered manager to review the process and identify improvements where necessary.

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

Allegations against staff are rare. Leaders and managers consult with the local authority designated officer (LADO) appropriately and follow guidance and advice given. The LADO, social workers and parents spoken to have no safeguarding concerns about practice in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She has high expectations and aspirations for both the children in her care and for the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Management decisions are child focused, with an emphasis on the individual child’s needs. The registered manager communicates effectively with professionals, parents and external partners. Inspection report for children's home: 2645163 5 The registered manager effectively assesses the quality of care provided to children. Management reports are comprehensive and accurately reflect the care the home provides. The registered manager values external scrutiny from the independent person, which helps them to identify where improvements may be needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they feel valued and are supported by managers. They enjoy their work and are highly motivated and child focused. One staff member said that their target each day is for the children to ‘be happy, safe and have fun’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive mandatory and specialist training and other development opportunities. They receive regular and effective supervisions and appraisals. In-house training is of good quality and regular team meetings offer staff opportunities for further learning and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement. They respond promptly and appropriately to any complaints or concerns raised. Feedback is used purposefully to improve the delivery of the service. Development plans for the home are acted on, ensuring that the home is working effectively to its statement of purpose. Inspection report for children's home: 2645163 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home provides a supportive and homely environment, by ensuring that redecoration and maintenance issues are addressed promptly. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that children’s risk management plans take into consideration other relevant safety plans provided by external agencies to manage and mitigate risks. They should ensure that they and their staff engage proactively with the placing authority to contribute fully to the relevant plans for the child’s care on an ongoing basis. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.3)

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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: 2645163 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Enhanceable, 13 Geneva Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2TW

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Inspector

Amanda Burrows, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2645163 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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