Children's home run by Hebron House Limited

Inspection report children's home: 2795346 1 Registered provider: Hebron House

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a private company. The home provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The home registered with Ofsted in July 2024. The post for a registered manager is vacant. The deputy manager is currently in day-to-day charge of the home.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home and were spoken to by the inspector.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2795346 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have moved into the home in a well thought out planned way. This has led to the children settling in well. The manager and staff understand the children’s backgrounds and vulnerabilities and how best to support them. This means children receive good quality care and nurture from a committed staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children are engaged in full time education and are meeting their expected grades and targets. This means children are on target to achieve positive outcomes in education to support their future aspirations. One school professional said, ’I thought it would be very traumatic for the children moving to a children's home, but staff made the move smooth and easy which helped the children to settle in well and build relationships with them. The care is second to none, I have no concerns whatsoever.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children are registered with local health services and are supported to attend routine health appointments. Children’s emotional health and wellbeing needs are understood and met by a variety of professionals. Staff encourage and support children to engage with a therapist in the view that this will support a reunification home to family in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support healthy daily routines for children, including brushing their teeth and having a good bedtime routine. Staff encourage children to take part in hobbies and activities. One child enjoys weekly horse-riding lessons and another child attends a weekly drama school. This supports the children to develop their social skills and encourages the development of their self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to rebuild and maintain relationships with family members so that they do not lose contact with people who are important to them. One family member said, ‘I am glad this home has been chosen for the children, its brilliant, the children love it, and I love it - they support me too.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated to a good standard and provides a conformable space for the children to live in. Children have personalised their bedrooms and their views, wishes and feelings about their care and home are sought on a regular basis. This supports children to develop a sense of identity and belonging.

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

The safety and welfare of children are at the centre of staff practice. Children’s risk management and support plans are detailed and are regularly reviewed and updated. This helps staff to provide effective care and guidance to support the children and helps children to regulate their emotions in a way that the child prefers. Inspection report children's home: 2795346 3 Staff receive training in safeguarding, child protection and harmful sexual behaviour to support the children in their care. The number of safeguarding incidents is low and allegations are rare and well-managed. The manager takes appropriate action and communicates effectively with other professionals to ensure that the children remain safe living in the home.

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

Staff prioritise verbal de-escalate techniques and use physical only as a last resort. Staff are trained in both de-escalation and physical intervention techniques. On a few occasions, staff have intervened by holding or guiding children when necessary. These Interventions are proportionate and necessary to keep the children and others safe. The manager reviews each incident to ensure that staff practice is appropriate and safe. As a result, children have been successfully supported in managing their emotions positively.

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

Staff understand the procedures and protocols to follow should children go missing from home. However, due to the positive relationships staff have built with the children, the children do not go missing from home and they value and respect the time spent with the staff. Staff give the children verbal praise and rewards for positive behaviours and celebrate their achievements.

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

Children have received consequences in response to their behaviour. However, the manager’s analysis has identified that these are not always restorative or effective in nature. Additionally, the manager does not speak to the staff who implemented the consequences. This is a missed opportunity for the manager to track and address any shortfalls in staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The previous manager has taken on the role of responsible individual and the deputy manager is acting as the interim manager. The interim manager has suitable experience and the relevant childcare and management qualification. The interim manager leads by example, knows the children well and speaks of the children in high regard and is ambitious for their future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One new member of staff has joined the team since the last inspection. New staff receive a thorough induction that provides them with a detailed programme of training and guidance for their new role. This leads to consistency in care and support for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision, training and attend team meetings. This allows the manager and staff to reflect on their practice to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the children. One professional said, ‘I am absolutely blown away by the level of care provided by the staff to the children, it is so nurturing and the warmth radiates. The children are so happy and relationships are very strong.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The interim manager has introduced research into staff practice. This supports the staff to remain up to date with any new developments, ideas, and strategies to develop their Inspection report children's home: 2795346 4 practice in areas specific to each of the children, such as, moving to high school and supporting children with anxiety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person visits the home monthly and reports on the service and any areas for development. The manager is proactive in addressing any recommendations made. However, on at least one occasion, the independent person did not conduct a visit and has failed to send several reports to Ofsted in a timely manner. This does not enable the regulator to have effective oversight of the home. Inspection report children's home: 2795346 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used to address poor behaviour are restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. Also, the member of staff who has used the consequence should be spoken to, to consider ways to develop their own practice. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 46, paragraph 9.38)  The registered person should ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person undertakes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home's care. The reports must also be submitted to Ofsted in a timely manner. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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 children's home: 2795346 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Bottle Bazaar Limited, 1 Brewers Hill Road, Dunstable LU6 1AA

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Inspector

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2795346 7 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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