Children's home run by One Step Care Limited Assurance visit report: 2552036 4

Inspection report for children’s home: 2552036 1 Registered provider: One Step Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties, as well as learning disabilities, alcohol and drug issues, and mental health difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 20 November 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2552036 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/08/2023 Full Good 12/10/2022 Full Good 07/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2552036 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have strong and trusting relationships with staff. Staff are devoted to the children and recognise the value of developing these relationships. Staff dedicate time and efforts to making the children feel like they belong, which offers them a sense of stability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well prepared to leave the home when the time comes. Staff work with the children to give them the skills they need to take care of themselves. Furthermore, staff plan well in advance to ensure that children have the best chance of a positive end to their time at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a significant say in what happens in the home. Staff gather children’s views in several ways, including using each child’s first language. Staff listen to and value children’s wishes. Staff make sure that children understand how their opinions influence change in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are aware of each child’s life experience and how it has affected them. Staff are sensitive to a child’s family history and support children who are far away from home. This involves assisting in the development of local connections. The children have raised money for local charities, which benefits their community and gives them a sense of pride. This also helps children establish supportive local ties, which can be useful when they move to their adult homes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are attending education and making progress from their starting points. Staff know the value of education and support children’s attendance. When children are reluctant to attend school, staff work creatively with school staff to find ways of motivating them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work sensitively with children to enable them to attend health appointments. Staff have supported one child in overcoming their anxiety around receiving dental treatment under local anaesthesia rather than general anaesthesia.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm and welcoming and furnished to a good standard, with photos of the children displayed throughout. Children’s bedrooms reflect their individual likes and interests. However, active door alarms are installed on children’s bedroom doors. These are not regularly reviewed to determine whether they are still necessary for each child.

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

Staff are aware of and understand children’s individual risks and vulnerabilities, as outlined in their risk assessments. Staff consider children’s views while developing their comprehensive and well-thought-out care plans. Staff are confident in their ability to keep children safe, and children say they feel safe inside and outside the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2552036 4 Staff are aware of and consistently follow the missing-from-home procedures in line with each child’s risk assessment. Staff work tirelessly to locate children while monitoring and tracking any patterns in missing-from-home incidents. These efforts help children return safely and lower the frequency of missing-from-home episodes.

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

Staff never physically hold children to manage their behaviour. They understand how trauma affects children’s lives. Staff work tirelessly to help children understand how their feelings affect their behaviour. This is achieved through positive encouragement and rewards. Negative consequences are rarely used.

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

Staff help children to safely navigate the internet. They recognise that the internet is part of the children’s lives and are vigilant for signs that they may be at risk. When necessary, staff respond by ensuring that the children are immediately safe. They work with each child to support them in understanding the risks the internet poses and how to keep themselves safe in the future.

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

Staff liaise effectively with police and other professionals to help protect children at risk of exploitation. Staff are aware of indicators of exploitation, and they monitor and track the people with whom children spend time. When children are secretive, staff are more curious about their lives. Staff work proactively with the children to help them understand the risks others pose and how to protect themselves.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

An inspirational manager leads the home. The manager is dedicated to the children and ensures that they have the best possible experiences in the home. The manager is committed to ensuring that children receive high-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager leads a motivated team of staff who share her vision for the home. Her empathetic and nurturing approach fosters a team spirit and a culture of respect. Staff want to support the manager and each other in ensuring that children receive the best possible care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is an organised, efficient person who has effective monitoring systems in place. These systems routinely track the progress of children and the staff team. The data gathered is used by the manager to carry out reflective discussions with the staff team. She uses this information to enhance staff practice and ensure that high standards of care are maintained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff have excellent working relationships with all professionals. Professionals describe the manager and staff's communication as 'exceptional' and hold them in high regard. Good working relationships contribute to the overall experiences of children and the progress that they are making .

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is committed to staff development and recognises that this enhances the quality of care provided to children. The manager has invested time in understanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2552036 5 each person’s learning style and adapted their regular supervision and appraisals to optimise reflective discussion and learning. Staff feel valued, which helps them to take responsibility for their learning and practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings take place regularly and are well attended. The manager uses this forum for reflective team discussion. She provides additional resources and research to bolster learning around areas of interest or in response to risk in the home. The manager is confident in the staff’s ability to meet children’s needs and to continue to develop professionally. Inspection report for children’s home: 2552036 6

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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 registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(d)) 14 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: 2552036 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: One Step Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Town Hall Business & Conference Centre, High Street East, Wallsend NE28 7AT

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Jennifer McGranaghan

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Inspector

Lisa Gordon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2552036 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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