Children's home run by First 4 Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 1 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 registered with Ofsted in July 2017. The home is registered to provide care for up to three children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home does not have a registered manager. An interim manager is in post, and they have applied to become the registered manager.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. The inspectors spent time with both children during the inspection.

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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: 20 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: 1256608 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2024 Full Good 30/11/2021 Full Outstanding 18/12/2019 Full Good 05/02/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff offer child-focused and sensitive support. One child has lived in the home for a longer period and has strong, trusting relationships with staff. The other child is new to the home and is building trust and communicating their wishes and feelings to staff. The new manager has planned changes so that familiar staff support both children, and they continue to build warm and responsive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children may have worries or anxieties, the manager and staff work sensitively to alleviate these. Children’s plans are clear, and one child has been involved in developing their plan around areas of anxiety so that they have some control in this area. Staff know the children well and understand their care plans. Children are listened to, and their views are respected. Both children have an advocate who visits the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child follows their hobbies and interests and has had many positive experiences in the home and local area. These are captured in a memory book that they can keep. Staff are preparing video clips and communication tools for the child who is new to the home. These are used to help them prepare for local trips and understand where they are going and what will happen.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are both making good progress from their starting points. One is sleeping better through the night, and the other child is growing in confidence to talk to people and learning skills that will help them in the future. Both attend school, and communication between the settings and the home works well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager made a moving-in plan for the newest child, using individualised communication tools to help them picture their new home before coming. They worked closely with other professionals to gather accurate information, and they involved the child already living in the home. Child-specific communication training was put in place swiftly for the staff team. This has helped the child to settle well into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy the space and equipment in this homely and well-maintained home. The statement of purpose for the home does not capture the communication support staff use in the home, and some language and legislation referred to in the children’s guide are outdated.

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

Children’s plans are clear and tell staff how to support them if they become distressed. Staff reduce the level of anxiety for children through preparing the environment, considering the child’s own worries and taking positive steps to reassure them. Staff work in the least restrictive way they can with children, and they do not use physical interventions and environmental restrictions. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 4 The new manager has improved recruitment systems and checks in the home. Appropriate checks are recorded for all staff, including any temporary staff used through an agency. Temporary staff are not used often, and there are always familiar staff working in the home. Temporary staff are supported and trained to meet children’s needs well.

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

Children do not go missing from the home, and they are supported by staff when they are out in the community. There are clear plans to follow if children are separated from staff when they are out.

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

One child expressed that they feel safe in the home. Professionals notice the changes in behaviour that assure them that children feel safe and are supported well by staff.

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

Leaders ensure that appropriate follow-up takes place if an allegation is made in the home. Leaders ensure that risks are addressed and information is shared with other professionals. Lessons learned are captured, and new training is included in staff inductions. The new manager and staff understand their role in managing incidents in the home and reporting these.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager is suitably qualified and leads by example in the home. She has made numerous changes to the systems in a short space of time and boosted staff confidence and morale. The manager has clear oversight of the home, is reflective and has high aspirations for the children in her care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works closely with professionals regarding children’s needs and plans. Professionals comment on the marked improvement in communication and joint working that is led by the manager. Information is shared regularly, and this is helping children to feel safe. The manager will question and challenge where needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by the new manager and leaders. They receive regular, reflective supervision and are growing in their roles and skills. Staff feel motivated by the new manager. Many are new to their role, and the manager plans support on each shift for less-experienced staff. This ensures that they feel supported in their role. A staff member said this about the home: ‘It is more than just a workplace. It is a home where young people are supported and nurtured and where staff feel valued and empowered. It is a privilege to be part of such a dedicated team, and I look forward to continuing to grow and contribute to the positive environment we have built.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete a wide range of training to meet the needs of children, and the provider is responsive in putting training in place. Therapeutic training also supports the staff team to understand children’s needs. The manager has also supported staff by completing a workshop around recording to help them develop their skills in this area. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 5 Reports from the independent visitor in the period have not included an appropriate level of consultation, challenge and evaluation. Leaders have challenged and worked with the visitor to make improvements. A new independent visitor has recently been appointed, and the initial report is much improved. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should review the children’s guide and ensure that all versions help children understand how to make a complaint. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.22).

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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: 1256608 7

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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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Inspectors

Carol Jagger, Social Care Inspector Kirstie Sutherland, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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