Children's Home run by Break Charity in Norfolk

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC025718 1 SC025718

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This charity-run home provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

During the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 22 October 2024

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC025718 2

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of this inspection, there were three children living at the home. One child spoke briefly to the inspector. The children lived together in another registered home before moving to this home. This was in a city which increased risks for some children. The location of this home reduces some of these risks. Two of these children moved to this home at the same time.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a spacious period home situated in a residential street in a coastal town. The ground floor has been refurbished to provide a welcoming open-plan kitchen and dining area. Bedrooms are on the first and second floors.

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Findings from the inspection

Children benefit from good relationships with staff. The staff take a kind and warm parenting approach. They encourage children to be open and honest. Their approach works well. They take breakfast upstairs to a new child, who is getting used to the home. The staff are vigilant, they demonstrate curiosity and know what is going on for children. This has made them aware of emerging risks. They discuss these sensitively with children and try to help them understand the dangers. Written accounts of these are addressed to the child.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff regularly seek children’s views and meet with children. These meetings are well written and pleasant for children to read. Staff take time to build relationships with children and recognise their skills and strengths. They celebrate their efforts and accomplishments. Children bake for charity events, enjoy swimming group activities and one-to-one time with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

The risks to children are identified by the staff, who try to reduce and address these. There are few incidents, and children rarely go missing from the home or experience bullying. When this has been a potential concern, the group dynamics have been given careful consideration. Staff have met with children’s social workers and reviewed the relationships and whether these are safe and appropriate. This anticipation and awareness minimised harm to the child.

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Findings from the inspection

There are concerns about substance misuse. This is a known risk for two children. The staff offer support and guidance to the children. This is based on trust and good relationships. Regular honest discussions show that children trust staff and are relatively open with them regarding risks.

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Findings from the inspection

Significant incidents have been managed well. Staff understand children’s risks and how to help them remain safe. Staff use sensitive and child-centred approaches to help children understand difficult situations. This helps children to develop skills to manage their own safety. Overall, since moving to the home, children are safer.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are more prepared and supported to manage unsafe behaviour effectively. The previous shortfalls about staff managing difficult situations have been addressed with training and better oversight. Since the last inspection, staff have attended a Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC025718 3 two-day behaviour management training. This has reinforced a consistent approach and given staff the required guidance.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a strong drive to improve the leadership of the home. This has meant changes to the senior staff team. Following the management shortfalls identified at the last inspection, there is clear plan for improving the management of the home. The acting manager and responsible person have responded to the requirements and recommendations made at the home’s last inspection. These have been checked at this inspection and are all met.

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Findings from the inspection

A manager from another home provided support following the departure of the last manager in December 2024. A new manager has been appointed without delay. She has met the staff and will commence in her role in May 2025. Visits have been arranged to introduce the new manager to the children and staff. The acting manager will provide a handover. The responsible individual has provided extra support to interim managers in the home. This has helped to minimise any disruption from the change of manager effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been one complaint since the last inspection. This was regarding a child making a complaint about her social worker. The staff helped the child and supported them with this complaint. This child has since left the home. There have been no complaints regarding the care provided or the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been some staff turnover and several new staff. Staff are positive about their work. They have a clear induction and attend training. They bring energy and enthusiasm to their roles. They are attuned to children’s needs. The staff attend team meetings when children’s needs are discussed, and their progress and vulnerabilities are considered. This, combined with the new manager becoming familiar with the children and staff team, will take time to embed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC025718 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/04/2023 Full Good 23/08/2022 Full Good 05/05/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC025718 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address : Schofield House, Spar Road, Norwich NR6 6BX

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC025718 6 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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