Children's home run by Guidance Care Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2620266 1 Registered provider: Guidance Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a new manager in post. She has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2620266 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/03/2024 Full Outstanding 21/02/2023 Full Good 07/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2620266 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home into semi-independent accommodation. The planning for her move was exemplary. Managers and staff showed commitment and dedication in ensuring that the placement was right for the child, accepting nothing less than a placement that would fully meet her needs and keep her safe. Managers took decisive action in securing an advocate to further support the child to overcome barriers. The child’s views were central to all decision-making. For example, the child said that she would like to move back to the area where she lived previously. Managers were assertive and made this happen.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are making great progress in all areas of their lives due to the individualised care they receive from staff. For example, one child has learned how to regulate their emotions better because of the guidance and support given by staff. This means that the child is calmer and generally less anxious. Another child has reduced their missing-from- home incidents. This has led to her becoming safer and more engaged in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have positive relationships with the committed and caring staff. These relationships are a key factor in children’s successes. Children recognise the progress that they have made since living in the home. One child said, ‘I thought it was just going to be another care home where the staff are not bothered about you, but it’s not like that here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have high aspirations for children and provide attuned, thoughtful care to help them achieve their potential. They are extremely committed and work creatively to help children to progress. For example, staff’s persistent support helped one child back into full-time education after an extended period out of school. This child now has good attendance and is once again enjoying going to school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The health of children is promoted positively. All children are appropriately registered for the full range of health services available to them and are encouraged to attend all routine health checks and assessments. Staff have access to clinical support to assist them in meeting each child’s emotional, social and psychological well-being needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is beautifully decorated, providing children with a homely environment that they deserve. Pictures of children are on show in each room that capture their joyful experiences, including a recent holiday. Children express a huge sense of pride in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children’s views, wishes and feelings are central to the running of the home. Children have a sense of belonging and feel heard by staff. This empowers children to have a voice. For some children, this is the first time in their lives that they feel that what they say matters. Inspection report for children's home: 2620266 4 Children take part in a variety of activities, which are captured in memory books. Staff take children on holiday abroad. For example, children recently went on a holiday to Paris and before that went on a summer holiday to Tenerife.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s relationships with their families are sensitively supported. Staff have a real understanding of the significance of these relationships and how these impact on children’s well-being. Staff ensure that, when possible, children are supported to spend quality time with their family.

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

The staff prioritise children’s safety. They are well trained in all areas of safeguarding and are alert and responsive to any signs or symptoms of concern. Any training required to support children’s additional vulnerabilities is arranged immediately. There are comprehensive risk assessments and management plans to guide staff practice. These are regularly updated in response to changing or newly emerging concerns. Plans are clear about the procedures to follow, and staff demonstrate their knowledge of how they should respond to safeguarding concerns.

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

Staff have an exceptional understanding of how children’s feelings and experiences underpin their behaviours. Staff recognise when children’s worries may affect their behaviour. They listen, empathise and help children to work through their feelings. As a result, there have been no behavioural incidents at the home.

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

Staff know how to implement and follow the local authority’s joint protocol for reporting children missing from home. When a child goes missing, staff consider the underlying reasons for this behaviour. Children are provided with an independent person to speak to on their return home. This provides an opportunity to explore the reasons for children going missing and take action to minimise this in the future.

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

Well-planned key-work sessions are undertaken with children to address their individual needs. These sessions contribute to the excellent progress that children make. Staff are not afraid to tackle sensitive subjects with the children. Staff use these sessions to empower children and develop their knowledge. Consequently, children’s increased understanding encourages them to make positive choices in their lives.

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

The manager makes sure that health and safety checks are regularly undertaken. Records show that children and staff regularly practise evacuations of the building, so they know how to respond in an emergency. The home has established systems and structures in place to maintain safe practices and fulfil health and safety obligations.

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

The manager makes sure that the organisation’s thorough recruitment practices are followed. Staff are vetted and assessed as suitable before any appointment is confirmed. This means children are only cared for by suitable adults. Inspection report for children's home: 2620266 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A inspirational, forward-thinking manager leads the team. She demonstrates a high degree of passion and aspiration to improve the lives of the children at the home. Staff mirror this commitment to the children. Staff are complimentary about the support that they receive from the manager. They feel that the manager is approachable and committed to the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high expectations of staff at the home and ensures a high level of scrutiny. This comes from the manager placing the children at the centre of everything she does. When incidents have taken place, the manager is proactive in implementing changes to further develop the care provided to the children. This ensures that the team goes above and beyond for the children they work with.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The training and development activities provided ensure that all staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to support children effectively and promote positive outcomes. Most staff hold qualifications appropriate to their role. Those who are not qualified are working towards the relevant qualifications.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings focus on each child’s needs. Progress is clearly measured through individual plans and outcomes for each child. Further support is provided through regular and detailed supervision for all staff, which further enables them to reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff and the registered manager have established excellent working relationships with a range of agencies and professionals who are involved in children’s care. Staff work closely with teachers, social workers, health professionals and the police. The manager challenges partner agencies appropriately and effectively when required. Consequently, children know that they can trust the staff to advocate for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager integrates a number of theoretical approaches in practice. In response to these, changes have been made to the practice and procedures at the home. The PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy) approach is being built on. Reflective practice is also central to the manager’s approach. These approaches are embedded in staff’s practice and have directly improved the experiences and progress of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are a number of comprehensive monitoring and reviewing systems in place. These enable the manager to have oversight of the home. They offer a thorough level of scrutiny, and the manager sets actions following monitoring and review. These methods involve considering the quality of care provided and where improvements can be made. This approach demonstrates a culture that promotes and drives continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this visit. Inspection report for children's home: 2620266 6

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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: 2620266 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Guidance Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Guidance Care Ltd, Unit 8, Sovereign Court, Wyrefields, Poulton Industrial Estate, Poulton-le-Fylde FY6 8JX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Lorraine Anderson

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2620266 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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