Children's Home run by Invigor Adolescent Care Limited in Manchester

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2605180 1 Registered provider: Invigor Adolescent 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 home is operated by a private organisation and provides care for up to three children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 18 December 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 inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: 2605180 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The inspector spoke with all three children during the inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have not been any children leave the home. Children are settled and have positive relationships with staff and the manager. Staff are knowledgeable about children’s needs and how to support them.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment has improved with a repair programme in place. Children have been able to personalise their bedrooms. However, some maintenance tasks in children’s bedrooms have not yet been completed.

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Findings from the inspection

One child is due to move imminently to live independently and has been supported to develop life skills such as cooking and budgeting. Risk management strategies have been gradually reduced in recognition of the child’s impending adulthood. Regular discussions with staff help the child learn how to keep safe outside of the home and online.

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Findings from the inspection

Children access an education provision that is tailored to their needs. When children have not been in education for some time, staff work with them to understand the value and importance of education. Rewards and incentives are used to encourage attendance, and children respond well to these.

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Findings from the inspection

There are plans in place that support the care of the children. These are written using child-friendly language. Comprehensive recording on these documents captures progress made by children and emerging needs. Risk management plans have improved and give staff strategies and guidance to manage and support children’s vulnerabilities. Behaviour management strategies are now consistent for all children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. He has introduced new monitoring systems, which has allowed him better oversight of the day-to-day care provided for children. However, he has not completed a full review of the care provided in a timely manner.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a focus on staff training, particularly in therapeutic approaches. The manager has sought to upskill staff and refresh their knowledge using team meetings and supervision sessions. However, not all staff have received supervision in accordance with timescales set out in the statement of purpose.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a consistent staff team. Gaps in the rota are filled by the staff team, and there is minimal use of staff from other homes. When there have been concerns about staff practice, the manager has taken action internally. However, on one Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2605180 3 occasion, an allegation about a member of staff was not shared with safeguarding agencies and the regulator in a timely manner, which has reduced external oversight.

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Findings from the inspection

Most of the requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2605180 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 27/09/2023 Full Good 18/10/2022 Full Good 30/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2605180 5

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

All staff, including managers, must know the processes to be followed when allegations are made against staff. This must include notifying relevant safeguarding and regulatory bodies. Systems must be in place to ensure that these processes are followed. 30 April 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff receive regular supervision sessions in accordance with what is set out in the home’s statement of purpose. 26 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2605180 6 The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months. (Regulation 45 (1)) 30 April 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a welcoming and homely environment. Specifically, they should ensure that any damage to the home, including a child’s bedroom, is identified and rectified in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2605180 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Invigor Adolescent Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Warren Bruce Court, Warren Bruce Road, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1LB

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Inspectors

Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Kitty Wiper, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2605180 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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