Children's home run by Happy Children Home Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1258894 1 Registered provider: Happy Children Home 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

This home can care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties. Three children were living in the home at the time of the inspection, and all three children spoke with the inspector. Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager who registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 13 February 2024

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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: 1258894 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/02/2024 Full Outstanding 28/03/2023 Full Good 14/09/2021 Full Good 03/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1258894 3

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outstanding

Children are making exceptional progress when compared to their individual starting points. The support that children receive is individual to suit their needs and goes above and beyond to ensure that they achieve their goals. Children enjoy living here and have trusted relationships with staff. One child commented that they do not want to leave.

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outstanding

Children feel at home here. There are lots of touches that create the homely environment. This includes photos of the children who live here and children who have moved on. There is artwork from one child with pictures they have drawn of the children and the staff. This includes their names, and it is entitled the name of the home and ‘family’. There is a strong sense of belonging in this home. Children have taken time decorating their bedrooms. They are individualised and comfortable spaces for them to relax.

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outstanding

Children take part in activities and holidays and are involved in planning these with staff. They have enjoyed visiting Cornwall and Hunstanton. One child loves football and is supported to travel around the country to watch his favourite team. Two of the children are very involved in a children’s rights and participation group. They understand how powerful their voice can be and have participated in the creation of a podcast. This included talking to a local judge, where they were able to reflect on their own experiences in the hope of helping other children.

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outstanding

Children are helped to learn independence skills. This is supported by working through an excellent individualised programme that helps them to learn key skills in preparation for independent living. The programme is actively reviewed and adapted to suit the needs of each child. There is a separate independence kitchen, which is used by the children when they have reached a level of understanding and maturity to learn to cook for themselves. This is assessed throughout their independence programme, and the level of supervision depends on their level of need. Children value this supportive approach where they have clear goals as they feel more confident when it is time to move on from the home.

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outstanding

Staff know the children exceptionally well, and managers and leaders ensure that staff are able to meet the needs of the children through excellent care planning. Staff have skilfully supported children who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Staff accessed training, and also an external agency, where they attended parent/carer support groups to inform their care planning for children. They have used research to inform their care, which has made a significant difference to the children who live here. This has helped children feel more confident and made a positive difference to their mental well-being. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258894 4 Staff understand what strategies are required for each child. This includes supporting children to work through difficult emotions. Observations of staff with the children showed the nurture and support that children receive. These help them to feel safer.

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outstanding

Education is highly valued. Staff work alongside relevant professionals to ensure that children have plans in place to suit their individual needs. Children are making sustained progress and are working towards their individual goals based on their level of need. Staff listen to children’s views and have supported them to gain employment. This has included helping one child attend a course that enabled them to secure a job.

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outstanding

Children’s safety is prioritised consistently. The manager and staff are fully aware of the risks and vulnerabilities of the children they care for, and their plans reflect this. The manager applies professional curiosity when considering children’s safety. This has led to significant differences in outcomes for the children she cares for.

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outstanding

The manager has an exceptional understanding of child exploitation and domestic abuse, including gender stereotypes. She has excellent strategies in place to support children and keep them safe. This has included challenging biases from professionals while remaining child focused. This has made a significant difference to children and their safety.

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outstanding

The manager has ensured that staff have completed training in relation to these issues and invited an external domestic abuse service to deliver further training to embed knowledge. The manager has also shared research and resources with staff. This has inspired staff to be creative in how they are supporting children with decision-making in relationships. This has led to a reduction in risks, such as going missing from the home.

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outstanding

Children feel empowered to use their voice in this home. They share their views regularly and feel listened to. There has been one complaint from a child during the inspection period. The manager dealt with this complaint extremely well, treating it with sensitivity, and provided a well-considered response. She ensured that the child felt their feelings were validated and offered a thoughtful resolution. This demonstrated a high level of care and attention to emotional well-being.

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outstanding

Holding children to ensure their safety is rarely used in this home, and there has been only one incident in the last inspection year. This involved two children. This was proportionate and justified, and the children involved were well supported during and after the incident. The children were able to access mediation to ensure that relationships were maintained. There is a clear record when children are held, with management oversight that is reflective of the incident to support learning. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258894 5 Door alarms are used on the children’s bedrooms. This is not currently under regular review to assess whether this is still required. There is no review that details the rationale for the continuing use of the door alarms.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is inspirational to the staff in the home and the children. She has created an environment in the home where staff want to achieve the highest quality of care for children. The children seek out the manager to tell her important things about their lives, and they know she is truly interested and cares for them. The manager offers her undivided attention during these moments.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has strong oversight of the home and demonstrates a high level of reflection. She seeks to learn lessons to continually improve the experience of children. The manager knows the areas of strengths and weaknesses of the home. The home has recently introduced ‘weekend workshops’. This is an allocated time slot once per month at the weekend where a manager will focus on a selected topic to support practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is supported by two deputy managers. They are both caring and nurturing to the children and are directly involved with the children. One deputy manager is referred to as the ‘dad of the house’ by one child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is an excellent advocate for children. The manager understands how important family ties are for children. She has worked very hard with external agencies to ensure that children have the right plans in place to support them. For example, one child had been estranged from their brother for several years. The child wanted to spend time with their brother, so the manager worked closely with external agencies to arrange a sleepover at the home. The children have since continued to enjoy a positive relationship. This was important to the child and has supported their sense of identity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has created a safe space in this home for children to explore who they are. Children feel confident to embrace who they are. The manager understands the importance of a diverse staff team and how this helps children. The manager has also ensured that she and her staff team are able to support children who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. She has accessed independent support services, which have been instrumental in raising awareness among staff and supporting the needs of the children on a day-to-day basis. This has made a big difference to the children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There have been some minor issues between some staff members. The manager has been proactive in finding ways to manage these and motivate staff. The manager addresses any issues quickly and finds solutions to ensure that the effects on children are minimal. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258894 6 Staff have regular supervision sessions, which are very good quality. Children’s individual needs are considered. There is a strong focus on staff development and clear actions are set. Staff feel this is a safe space and are able to share their views openly. They are confident with the whistle-blowing policy, and they seek support from managers when needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Stakeholder feedback was wholly positive when spoken to during this inspection. Each of the children’s social workers commented on the excellent progress that the children have made. One social worker said that the child would speak to staff above anyone else if they had any worries. Another told the inspector that staff just ‘get’ the child and know what the child needs. This is testament to the positive relationships in the home and how these have made a meaningful difference in children’s lives. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258894 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the use of door alarms is regularly reviewed and justification for the continued use of door alarms is clear in the children’s planning. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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 Romes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258894 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Happy Children Home Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: West Walk House, 99 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7LF

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Inspector

Becky Thompson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1258894 9 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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