Children's Home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for children’s home: 1249123 1 Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to six children who experience social and emotional difficulties or have learning disabilities. It provides short-, medium- and long-term placements with a therapeutic outdoor activity- based response for children in crisis.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2020.

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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: 30 October 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: 1249123 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/10/2024 Full Good 21/03/2023 Full Good 15/03/2022 Full Outstanding 05/11/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1249123 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three of the children are making steady progress in their overall development. The fourth child recently moved in and is building relationships with staff, who are getting to know the child’s needs as they settle into their new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say that living at the home has changed their lives for the better. One child said, ‘I have really been helped to look after myself, cook, and understand how to budget. I am looking forward to being independent.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in their education from their individual starting points. Children who were previously not in education or had low attendance are now attending school and making progress. As a result, children’s educational predictions for the future have improved. One child is working part time. Staff have assisted them in applying for a college course in preparation for their planned transition to semi-independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well furnished and decorated and has a relaxed atmosphere. Staff support children in decorating their bedrooms to reflect their interests and identities. This helps to give children a sense of belonging. Situated in a rural location, the home boasts a spacious outdoor area with expansive views. The children all enjoy playing games outside.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health and emotional needs are prioritised by staff. Staff encourage children to attend routine health appointments and specialist appointments. Therefore, children remain in good health, and their well-being is promoted. Children benefit from access to the in-house therapist who is available to support them when needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in a wide range of outdoor activities, including ghyll scrambling, canoeing, wild swimming, climbing and mountain biking. They also enjoy gaming and going to the cinema. This supports children’s confidence and social skills and gives them opportunities to make friends and connections in their local community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children in spending time with people who are important to them. Staff work closely with children’s families and encourage children to spend time with them. Staff take one child to spend time with their family. The child’s social worker said, ‘The staff are really aware of the complexities for the child at family time and have advocated for change to support the child.’

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

Staff understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children. They demonstrate their knowledge of the children’s risks and vulnerabilities and how to respond to them to ensure that they remain safe. Staff follow risk management and Inspection report for children’s home: 1249123 4 support plans and provide good-quality care, which has resulted in reduced risks for the children.

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

Due to the positive relationships that staff and the manager have built with the children, they are able to de-escalate incidents effectively. Physical holds are used proportionately to safeguard children. Following each incident, staff and the manager talk to the children to help them reflect and share any worries or ideas about how to better manage these incidents. This helps the children to manage their feelings and emotions.

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

Staff receive training in child protection and safeguarding practices. They also receive tailored training on topics relating to individual children’s needs, such as internet safety and criminal exploitation. Staff have access to a therapist to support them. This helps staff to develop more in-depth knowledge of the children. This enhances their caring practices.

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

Staff carry out child-focused sessions with children on specific topics. The risks associated with electronic cigarettes have been explored with three children. However, one child used an electronic cigarette in their bedroom. The manager acted swiftly and spoke to the child and staff about further support sessions and the no-smoking/vaping policy.

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

The manager has effective oversight of incidents and acts appropriately when serious incidents occur. This enables the manager to continually improve the quality of care that staff provide for children. Managers and staff share information with family members, carers, Ofsted and the relevant local authorities.

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

Children know how to make a complaint about things that upset or worry them. Children know they can speak to their social worker or family members and ask for an advocate to support them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by an experienced and enthusiastic manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager, deputy manager and staff are committed to providing care that helps children to reach their full potential. The staff say they feel well supported by the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of the manager. The manager includes the staff in decision-making and supports an open culture in which staff can express their ideas to develop their overall caring practices. One member of staff said, ‘The manager is always available to listen and support me when needed.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff receive a programme of training and learning that meets children’s individual needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 1249123 5 Staff benefit from regular supervision, annual appraisals, and situational supervision. These include feedback from professionals and children. This helps the manager and staff to consistently reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular team meetings take place, which are well attended by staff. Staff share information and discuss children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has positive relationships with professionals involved in the children’s care. Professionals speak highly of the manager. One social worker said, ‘The manager is really good. The care [name of child] receives is lovely and caring. They are making progress and doing well being at the home, which is great.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. The manager uses the independent person’s feedback to improve the care offered to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff are proactive in keeping updated on legislation changes and best practices. This helps to ensure that the care provided to children is reflective and current. Inspection report for children’s home: 1249123 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff encourage children to take a proactive role in looking after their day-to-day health and well-being, specifically around the use of e-cigarettes. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.10)

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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: 1249123 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fitzroy Academy, Cruckton, Shrewsbury SY5 8PR

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Inspector

Deborah Turner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1249123 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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