Children's Home run by Cohen Care Ltd in Slough

Inspection report for children’s home: 2808006 1 Registered provider: Cohen Care Ltd

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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 privately owned home provides care for up to three children who may experience social,social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since November 2024.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2808006 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say that they feel happy and well supported by staff. One child described support from staff as ‘exceptional’. Staff are attuned to the children’s needs and children can confidently share their worries with staff. When one child was upset about one of their schoolteachers leaving, staff supported them emotionally and encouraged them to express their thoughts and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress. One child is better able to cope with their feelings and emotions. Using an emotions diary, the child can express and reflect on their feelings. Staff do this to gain insight into the child’s thoughts and provide support in line with the children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well supported to engage in education. One child attends school full time with good attendance. Staff are advocating for another child to ensure progress in securing a suitable school that meets their needs. They are currently providing engaging activities to keep the child learning and stimulated.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to develop independence skills. One child, who was previously reliant on staff for meal preparation, is now learning to cook and can prepare their own food. This builds confidence and important life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are healthy. Staff support them to meet their health needs by encouraging a healthy diet and regular exercise and attending health appointments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in a range of activities of interest, including football, swimming and bowling.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers listen to children’s views. Children have meaningful opportunities to express their wishes and feelings. The manager takes a proactive approach, meeting with each child individually every week. As result, children feel heard, valued and supported.

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

A positive culture of safeguarding is established in the home. Staff recognise the value of multi-agency support to ensure that children are safe. Safeguarding concerns are recorded clearly and reported appropriately to social workers. However, not all serious incidents have been reported to Ofsted as required by regulations.

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

Since the admission of one child, staff have used physical interventions, but only as a last resort. Physical interventions are clearly recorded, and the manager has oversight of all the incidents to encourage transparency and ensure safe practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2808006 3 The manager takes a proactive and child-focused approach in overseeing incidents. Staff and children receive emotional support following each incident to explore the reasons behind the behaviour. This helps to identify any areas of learning to reduce the need for physical interventions. As a result, the use of physical interventions has reduced significantly.

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

Children have positive relationships with staff. Staff are attuned to the children’s needs, so children can seek support freely from trusted adults. During the inspection, one child was greeted with hugs and smiles from staff on their return from school. Staff show an interest in how the child’s day has been. This helps children feel secure in the knowledge that they are wanted and loved within the home.

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

Staff receive regular training in line with children’s needs. Therefore, children receive care and support from staff that is well informed and meets their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a reflective registered manager who knows the staff and children well. She leads by example to support and develop the staff team. The manager is actively involved in the children’s day-to-day care. The manager and staff have high aspirations for each child and work hard to help children to enjoy their childhoods.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the home’s strengths and areas that need improvement. She is proactive in seeking additional training for staff in line with their development needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager oversees the home effectively. However, some of the systems used were not clear with regard to how to maintain effective management oversight if the manager is absent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by managers and describe the working environment as positive. One staff member said: ‘There is a strong sense of mutual support and a spirit of teamwork that is truly remarkable.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are supported through regular supervision. There are opportunities for staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works well with key professionals to best support the children. Feedback from external professionals and parents is positive. They commended staff’s understanding of the children’s needs and feel they communicate relevant information well. They attributed children’s progress to the support from staff. One parent said: ‘I am a very happy parent that my son is under the care of the home and their team.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2808006 4

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that there are clear arrangements in place to maintain effective management when the manager is absent, off duty or on leave. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

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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: 2808006 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 268 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4DX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Muhammed Choudhary

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Inspector

Chido Mangava, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2808006 6 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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