Children's Home run by Fledglings Child Care Limited in Manchester

Inspection report for children’s home: 2773737 1 Registered provider: Fledglings Child Care Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties. There were two children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2025.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 18 September 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2773737 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2773737 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spoke with both children during this inspection.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, there have been no changes to the children living at the home. The children said that they like living at the home and that they have good relationships with the staff. As a result, the children are making good progress.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child attends a local adult learning centre. This continues to work well for them and provides them with a clear structure and routine. Another child is currently being tutored in the home. The hours have recently been increased and the child is working towards sitting their functional skills exams. They have not attended school for some time, so this is a real achievement for them. The staff also engage the child in appropriate activities when they are not in school so that they can continue to promote their learning.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and the children keep their rooms tidy. There are areas of the home that require repainting. However, this has been arranged. Additionally, there were some issues with the closing of some of the fire doors. The manager was aware of these and the work was completed on the first day of the inspection.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A focus for the staff team has been to help prepare children for their next move. The manager has implemented an independence plan. The children are making good progress with this, developing lifelong skills, such as being able to travel independently, budgeting, managing medication and interpersonal skills.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are important to the staff and children are actively involved in their care planning. The manager seeks children’s feedback on the staff and the care that they receive. However, children do not have advocates that will help them to ensure they continue to be listened to when planning their futures.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are generally well met. They are listened to if they have concerns about their health and the appropriate action is taken. However, one child has a physio plan that they have not been supported and encouraged to follow. This could prevent a worsening of symptoms for the child.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have developed their self-confidence since living at this home. For example, one child no longer covers their face when speaking to people. Another child can now go out in the community independently and has recently completed their camping trip for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a variety of activities and the staff encourage their hobbies and interests. For example, one child has drumming and football lessons. The children say that they get on well, but it is their choice not to spend a great deal of time together. However, they have enjoyed trips out together occasionally. Inspection report for children’s home: 2773737 4 Children can experience difficulties in their relationships with their families. However, these are supported and encouraged by the staff and parents say that communication between them and the staff is good.

p.3

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

There are very few incidents involving the children, reflecting the positive relationships that they have with the staff. Children’s risks have reduced as a result of living in the home and they respond well to the boundaries and expectations that the staff promote.

p.4

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

Children are supported by the staff to understand the risks that are relevant to them. For example, staff have open and honest conversations with children about knife crime, exploitation, safe sex and substance misuse. The children engage in these conversations and these help to equip children with the knowledge they need to keep themselves safe.

p.4

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

When incidents do occur, they are well recorded and the manager has evaluated the records. Records clearly demonstrate the support that the staff offer the children on these occasions. However, there is not always the appropriate follow-up in terms of obtaining or offering children other support and medical services, for example if a child is intoxicated or has hurt themselves. This is a missed opportunity for the staff to completely assure themselves that the children’s well-being is promoted.

p.4

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

Consequences are rarely used. Rewards and incentives are the preferred method of behaviour support for children. However, when consequences have been used, they are appropriate and effective.

p.4

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

The manager has ensured that the children receive appropriate assessments and challenged appropriately when the need for these has been questioned. These assessments will support children and the staff to continue to make choices that will keep them safe.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced and manages another of the company’s homes. The manager knows the children well and has built good relationships with them. As a result, he understands the care and support that they need. He manages a staff team that is committed to the children’s development and giving them positive experiences.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team has been relatively consistent and since the last inspection, the provider has not had to use agency staff. The manager ensures that he follows safer recruitment practices that reduce the risk of unsuitable people working with the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person visits monthly and raises actions to improve the quality of care provided to the children, which the manager completes in a timely manner. Inspection report for children’s home: 2773737 5 The staff feel supported and appreciated by the manager and they receive regular supervision sessions that are child focused. There are also regular team meetings where staff can share their individual knowledge. However, the wider practice of safeguarding children is not routinely discussed and some of the bank staff have not completed safeguarding training. This is a missed opportunity to continue to ensure that all staff learn, refresh and reflect on this. Inspection report for children’s home: 2773737 6

p.4

Statutory requirement

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

p.6

Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to the registered manager ensuring that staff obtain and offer appropriate support or medical services after incidents of self-harm, injury or when children are intoxicated.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This further relates to ensuring that staff are aware of children’s physio plans and that children are supported and encouraged to complete recommended exercises. 4 July 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2773737 7

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children have access to appropriate advocacy support and where possible this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.16)  The registered person should ensure that staff skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed and recorded. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12)

p.7

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: 2773737 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Fledglings Child Care Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Colonnade House, 1st Floor, 163 Kingsway, Manchester M19 2ND

p.8

Inspector

Kerri Lynch, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2773737 9 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9