Children's Home run by Friends Together Care Homes Ltd in Doncaster

Inspection report for children’s home: 2814267 1 Registered provider: Friends Together Care Homes Ltd

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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 owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care and accommodation for three children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in the home at the time of the inspection. Both children were spoken to as part of the inspection.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2814267 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have moved into the home since it opened. The moves were well planned, and the children were made to feel welcome. The children have been encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and communal areas in the home and garden.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to enjoy new activities and experiences. Staff help the children to integrate into the local community. The children are also encouraged to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff will go above and beyond to ensure that children spend time with friends and family. This helps to ensure that children maintain strong bonds and attachments with those people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is promoted for all children. The registered manager has good connections with education professionals and specialist workers. They ensure that the children receive an education offer that is tailored to their needs. Staff have been flexible and innovative in promoting learning opportunities for the children. Children’s success is celebrated, and this makes children feel important.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to providing a stable home for the children. They listen to them and invest time in them. There are clear and consistent boundaries in the home. This helps the children to settle and develop good relationships with staff. Staff place the well-being of the children at the centre of their practice.

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

Children are encouraged to share information with staff and talk about how they are feeling or any concerns they may have. If an incident occurs, children can talk about it and explore how it made them feel. Staff are available and responsive, and this makes children feel safe.

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

Children who go missing receive a well-coordinated, timely response from staff. This makes children feel that the staff care for them. Information about missing episodes is shared in a timely manner with family members and other professionals working with the child. Independent return home interviews are offered, and children are encouraged to meet with staff to talk about the event. Key-worker sessions help children to gain a knowledge and understanding of risk.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted and celebrated in the home. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques if required. There have been no physical interventions since the home opened.

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

Children’s safety is promoted, and robust risk assessments are updated following any incidents. Information about potential risks is shared with staff to help them care for Inspection report for children’s home: 2814267 3 children effectively. The registered manager has oversight of all risk assessments and ensures that staff access and review information regularly.

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

Staff in the home understand child protection procedures. Information about any significant incidents is shared with the children’s family and professionals in a timely manner. Family members told inspectors that they felt well informed and able to contact staff if they had any queries.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A permanent and qualified registered manager manages the home. They are highly visible, and staff feel supported and safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager regularly monitors the quality of care provided. She uses audits, staff supervision and time with the children to monitor progress. Plans for children are clear and identify risk. The plans also inform staff on how to deal with challenging situations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a positive induction programme for new members of staff in the home. New team members have the opportunity to undertake training prior to starting work. They are given practical help to ensure that they are clear about using online systems to record activities with the children. Staff say that supervision is regular and supportive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a robust matching process when considering new children coming to live at the home. The registered manager uses a variety of sources and information to aid her decision-making. The needs of the children already living in the home remain paramount.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager ensures that information about the children is shared appropriately with professionals and also with family members. The registered manager looks to create opportunities where the children can celebrate success. They capture this information in writing and photographs that form part of memory boxes for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has built good relationships with family members and professionals. Family members feel confident in the service provided in the home and feel that the children are well cared for. One family member described the registered manager as remarkable. Inspection report for children’s home: 2814267 4

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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: 2814267 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Friends Together Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 7 Tenter Lane, Warmsworth, Doncaster DN4 9PP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Stacey Hargreaves

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Inspectors

Lisa Richards, Social Care Inspector Ali Owens, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2814267 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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