Children's Home run by Strides Childcare Services Ltd in Redbridge

Inspection report for children’s home: 2700344 1 Registered provider: Strides Childcare Services 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 five children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in October 2022, and the manager registered with Ofsted on 9 April 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 outstanding

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2700344 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/05/2024 Full Good 26/09/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2700344 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and managers have learned from the experiences of children who have previously lived in the home, to make continuous improvements. The children currently living in the home are making good progress and are cared for by a dedicated and stable staff team. Staff are highly skilled, proficient and sensitive to the specific needs of each child who lives in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have an exceptional understanding of how children’s feelings and experiences underpin their behaviours. As a result, staff provide targeted support to address previous trauma. This allows children to gain improved control over their own emotions, behaviours and, ultimately, their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work closely with multi-agency professionals. They engage with and support early reunification assessments to directly inform children’s longer-term care planning. This demonstrates that children’s best interests are at the forefront of all decision-making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are a top priority for staff. Children are registered with the appropriate health services and supported to attend appointments. Children with significant health needs are supported well by staff to talk to health professionals about their views, wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote the importance of education. Three children are attending education provisions, and one child is being tutored through online education. Staff understand the importance of education in securing positive outcomes for children. They advocate for children who experience barriers to their education to ensure that they receive the right support to meet their individual needs and enable them to make good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience enriching activities and opportunities to try new things. Children take part in a range of activities, including day trips, go-karting, escape room activities and attending the gym. Two children have had holidays in the United Kingdom. Children are helped to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Reward schemes are in place to help build independence skills, and children routinely work with staff to make exciting and nutritious meals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff informally support the children to develop their independence skills through encouraging their involvement in household tasks, such as cooking and tidying up their bedroom. Staff also help children to develop their awareness of potential dangers and how to keep safe. The support provided by the staff helps the children earn money to gradually manage greater personal responsibility and prepare them for later life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to ensuring that the children enjoy regular and meaningful time with their family. Staff have built positive relationships with family members, which have helped them to develop a consistent network of adults around the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2700344 4

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

Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities and know how to keep them safe. Staff confidently understand children’s risks and manage them well by supporting children to understand the dangers and potential impact on them. Staff take appropriate action when children are involved in significant incidents. Their swift action and understanding of children and their plans help to keep children safe.

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

Physical intervention is used only as a last resort to protect children and others from harm. However, when used, it is in line with children’s safety plans. The children are sensitively supported to understand why staff needed to use holds to keep them safe.

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

Children know how to make a complaint. They report concerns to the managers and staff. Leaders and managers respond to all complaints. They ensure that these are assessed and escalated for further investigation if required. Allegations are reported to relevant child protection agencies and thoroughly investigated. Leaders and managers notify Ofsted of significant incidents as required. However, on one occasion, they did not update the regulator following an incident of concern.

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

Incidents in the home have decreased. This is due to children settling and building secure relationships with staff and other children from the outset. Clear behaviour support plans and weekly goals indicating the home’s expectations support children to improve their behaviour. Meaningful, reflective discussions take place with children and staff.

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

Children complete regular key-work sessions, which are appropriate to children’s individual needs. Children are at the centre of practice and are encouraged to explore their aspirations. This has included children going away with staff, and these experiences are celebrated.

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

Staff are not afraid to tackle sensitive subjects with the children. Staff have discussed criminal behaviours, misuse of power and sexual abuse. Staff use these discussions to empower children and develop their knowledge. Consequently, children’s increased understanding encourages them to make positive choices in their own lives.

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

The registered manager takes swift action in response to safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding referrals are made promptly, and the children’s professionals are contacted without delay. However, on one occasion, further update on a safeguarding incident was not reported to Ofsted.

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

Managers carry out necessary checks before new staff start working at the home. However, one staff file had gaps in their employment history, which was not fully scrutinised. Inspection report for children’s home: 2700344 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is a confident leader who has the highest ambitions for children. They are highly respected by professionals and the staff team. Children are very fond of the registered manager, and this is reciprocated. The registered manager’s influence and approach have created a nurturing and loving environment in which children make good progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager routinely collaborates with other professionals to ensure that children’s needs are met. Feedback from professionals indicates that the registered manager consistently has the children’s needs at the front and centre of his decision- making. They continue to provide safety, security and boundaries.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager also develops practice through research and learning from serious case reviews relating to children’s residential care. Following their review of one case study, the registered manager implemented a new therapeutic model of care. This is embedded through children’s care plans, individual sessions and discussions with staff. Staff training is enhanced by activities where staff can build on their learning in areas such as early life trauma, impact on attachments and examples of practical ways to build on relationships, trust and resilience. As a result, staff have an excellent understanding of trauma and attachment difficulties. This helps staff to achieve remarkably strong bonds with children. Consequently, children feel emotionally supported by the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Management oversight is comprehensive. Records are monitored regularly by the registered manager, with meaningful evaluation and comment. Internal and external monitoring systems are used to review the quality of care and children’s progress. Excellent oversight of the home ensures that ongoing improvements are made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff unanimously report feeling supported and inspired by the registered manager. Some staff confirmed that this was why they remained working in the home. Consequently, the staff team is stable. The registered manager encourages opportunities for reflection, including handovers and team meetings. As a result, staff feel valued and able to manage their role, which can be emotionally challenging at times. The registered manager has high aspirations for all staff, including leadership development for the deputy manager and seniors. He oversees staff performance through regular supervision and performance appraisals. Inspection report for children’s home: 2700344 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they inform Ofsted, where appropriate, of updates relating to significant incidents previously reported. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ Page 63 paragraph 14.10)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they follow good employment practice and undertake all relevant checks when recruiting staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: 2700344 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Strides Childcare Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 39 Woodgrange Avenue, Enfield EN1 1EW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Patrick Nnebedum

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Inspector

Sadia Akhtar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2700344 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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