Children's home run by Assisted Living Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2809785 1 Registered provider: Assisted Living Care Group Limited

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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 home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to two children with emotional and social difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 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: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2809785 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is very happy living at this home. He loves spending time with staff. There are strong and positive relationships between the staff and child. A family member said, ‘I can’t find any fault. My son is happy and has thrived so much since being here, which is absolutely fantastic. He feels content and comfortable. Such an amazing home with amazing staff.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the child very well. They understand his specific needs and the way he communicates. He can express his wishes, feelings and choices. Words, pictures and symbols are used to help explain things to the child. Regular one-to-one conversations take place between the child and staff and manager.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s care plan is very clear and detailed. The manager reviews and updates this regularly. It includes expected outcomes for each area of his life. The plan clearly shows the child as fun and caring. It guides staff in the specific way to care for him and meet his needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Individual goals are set to help the child become more independent. They focus on his skills and abilities. He has made significant progress in many areas. For example, personal care and household tasks. Also, communication and coping with time in the community with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to remain healthy. This includes wellness exercises of deep breathing and stretching. He is helped to eat a more varied diet and has reduced weight. He is supported at medical appointments. This includes with specialist mental health and learning disability nurses.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Formal education is not currently available for the child. However, extensive efforts are made by the manager. She works with other professionals to source a school provision. Home tutoring bridges the gap until a school place is offered. Staff help the child to learn each day.

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

Staff manage any of the child’s unwanted behaviours well. They recognise when the child is getting upset or anxious. Physical intervention has not been required. However, staff are trained in de-escalation, and safe intervention should this be necessary.

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

The manager and staff understand the deprivation of liberty safeguards for the child. They know what impact this has on the child. The child has been kept safe. The child does not go missing from the home. He is always supervised by two staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2809785 3 Risks to the child are understood very well by staff. A comprehensive risk assessment identifies risk to the child. Ways to minimise risk are identified. The assessment is reviewed regularly by the manager. Some risks have significantly reduced whilst living at this home.

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

The child’s behaviour support plan is comprehensive. It explains how he presents when settled. It describes what may happen when he becomes agitated or upset. The way staff should care for the child at these times is clearly identified.

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

Occasionally, the child may use behaviour that causes harm. When this happens, staff record it well. The manager has good oversight of any incidents. The child and staff are supported well. This helps them to understand what happened and why. Different ways of working are identified to help reduce this harm.

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

The manager ensures that safe recruitment practice is used for all new starters at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff like working at this home. They are very well supported by the manager and the responsible individual. They are involved in decision making. They feel able to talk to the manager about anything.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff’s strengths and areas for further development are identified by the manager. She has good workforce development and home improvement plan. She has also completed a very good review of care. It is evaluative and shows the progress the child has made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager holds regular team meetings. They are productive and staff contribute to discussions. They also feel able to raise any issues. A quiz has been added to the team meeting agenda. This helps to check staff’s understanding of the child and care given. It also identifies knowledge of safeguarding, legislation and policies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive monthly one-to-one professional supervision with the manager. They value this time to reflect on their practice. Staff training is discussed alongside a review of their development plan. Many of the staff are working towards their qualification. They are due to complete their diploma soon.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The responsible individual visits the home each week. She contacts the manager daily. Monthly supervision takes place. The manager feels very well supported by the responsible individual. She said, ‘since day one she has been brilliant.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has comprehensive oversight of the home. She sits and talks with the child often and observes staff practice. She completes regular quality assurance audits. Management oversight is clearly recorded on all documents and plans. This helps staff to learn from the manager. Inspection report for children’s home: 2809785 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: 2809785 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Assisted Living Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Innovation Centre, Green Street, Northampton NN1 1SY

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2809785 6 inspects to 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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