Children's Home run by The Caldecott Foundation Limited in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC466284 1 SC466284 Registered provider: The Caldecott Foundation Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home cares for up to seven children who may have social and emotional needs. The home comprises of two separate buildings on the same site. At the time of the inspection, renovation work was being undertaken on the smaller building and no children were living in it. There was one child living within the main home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a suitably qualified and registered manager.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC466284 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/04/2024 Full Outstanding 05/09/2023 Full Outstanding 28/09/2022 Full Outstanding 04/10/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC466284 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children make excellent progress and staff want the best for children. Children are happy and at ease with staff, who are nurturing and caring in their responses to children. Children’s needs, wishes and feelings are at the heart of everything staff do.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are consulted about their views. Children’s meetings take place and are child- centred, supporting children to engage. Excellent, individualised key-working sessions show that children voice their views and opinions. Sessions are tailored to the specific needs of the children. Staff connect behaviours to feelings and speak with children about different ways to manage their emotions. Children are listened to, and their views are valued by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children with their education. One child has found a joy of reading and now does this as a hobby. One child has struggled with education. The manager sought advice from the Children’s Commissioner to progress his school place, the child is now in education. One professional said, ‘The child has come on in leaps and bounds in terms of his social development over the time we have known him. They have a good understanding of his needs and work hard to meet them.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Care planning for children is exceptional. When children move out of the home, staff ensure these moves are well planned and consider individual children’s needs. Planning is completed in advance, ensuring positive endings for children. This excellent practice has resulted in children remaining in touch with staff who continue to be part of their support network. In preparation for children moving in, the manager actively involves children living in the home in design of bedrooms. This ensures children feel valued and included.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are helped to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff work in partnership with children’s families to ensure appropriate relationships are maintained. Progress for one child has meant they were able to see their family members without staff having to be present. Children develop friendships and spend time with their friends in and out of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported to enjoy celebrations. This develops positive memories for children. Staff use research informed practice related to the difficulties children in care may experience, such as around times of celebration. Cultural heritage of children and staff is celebrated. Memory books for children show their time at the home and positive experiences they have. Children attend local clubs which support their social and emotional development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is welcoming, warm and homely, and children are encouraged to choose their own decorative style in their bedroom. Children who lived at the home previously have continued their relationships with other children and staff and visit for special Inspection report for children’s home: SC466284 4 celebrations. There is a real feel of family within the home which is natural and nurturing.

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

Children have excellent relationships with staff. Safety plans are clear and help staff understand how best to support children. Staff monitor and track behaviours through observation and curiosity. They identify triggers and tailor their responses accordingly.

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

The response of staff and managers to significant incidents is exceptional, with the primary concern being the safety of children. Both children and staff are supported afterwards with their emotional well-being.

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

There has been a significant reduction in the use of physical interventions. When physical intervention is used, it is recorded clearly. Debriefs and reflections with children and staff are thorough. One child was really struggling with their emotional well-being. Staff reviewed and analysed patterns, resulting in positive reduction in interventions for the child.

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

When children make allegations, management take prompt and effective action to safeguard children and adults. Follow up work is undertaken with children to help them understand decisions made. This is done in an age-appropriate way and supports ongoing relationships between children and staff.

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

Children do not go missing from home. Children do not make any complaints. Children are safe and the risks to them are minimal.

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

Staff communicate effectively and work well with other professionals involved in children’s lives. Specialist services are accessed in relation to children’s emotional well- being and education. Managers confidently challenge others to ensure children’s needs and plans are met.

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

Staff seek appropriate support related to children’s health needs. Medication is managed well within the home, alongside fire safety and health and safety procedures.

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

The location safety review does not consider the most up to date local crime information and it does not have up to date consultation with professionals. This impacts staff knowledge about managing risks in the local area.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by a committed, caring and motivational manager who knows the children and their needs exceptionally well. The manager and deputy manager work together collaboratively and lead by example. Staff feel very well supported as a team and enjoy their role. They feel able to approach management on a formal and informal basis. Staff aspire for children and celebrate the progress children make. One member of staff said, ‘I feel fully supported by my manager who leads with empathy, encourages Inspection report for children’s home: SC466284 5 open communication, and ensures that the team feels empowered and confident in delivering the highest standard of care. It’s a place where both staff and children are truly supported to thrive.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from regular supervision and team meetings. They are held frequently and consider the individual needs of children, and the support staff require to undertake their role. Staff have support from therapists which helps them to reflect and implement the therapeutic model of the home. Staff are encouraged and supported with their continued professional development through regular training. Overall, the team are well qualified and experienced.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has clear oversight of the home and ensures staff are well informed. Management undertake regular audits which identify the strengths and challenges of the home. Staff complete end of day debriefs which are concise, clear and identify any ongoing actions. Case records are generally detailed, written to the child and evaluative, however there are some gaps in recording related to decision making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff work extremely well with external agencies. They advocate for children and their individual needs. This includes working with external professionals as necessary to ensure children’s needs are met. This has resulted in evidence of positive change related to education, family time and transitions for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is evidence of continuous progression for children over the last year, covering all areas of their development, education, health needs and experiences. One parent said, ‘The staff have done a fantastic job, I could not fault them. I could not have asked for better care’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC466284 6

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Recommendations

 Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording ensuring records are complete related to decision making. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that the information recorded within the location risk assessment is correct and up to date. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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: SC466284 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Caldecott Foundation Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Caldecott House, Hythe Road, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent TN25 6SP

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Inspectors

Kathryn Hurley, Social Care Inspector Lorna Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC466284 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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