Children's Home run by First 4 Care Limited in Doncaster

Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 1 Registered provider: First 4 Care 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 owned and run by a private provider. It is registered to provide care and support for up to two children with learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2020.

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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

Date of last inspection: 5 February 2025

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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: 2575463 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/02/2025 Full Outstanding 11/10/2023 Full Outstanding 24/01/2023 Full Good 08/03/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff working in the home nurture the children and understand their needs extremely well. They recognise and are responsive to subtle changes in the children’s demeanour and behaviour. Staff observe children’s body language and gestures and are skilled at interpreting these. The children have trusting relationships with the staff who support them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children make excellent progress from their starting points in the home. They make progress in all areas of their lives and adults in the home encourage them to continually build on their achievements. Children are growing in confidence and are now more comfortable attending health appointments, which they have previously struggled to engage with.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children take part in a wide range of activities which reflect their interests. Staff remain sensitive to the children’s changing needs and interests as they grow. Staff support the children to explore new hobbies and activities and work effectively with other professionals, including children’s schools. The staff plan together effectively so that children do not become overloaded and independence work takes place at a pace suited to the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff meet the children’s cultural needs, including their dietary requirements and cultural dress. Staff support children to learn about and appreciate other cultures. They learn about important festivals and occasions with the children using accessible books and activities to prepare children for these events.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported to have regular family time when this is safe. Staff support this through planning activities and making sure that families feel welcome at the home. Staff also support children to visit their home and spend time with families who live further away.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child has restrictions placed on them through a legal order. The restrictions set out in the order do not negatively impact on the other child in the home.

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

Children’s plans and risk assessments are clear and concise and give clear instructions to staff who work with them. The plans include strategies that work for children and inform the adults as to how they should respond to minimise risks. Staff support children to take safe and age-appropriate risks. This positive attitude improves the life experience of the children.

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

There have been no physical interventions with children in the home since the previous inspection. Staff are skilled in supporting children to manage their emotions safely. Staff Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 4 use therapeutic approaches with children which help children to feel safer. Appropriate levels of supervision ensure that children are always kept safe.

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

One child has restrictions imposed through a court order. Staff plan and work with the child to reduce these restrictions over time. The child’s progress is regularly reviewed, demonstrating considerable progress. Staff remain sensitive to the child’s feelings, and their dignity is promoted.

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

Managers complete thorough checks when they recruit new team members to the home and only familiar staff work with the children in the home. This reduces risks to children as it identifies staff who may not be suitable to work in the home.

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

The manager has effective systems for administering medication to children and there have been no errors during the inspection period. Staff are well-trained and understand the risks associated with children’s complex health conditions and follow individual emergency protocols when needed, without delay. Staff are confident to challenge health professionals if necessary to ensure that they receive the best treatment possible.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is established in his role and has strong, trusting relationships with the children. He knows and understands children’s needs extremely well and uses research to broaden his and the team’s knowledge The manager is driven by children’s outcomes. He is child-focused and supports and challenges the team to help children have the best life chances.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff working in the home are dedicated to their role and enjoy being part of a cohesive team. They feel extremely well supported by the manager, who makes time to support their development. The care and commitment the manager models are mirrored by other staff working in the home. A professional said, ‘It is such a positive home for [child’s name]. They have come on leaps and bounds.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and senior team members benefit from recent training on reflective supervision. The quality of reflection is evident in staff records and staff adapt their practice and develop as a result of this. Supervision sessions are also directive at times and have clear agreed actions which are reviewed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager actively seeks the children’s views through various methods. Communication tools are accessible to children to help them. The manager also seeks feedback from others so that he can continually improve practice in the home and the lives of the children. The newly appointed independent visitor visits the home regularly and submits detailed reports. These reports provide a regular evaluation of the children’s experiences in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager forges close working relationships with other agencies and pursues consistency for the children across settings. He constructively challenges other Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 5 professionals if he has any concerns or questions and maintains positive working relationships with them. The manager continually seeks to develop his own understanding of the children’s needs and positive childcare practice.

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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: 2575463 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: First 4 Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 St Wilfrid’s Road, Doncaster DN4 6AA

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Inspector

Carol Jagger, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2575463 7 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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