Children's home run by Your Chapter Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1240844 1 Registered provider: Your Chapter

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2024. He also manages another setting.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in the home at the time of this inspection. The inspector spoke with both children about their experiences.

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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: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1240844 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/06/2024 Full Good 16/01/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/10/2023 Full Inadequate 19/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1240844 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have made exceptional progress from their individual starting points. Staff take time to get to know children, which means that they receive individualised care. Children have built trusting relationships with staff who understand their strengths and vulnerabilities. One child said, ‘The manager is like a dad to me. He gives me chances. He doesn’t give up on me.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy spending time together, and with staff. They are provided with new and exciting opportunities and are encouraged to spend time outdoors. For example, children have enjoyed a camping trip and regularly spend time in the Lake District. Children spoke enthusiastically about climbing a mountain and the sense of achievement this gave them. One child has also experienced a holiday abroad. Plans for children to go on holiday oversees together are being progressed. These experiences support children to have fun and develop their confidence and self-belief.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s identity and cultural needs are known and understood. Staff support children to embrace and celebrate their uniqueness. Children say they can be themselves and feel accepted for who they are as individuals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children speak positively about the care they receive. Staff support them to recognise the positive progress they are making. When one child was struggling to settle into the home, the manager quickly ensured that additional support was made available. As a result, the child has developed strategies to manage their emotions in healthy ways.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s educational attendance and attainment has improved. One child has completed their GCSE exams. Managers and staff work with multi-agency professionals to ensure that children are supported to achieve their educational goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s health needs are known and understood by staff. When children express concerns about their health, they are responded to quickly. Specialist support is made available to children when this is needed. One child spoke about experiencing dental issues, which are now being resolved. This has had a positive impact on the child’s self- esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported to spent time with people who are important to them. One child spends time with family at weekends. Staff check in with them regularly to ensure that they are safe. The importance of maintaining childhood friendships is recognised by staff. Staff support children to spend safe time with friends who live some distance away.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children live in a comfortable home that has a family feel. Photographs of children are displayed throughout the home. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their individual tastes and provide a relaxing space for children to spend time. Inspection report for children’s home: 1240844 4

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

Risk assessments and plans are clear, easy to understand and effective in helping staff to keep children safe. Plans are explained to children, and they contribute to them in a meaningful way. Children’s views about how they need to be supported are known and implemented by staff.

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

Plans are updated regularly to consider new and emerging risks and vulnerabilities. Staff talk to children about issues that may impact on their safety and well-being. Staff use resources to support conversations with children about the risks they may face from vaping, substance misuse and online safety. Specialist support has been provided to children when this has been necessary.

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

Managers and staff provide a robust response to safeguarding concerns. Children rarely go missing from home. On occasions when one child went missing from home, staff were proactive and worked effectively with other professionals to locate the child. Staff check children’s bedrooms when there are concerns for their safety. Children are helped to understand why this has been necessary.

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

A nurturing environment supports children to manage their feelings safely. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques to prevent behaviours from escalating. Restraint is rarely used and is a last resort to protect children from harm.

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

Children know what is expected of them, and positive behaviour is consistently promoted. Children are rewarded when they have done well. Consequences are proportionate and help children to understand cause and effect.

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

Children are helped to develop their independence skills. A plan of work helps children to develop life-skills that will benefit them when they move on from the home. This includes support to manage money, travel independently and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by an experienced, knowledgeable manager. He has high aspirations for children and ensures that they receive high-quality care. Managers are strong advocates for children, and there is a clear focus on improving their experiences and outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children are supported by a committed, stable staff team. Staff say they are supported by managers to develop in their role. One member of staff said, ‘The support, consistency and leadership from our manager and deputy have made the biggest difference not just for staff, but especially for the children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision. These sessions focus on children’s needs and staff practice. The skills and knowledge of staff are regularly tested out. Support is provided when this is necessary. Staff well-being is considered, and the emotional impact of the role is acknowledged. Appraisals acknowledge staff strengths and areas for Inspection report for children’s home: 1240844 5 development. The appraisal process could be further enhanced by including the views of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings are well planned and well attended. They are used to discuss children’s needs, and the expectations of staff. They are collaborative, and staff share ideas about how children should be cared for. For example, goals and incentives for children are discussed and agreed within this forum. A commissioned therapist spends time in the home. They regularly attend team meetings to provide advice and guidance to staff. This support is valued by the team and helps them to think about how they can support children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have robust oversight of the home and its operation, alongside the progress children are making. Managers are aware of strengths and areas for development in the home. Children and staff benefit from the strong leadership provided by managers. Inspection report for children’s home: 1240844 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff appraisals take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of children and other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 1240844 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Your Chapter Ltd, 3 Oakwater Avenue, Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle SK8 3SR

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Inspector

Anna Belshaw, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1240844 8 regulates and 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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