Children's home run by Almond Care Children’s Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2764431 1 Registered provider: Almond Care Children’s Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately operated. It provides care for up to two children with learning disabilities who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. No other children have lived at the home during this inspection period.

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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: 3 December 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2764431 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2764431 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child living at the home receives a standard of care that exceeds good. The child has developed warm and trusting relationships with staff and is now well settled at the home. Staff care for the child in a consistent and nurturing manner, and the child is making excellent progress as a result. There has been a particular focus on developing the child’s speech and language. The use of communication aids has helped the child to begin speaking in full sentences for the first time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Care plans for the child are excellent; they help staff to clearly understand the child’s current needs in the wider context of their historical experiences. Plans are regularly updated with nuanced information that informs staff about how to care for the child most effectively. A consistent approach from staff has supported the child in making significant progress with their independence, which has increased their self-confidence. Staff have helped the child contribute to their care plans by appropriately adapting them to support their understanding.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is well maintained. It is decorated in a vibrant, child-centred style. There are several spaces where the child can explore crafts or play. The garden is well maintained and has lots of play equipment, which the child particularly enjoys using. Outside the home, the child enjoys exploring their interests and has multiple opportunities to join community groups and experience new activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff understand how important the child’s family is to her. Staff support family time effectively and ensure that it occurs regularly. Staff understand how to communicate effectively with family members, and this has nurtured an effective working relationship, particularly with immediate family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff deeply care for the child and strive to ensure that their voice is heard in the home. Meaningful conversations occur regularly, which staff approach in a playful and child- centred manner. The child is becoming increasingly confident in sharing their feelings and influencing the care offered in the home. Staff help the child learn about puberty and understand issues such as stranger danger. These areas are important for the child.

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

The child is settled and stable at the home. She has not been involved in any serious incidents, has not gone missing, has not been physically held, and has not engaged in behaviours that could place her at risk of harm. Staff are extremely committed to the child and help her understand and label her feelings. Professionals who know the child well said that she is happy and comfortable at the home.

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

The staff thoroughly understand the risks to the child, and the risks are documented clearly in risk assessments. These documents are comprehensive and provide pragmatic Inspection report for children’s home: 2764431 4 advice for staff to follow. They assist the staff in understanding what might trigger the risk or behaviour and how they can work with the child to prevent an incident from occurring or escalating. Despite there being no serious incidents during this period, risk assessments and behaviour support plans are regularly reviewed. Staff understand the child’s vulnerability, particularly when in the community, and they understand that there can be no assumptions regarding safety.

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

Staff are sensitively supporting the child in exploring their identity and cultural heritage. Staff recognise that while this remains an important part of who the child is, it must be approached at a pace that is comfortable for her. The manager advocates well for the child in this regard, particularly with the wider familial network. Staff have supported the child in exploring their interests, likes and dislikes. As a result, the child is developing a real sense of self.

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

The child receives support in taking medication to aid their sleep, and there are clear administrative and auditing processes in place to ensure that the medication is taken regularly and administered correctly. The child is now well rested before each school day. As a result, the child is now ready to learn and is making progress in their academic attainment.

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

The child is being supported to engage in community-based volunteering, such as litter picking. This is helping the child understand how to be a responsible citizen and encouraging their communication with wider members of the community. Staff acknowledge and celebrate the child’s achievements, however big or small. They have developed an age-appropriate incentive system that the child understands and responds well to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A committed, engaged and tenacious manager runs the home. She is ambitious both for the child and the staff. She has nurtured a cohesive team, and staff look to her to develop their knowledge and model excellent practice. Staff are invested in the home’s ethos of providing a nurturing environment in which the child can reach their full potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is currently a small but consistent staff team at the home. Staff are appropriately qualified and experienced. Additional staff training has been prioritised, and staff undertake this regularly. The manager has been committed to sourcing bespoke training, and consequently staff have had a breadth of specialist learning. This ensures that the child receives care from staff who have the necessary knowledge and skills to meet their complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager understands the importance of thorough and insightful quality assurance systems. She has comprehensive oversight of the home and understands the impact of the care offered. Staff recognise the importance of maintaining comprehensive records and ensuring their timely completion. This enables the manager to know the areas of Inspection report for children’s home: 2764431 5 strength and development. The child’s progress is well understood, and staff are continually aspirational for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff support systems are of very good quality and offered consistently. Staff value supervision sessions and team meetings as opportunities to reflect, professionally challenge, and learn. A clear appraisal system ensures that staff feel valued and encouraged to develop professionally. Staff feel well prepared for and supported in their roles. Staff speak with love and care about the child. Staff spoken to said that they feel the home is like a family.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals spoken to were consistently positive about the care offered to the child. They said that staff communicate effectively with them and recognise the substantial progress the child is making. One professional said, ‘I quite honestly can’t think of a better care setting for the child.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2764431 6

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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: 2764431 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Almond Care Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4 Barling Way, Nuneaton CV10 7RH

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Suzannah Reuben-Hughes

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Inspector

Louise Copping, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2764431 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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