Children's Home run by Homes for Support in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 1 Registered provider: Homes for Support 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 managed by a private company. The home provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, the home was providing care for two children, who spoke to the inspector.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/05/2024 Full Good 05/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/09/2022 Full Good 19/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home, and one has moved out. When children move in or out of the home, they are well supported. The manager liaises with other professionals to support children’s transitions. Children’s views are sought, and they are supported to visit the home before moving in. Staff ensure that the views and feelings of the children living in the home are considered. One child has remained settled living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to learn. Staff ensure that children who are not in school are provided with routine and structure. There are clear expectations about children attending educational learning activities each day. One child, who has not been in formal education for a long time, has recently started to attend school. Staff stay with the child to support them if needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s health needs are well met and that they access any treatment they need. One child has been supported to attend the dentist for ongoing treatment. When this has been difficult for them, staff continue to support and encourage the child to continue treatment effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to develop hobbies and interests. Staff support and encourage children to be involved in a range of activities. The children have been on holiday at a caravan park. Staff take them out regularly in the local area to play football and visit parks, museums, farms, and pony clubs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s cultural needs and promote equality and diversity. Staff attend additional training to enhance their understanding of different cultures and religions. One child has been provided with a prayer mat, and their dietary needs are carefully considered when planning meals.

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

Staff understand the individual risks for children. Risk assessments are detailed. They are reviewed monthly or following serious incidents to ensure that all risks are known and considered. Actions required to mitigate risk are clear. Staff spend time educating children to help them understand risks and ways to keep themselves safe.

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

Staff have an excellent understanding of children’s needs and have built positive, nurturing relationships with them. Children can talk openly to staff about any worries or concerns they have. Staff listen to children and take time to explain decisions made to help develop their understanding.

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

Children rarely go missing from home. There have been two incidents since the last inspection. The missing-from-home assessments are tailored to each child. When Inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 4 children do go missing, staff understand what action they should take. They work collaboratively with other professionals and families and are proactive in searching for children. Children are welcomed back into the home, and staff spend time exploring reasons why children go missing.

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

Staff help children understand what is expected of them. They use reward charts, incentives, and consequences for unwanted behaviour. Consequences are fair and proportionate. Physical interventions are only used as a last resort and to keep children safe. However, when children are held, the duration is not clearly recorded.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by an experienced and suitably qualified manager who is aspirational about the care children receive. The manager ensures that staff have the skills to meet children’s needs and manage risks. There is also an experienced and knowledgeable deputy manager to further strengthen managerial oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, the staff team has undergone some changes. The manager has ensured that new staff are fully supported to develop skills and knowledge through induction and probationary periods. Any areas of staff development are prioritised, and the manager ensures that they receive the appropriate support. This has resulted in minimal disruption for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions, which are effective and focused on improving practice. Staff can openly talk about any issues and ask for additional support, knowing they will be listened to. They are encouraged and able to challenge practice to create change and ensure that consistent approaches are used throughout the team. Staff feel valued and enthusiastic about the care they provide. Children are provided with consistent care to help them feel safe and make good progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place monthly. They are reflective, child focused and consider future learning. Team meetings are well attended and provide an opportunity for staff to have open discussions and work together to improve the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has systems in place to monitor the quality of care and the children’s progress. They value input from the independent person and address any suggested actions promptly. Using monitoring tools, the manager quickly identified an increase in incidents for one child, including the reason behind the increase. They have been proactive in addressing the action required with staff to reduce the child’s feeling of anxiety and help them settle again. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that staff clearly record the duration of each individual physical intervention used. 31 October

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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: 2638736 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes for Support Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Northern House, 3 Kennerleys Lane, Crewe, Cheshire SK9 5EQ

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Inspector

Sarah Probert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2638736 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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