Children's home run by Inspire Care (UK) Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1280478 1 Registered provider: Inspire Care (UK) 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 provides care for up to four children who have experienced trauma and encounter associated difficulties with their emotional well-being.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home. The children were spoken with, and they told the inspector about their experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a registered manager who is suitably experienced and qualified.

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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: 1280478 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/07/2024 Full Outstanding 20/09/2023 Full Good 25/01/2022 Interim Not judged Inspection report for children’s home: 1280478 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is warm, welcoming and personalised to the children. Their artwork, photos and memories are displayed throughout, creating a nurturing environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children receive high-quality care from staff who know and value them. Staff build nurturing relationships with children, ensuring they feel loved, cared for and valued, which is evident in their settled behaviour and the fun they have in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children are made to feel very special. Difference is celebrated, and each child is valued for their uniqueness. For example, one child who has a diagnosis of autism has received exceptional support. Staff have supported the child to understand their diagnosis using resources that the child has chosen. All brains are celebrated, and children and staff do this together. As a result, children are developing a positive neurodivergent identity and understanding how their brains are different, not less.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s physical and emotional well-being is a priority in this home. The therapist attached to the home highlighted that the manager and staff demonstrate a strong commitment to creating an environment where children can heal and grow. As part of this commitment, the manager has converted an external building into a dedicated therapy room. This space offers children a safe, private setting where they can express themselves without judgement or interruption and begin to process past trauma.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers and staff are strong advocates for children’s education. They recognise how this can increase opportunities and life chances for children. The manager is not afraid to challenge others when she feels decisions are not being made in children’s best interests. As a result, all children are making excellent progress and feel empowered to seek support when they face challenges. Children have developed strategies to help them manage the school day better, and all are making notable academic achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child has made remarkable progress in developing independence and preparing for adulthood. With consistent and nurturing support from staff, they now travel independently. This is a significant milestone. They also actively engage with driving lessons, regularly prepare meals and manage their own laundry. The child said, ‘Staff push me out of my comfort zone,’ highlighting the empowering approach taken by the team to build confidence and life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff work hard to provide the children with valuable and memorable experiences. Children experience a wide range of social and community activities that help them explore their interests and develop their confidence and self-esteem. Children recently went on a holiday to a theme park in Paris, and they benefit from other enjoyable experiences, such as swimming, theme parks and celebrating their individual achievements. The journey children have navigated throughout their time at the home is Inspection report for children’s home: 1280478 4 captured through memory boxes and photo books. Children also enjoy being part of this process.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s views and feelings are central to the care they receive. Staff involve children in their care planning. They do this because they value children’s ideas and views about how they are cared for. For example, children know they can ask for changes to their care plan and participate in research-informed practice to help them through their difficulties. This is a proactive approach to children’s care which helps them to develop an increased understanding of themselves. As a result, children make and sustain exceptional progress, given their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and staff go above and beyond to support children to maintain relationships with those who are important to them. For example, they provide excellent support, facilitating the time with their families. This means that children spend time with significant people in an environment that feels relaxed and natural. Managers and staff understand and promote family connections. One child has reconnected with her sibling after a number of years. These efforts help children preserve important relationships and stay connected to their personal histories.

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

Managers and staff have an exceptional understanding of each child’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. They are highly attuned to subtle changes in behaviour. This enables them to respond promptly and effectively to de-escalate situations. When children feel upset or worried, staff use thoughtful and personalised strategies that help them feel better. This builds children’s confidence and emotional strength over time.

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

Dedicated, nurturing and exceptionally hard-working staff ensure children receive clear and consistent expectations and boundaries. Staff help children respond to their feelings safely through promoting reflective learning. As a result, children know what is expected of them, which helps them to feel safe. Consequences are proportionate and logical and help children to learn. Because children feel safe, they do not go missing from home, and the frequency of incidents and use of physical intervention has significantly reduced.

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

Staff are suitably trained and take a consistent approach to holding children. They ensure that it is only used when necessary and solely for the purpose of keeping the child and others safe. Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of the principles of least-restrictive practice and are confident in recognising when intervention is required to prevent harm. Following an incident, managers provide debriefs, offering opportunities for reflection, learning and continuous improvement.

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

When safeguarding concerns arise, the manager responds with diligence and professionalism. Reflective discussions involving children and the adults who care for them are embedded in practice, ensuring that safeguarding is not only reactive but also preventative. This approach empowers children to feel heard and enhances staff confidence in managing complex safeguarding issues. Inspection report for children’s home: 1280478 5 Staff demonstrate a proactive and informed approach to safeguarding children in relation to online safety. They educate them about safe online behaviour and respond swiftly to any incidents. Children feel safe to talk to adults about their online world, and this is responded to with professional curiosity. This promotes an open dialogue, enabling staff to identify and address potential risks early, contributing to a culture of safety and emotional security within the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is an innovative and exceptional leader. She is supported by an equally committed deputy manager. Together they are role models to the team, and as a result, staff follow their lead. The manager and staff keep children at the centre of everything they do. They have been instrumental in helping children to make progress and ensuring that they have positive experiences when they live at this home. The children view the adults caring for them as family and refer to staff as family members, such as ‘auntie’, ‘nanny’ and ‘grandad’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home has a stable, consistent team of staff that provides continuity for children. Staff say that they enjoy working at the home, and all staff share a sense of feeling valued. The manager makes staff well-being a priority, and new staff feel welcomed into the home. This adds to the positive environment for children. One member of staff said, ‘Our manager consistently strives to improve our services and goes above and beyond for both the children and the team.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a strong culture of learning and development in the home. Staff receive mandatory and specialist training to support them in their role, along with regular supervision. Reflective practice is at the centre of team meetings and upskilling sessions. Each of the staff’s individual strengths and skills are used to benefit the children. This helps staff feel valued and supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager demonstrates a strong commitment to embedding research into practice. Reflective and research-informed approaches are central to the care provided to children. This ethos is actively promoted among both staff and children. Children are supported to engage in research that enhances their understanding of themselves and others. For instance, alongside staff, they explore a broad range of topics, including online safety, neurodiversity and managing feelings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager demonstrates effective use of a wide range of quality assurance tools and monitoring systems. This includes thorough oversight of all records, monthly audits and regular tracking of children’s progress and outcomes. She actively seeks additional avenues for oversight and embraces critical reflection, recognising it as a vital part of continuous improvement. Her vigilant approach enables her to identify changes in risk and the dynamics between children, and she works collaboratively with others to mitigate potential and emerging concerns. This comprehensive oversight ensures that children consistently receive an excellent standard of care. Inspection report for children’s home: 1280478 6 Children are confident in expressing concerns and know how to make a complaint. Complaints are responded to promptly and investigated thoroughly. The manager demonstrates strong leadership by seeking impartial oversight, when necessary, to

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

ensure decisions are made in the best interests of children. Children are supported to understand the outcome of their complaint so that they feel listened to and know their views are important.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Partnerships with external professionals and family members are exceptionally strong. Feedback during the inspection was overwhelmingly positive, with stakeholders consistently describing the home as exemplary, child-focused, nurturing, dedicated, and family-orientated. Professionals and family members spoke highly of the quality of care and support provided, noting the significant progress children make as a result of the nurturing environment and consistent, child-centred practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 1280478 7

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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: 1280478 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Care (UK) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Keystone Chartered Accountants, 263 Nottingham Road, Nottingham NG7 7DA

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Inspector

Natasha Skinner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1280478 9 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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