Children's home run by Solace for Children Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2503710 1 Registered provider: Solace for Children 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 by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to four children aged between seven and 17 who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children live at the home and two were spoken to by the inspector.

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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: 14 January 2025

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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: 2503710 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/01/2025 Full Good 29/08/2023 Full Good 18/01/2023 Full Good 14/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2503710 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to make exceptional progress. Over recent months, all children have flourished because staff understand their needs. Staff have supported children to maintain routine, understand boundaries, attend college, work part time, and develop positive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children attend school and have excellent attendance. Staff have positively supported all children to engage in education, but two children, who previously did not engage in school, are now attending full time. Staff have regular contact with schools and attend all meetings to support children’s learning. The schools said that communication with staff is excellent and that the level of support they give children is extensive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children said that they like living at the home, have good relationships with staff, and enjoy the food. They said they feel supported by staff and are offered lots of activities each week.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff provide children with a high standard of care and demonstrate that they strive for children to reach their potential and flourish. Children are progressing in the home because staff use therapeutic approaches to build positive relationships with them, which helps them successfully manage behaviour. Staff are proactive and ensure that routines and boundaries are consistent, and that they listen to children, so they can adapt their support to align with children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Professionals say that staff are dedicated and motivated to do their best for children. One parent said that her child has made ‘remarkable progress’ thanks to support from staff, identifying how they have received support to better manage and express their own emotions. Another parent said that staff are ‘amazing’ as her child is so ‘calm, settled and happy’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff actively support children to maintain relationships with people that are important to them. Staff promote and encourage positive relationships with family and friends. Staff also engage children in a range of activities such as, laser tag, air hop, and going out for meals. Most children are engaged in community clubs and play in football or rugby teams.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

When children move into the home, robust plans help them to prepare. The registered manager makes extensive plans which helps alleviate anxiety and so children feel welcome. This includes meeting with children and inviting them for visits to the home so they can meet other children and stay overnight. Family members are involved in this process and can visit the home with children.

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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2503710 4 Staff have an in-depth understanding of children’s needs and use trauma informed approaches. This helps staff build trusting and positive relationships with children, so they can support their specific needs and ensure children live in a secure and stable environment. As a result, there have been no incidents of children going missing from the home, no use of restraint, and no safeguarding concerns. Staff complete robust training, so they have the confidence to manage any concerns if they arise.

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

Staff skilfully engage children in regular and meaningful conversations. They cover a range of topics with children, including how to keep safe online, healthy relationships, and risks surrounding vaping. This helps children’s understanding, so that they have the knowledge to make informed decisions. The registered manager creatively involves children in their plans, so that their views and wishes are intrinsic in their care planning.

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

All children have gained significant independent skills while living in the home. Staff help children to self-motivate and have taught them to cook, shop for meals, keep their bedrooms clean and tidy, and use a washing machine. Staff have proactively supported children to learn a range of life skills in preparation for independence, and they continue to focus on these to enhance children’s learning.

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

Children have not made any complaints or raised concerns about staff. Leaders and managers address concerns about staff practice in a robust and timely manner, so there is effective management oversight. They adhere to internal and external protocols and seek professional advice in the best interests of children, so investigations are comprehensive and thorough.

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

There have been no medication errors in the home. Managers have a robust and efficient system in place when medication is administered to children, so they can track and monitor use in the home. Senior staff complete regular audits so there is effective oversight, and so the registered manager has confidence that staff have the skills and knowledge to safely manage medications.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is efficient, enthusiastic, and committed. She has extensive oversight of the home, so she can ensure children live in a nurturing environment and to ensure that they receive an exceptional home life. She is an excellent advocate for children and has challenged professionals appropriately in the best interests of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has confidence in her staff team, and their commitment to children using a child-led approach. She strives to provide staff the opportunity to upskill and increase their knowledge and understanding, so that they continue to grow and develop their practice skills, and so the support provided to children is a high standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff said that leaders and managers are extremely supportive and offer them an extensive range of training, so they can meet children’s needs. They said that the registered manager is approachable and has an open-door policy, but also that the team work cohesively to ensure that children receive optimum care. Staff spoke Inspection report for children’s home: 2503710 5 enthusiastically about additional learning opportunities, which has enabled them to widen their knowledge and build their confidence. They said they engage in a range of resources, but they also benefit from clinical support, which enhances their learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager reduces the impact of staff shortages through using staff from other homes. This is invaluable for children because all staff are familiar to them, and they have built positive relationships with each other. Furthermore, leaders and managers organise regular activities for staff and children across their homes, which has enabled these relationships to flourish. This provides excellent consistency and stability for children, so they always feel settled.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Effective monitoring and review systems are in place. Leaders and managers complete regular audits, so they can monitor and evaluate the quality of care that children experience. Leaders visit the home every week so they have extensive oversight and can build strong relationships with staff and children. Professionals said that the atmosphere in the home is calm and nurturing and that staff encourage children to make positive change, which supports their growth and development, so all children are thriving. Inspection report for children’s home: 2503710 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: 2503710 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solace for Children Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Tadcaster House, Kempton Road, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 2TA

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Inspector

Emma Fryer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2503710 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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