Children's home run by Restorative Social Care Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2646995 1 Registered provider: Restorative Social Care Services 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 provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the home at the time of the inspection. The inspector spoke with all three children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 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

Date of last inspection: 16 December 2024

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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: 2646995 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/12/2024 Full Good 05/03/2024 Full Good 12/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2646995 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children build strong and trusted relationships with staff. This has helped them to make progress. Children like living in the home and have positive experiences. Children described staff as ‘nice’ and ‘caring.’ They are happy and settled and plan for their future. Children described the home as ‘the best.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views and wishes are actively sought, listened to, and responded to. Children gave numerous examples of how they are involved in decision-making about managing their time, choosing activities, and furnishing their bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making steady progress in all areas of their lives, including education. Staff are ambitious for the children in their care and support children to attend school and do well. One child has achieved 100% attendance in school when previously they did not attend at all. Education professionals describe positive changes in the children’s behaviour and said that communication with the staff was very good.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a focus on curiosity among staff to learn and understand the functions of children’s behaviour, what this means for children, and what staff can do to support this. Staff have a clear understanding of the model of care used in the home. Staff are invested in promoting the welfare and well-being of children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves into or on from the home are mostly well managed. Assessments that review the risks to children are thorough and support children to be safe. The age- appropriate children’s guide also helps children to understand life at the home. The staff have started to create memory books with children, and they offer positive praise to keep children motivated and involved in their care plan.

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

Children in this home are safe and secure. Staff have a good understanding of the needs of the children, including how past experiences have affected them. Children said that staff understand them and how they feel.

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

Risk assessments and support plans are regularly reviewed and reflect the level of help that children need. The children’s plans are supported by therapeutic input and help staff to provide the right care for children. Staff have strong links with outside agencies and voluntary sector organisations, who offer specialist support to children. There are regular discussions and referrals made to external professionals that improve the care that children receive.

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

When children go missing from home, staff look for them and there is ongoing liaison with external agencies. This means that the plans in place reduce harm to children and are effective. There is a coordinated response that keeps children safe and the number Inspection report for children’s home: 2646995 4 of times that children are missing from home is reducing. Staff are confident that they can support children, and staff create a positive environment for children to return home to.

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

When incidents happen, these are well managed, and children’s relationships with staff are quickly repaired. Children receive help and support to manage their behaviour and staff make themselves available to children and offer opportunities for children to talk about their feelings. However, the discussions with children are not always clear and consistently aligned to reflect the information in the children’s plans.

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

Children at this home rarely need staff to physically intervene to keep them safe. If this happens, this is well managed, and records include a management review of the incident. The manager has completed additional training to support staff in this area. Staff understand the importance of using appropriate de-escalation techniques. They work with children to improve their understanding of risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager creates a supportive environment for children and staff. Support for children is tailored to their individual needs and the manager values and encourages staff input. Staff feel supported by the manager and able to approach him with any concerns. Children said the manager had a good heart and was fun.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager leads the development of the team. Training that supports the specific needs of the children is complemented by a comprehensive provider-led package of mandatory training. In addition, regular team meetings review the needs of children and there are targets and goals for staff to meet. There is a clear induction plan for new starters to the role. This is supportive and of a good quality.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals said they could see improvements in the well-being and happiness of children. Communication was described as detailed, timely and effective. Professionals said that the support and response from the manager and staff to the needs of the children was very good and helps children to make good progress. This secures good care and experiences for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is ambitious for the children in his care. Together with the staff, the manager monitors the progress of children, and they can demonstrate the positive effect that living in the home has on children. The manager also takes action to challenge partnership agencies appropriately when decisions are not in the best interests of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has oversight of the home and carries out regular audits to ensure that quality is maintained. Any concerns are quickly identified and responded to. Improvements to the environment continue to be made. The home is increasingly welcoming and reflective of a domestic environment. The manager knows the issues that Inspection report for children’s home: 2646995 5 may cause risks to children and what actions are required from staff to keep children safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2646995 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that expectations of standards of behaviour are high for all staff and children in the home. These standards should be clear and unambiguous. In particular, conversations with children must reflect the information in their plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 39, paragraph 8.11)

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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: 2646995 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Restorative Social Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 69a Saddleworth Road, Halifax HX4 8AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Kershaw

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Inspector

Jo Cansfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2646995 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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