Children's Home run by Crystal Care Solutions Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home: SC460800 1 SC460800 Registered provider: Crystal Care Solutions Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private company. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection, three children were living at the home. They all spoke to the inspector about their experiences of living there.

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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: SC460800 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/08/2024 Full Outstanding 20/12/2023 Full Good 06/09/2022 Full Good 14/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC460800 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children feel valued, happy, safe and loved. They receive exceptionally well-planned and highly nurturing care from staff who know them incredibly well. Children are making significant progress in all areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Living at the home has significantly enhanced the children’s life chances. A family member said, ‘All the staff are absolutely amazing. They’ve been a life saver for my child.’ One child said, ‘It’s really good here. Staff understand me.’ Another child said that living at the home had changed their life ‘for the positive’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The quality of relationships between the staff and children is excellent. Staff offer genuine warmth and acceptance to children in their care. Children have developed strong, trusting relationships with staff, which has helped to increase their feelings of confidence and self-worth. Children enjoy spending time with staff, both inside and outside of the home. Their views and opinions are consistently sought and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and the staff are highly ambitious for children. Children have made substantial progress from their starting points. Two children who had not attended school for some time before living at the home now have 100% attendance and are thriving in their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have regular meetings with education professionals to ensure that the children’s specific needs are met and provide challenge if they do not feel the right support is in place. An education professional said, ‘Staff are brilliant to work with. Communication is effective and consistent.’ Children’s successes are celebrated, and they are empowered to pursue their ambitions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Meticulous work is carried out to prepare children for when they leave the home. Each child has an individualised plan that provides them with clear and achievable goals in preparation for becoming independent. One child, who moved out of the home recently, said, ‘It was amazing living at [name of home] and staff were really nice. They are shining stars.’ Another child, who moved out a few months ago, said, ‘Staff were so nice. They taught me independence skills like budgeting and cooking.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are encouraged and supported to take part in voluntary and community activities. All the children regularly go to a pony sanctuary and thoroughly enjoy taking part in caring for the animals. Children engage in local groups and activities. One child regularly attends youth clubs and a youth council; they have made presentations to large groups to represent the voice of other children. Children’s interests are nurtured, and they are encouraged to try new things.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children live in a large and spacious home which is homely and comfortable. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their tastes. The home is full of photos of the children; Inspection report for children’s home: SC460800 4 their achievements and their memorable and fun times are displayed throughout. One child is proudly involved in building a chicken coop in the back garden, where children also grow a range of vegetables and plants.

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

There is a strong safeguarding culture in the home and children feel safe. Their risks and vulnerabilities are exceptionally well understood. Detailed risk assessments are in place, which are individualised and clear. They are regularly updated by staff, with the involvement of the children, and are live and purposeful documents.

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

The manager and staff have a detailed and well-researched understanding of child development and the effects of early life experiences. The model of care provides children with a sense of family membership and belonging.

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

Staff are vigilant to risks and are mindful of children’s emerging vulnerabilities. They are supported by an excellent specialist therapeutic team, whose members work closely and collaboratively with staff and children. Children receive weekly therapy sessions, which they respond to exceptionally well. Therapeutic techniques and research-informed practice are evident throughout records and are embedded in the day-to-day culture of the home.

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

There are clear boundaries and routines in place at the home, with the focus on rewarding children for positive behaviours. Individually tailored and realistic incentives, which are agreed with the children, are in place. Children are helped to understand and regulate their emotions.

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

On occasion, children have needed to be physically held to keep them safe. Staff receive appropriate and regular training in techniques that enable them to do this safely and proportionately. De-escalation strategies are always used first, and a thorough and timely discussion takes place with the child following a hold. Management oversight of incidents is detailed, professionally curious and reflective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The acting manager was recently promoted to the role after being the deputy manager for three years. The previous registered manager provided a smooth and thorough transition and is still actively involved with the home in her senior management role. The acting manager has submitted her application to be the registered manager to the regulator.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is child centred, enthusiastic and committed to her role. She is held in high regard by the children, their family members, staff and other professionals. There is a culture of positivity, and staff have a ‘can-do’ approach to improving outcomes for children. One parent said, ‘They go over and above. They support me and my child.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC460800 5 Staff thoroughly enjoy working in the home and staff turnover is low. The staff team is stable, and its members work extremely well together to provide consistent and nurturing care. Staff demonstrate resilience and commitment to the children and talk about them with immense warmth and pride.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from regular, high-quality supervision sessions and team meetings that provide them with opportunities for reflection and learning. Staff have access to an excellent training programme, which includes bespoke training as required. This ensures all staff have the skills and knowledge to meet children’s current and emerging needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Management oversight of the home is excellent. The manager is highly organised and uses internal and external monitoring systems effectively to ensure that she is fully aware of the home’s strengths and areas of development. She regularly monitors the quality of care provided to children and takes swift action to ensure that the high quality of care is maintained. The manager is dedicated to improving the home and is continually developing practice to achieve the best outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC460800 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: SC460800 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Crystal Care Solutions Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bank House, Market Square, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1ET

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Inspector

Zillah Brooks, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC460800 8 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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