Children's home run by Nestlings Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 1 Registered provider: Nestlings Care 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

The home is privately operated and provides care for up to four children who may have complex mental health difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered with Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

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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 good

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outstanding

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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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: 2510604 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/06/2024 Full Good 23/05/2023 Full Good 08/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 3

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, two children have left the home and two children have moved in. At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. The inspector spoke to all four children during the inspection.

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outstanding

Children, who have complex mental health needs, are making exceptional progress from their initial starting points. The care and support that they receive are consistent, nurturing and supportive. One child said, ‘This is the best home I have ever lived in, and the only thing that would make it better is if it was nearer to my hometown.’

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outstanding

Staff and managers have high aspirations for the children. All the children have made good or exceptional progress from their starting points. For example, some children have started engaging in therapeutic sessions and are able to understand the reasons they are living at the home. In addition, children are supported to understand what their health diagnoses mean and how they can affect their day-to- day lives. This progress has improved children’s emotional well-being remarkably.

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outstanding

Staff are highly skilled at building relationships with children. They know the children exceptionally well and make the children feel valued. One member of staff said, ‘We are so proud of the children, and we are honoured to be a part of their journey.’

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outstanding

All of the children are engaged in education that is tailored to meet their individual needs. They are making excellent progress in their learning and academic achievements from their initial starting points. One child successfully completed their GCSEs this summer and is now attending college, taking positive steps to shape their future. Children who were out of education for a significant period of time before moving into the home are fully encouraged and supported with reintegration back into education through carefully planned and individualised education plans.

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outstanding

Children are well supported to spend quality time with their close family and friends, regardless of distance. This enables them to maintain and strengthen relationships with those who are important to them. As a result of staff’s consistent support in nurturing family connections, one child will soon be returning to their parents’ care.

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, the number of incidents has considerably reduced. This reflects the skill and expertise of the staff, who use their strong understanding of and relationships with children to help them feel safe and secure. As a result, children are Inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 4 now better able to manage overwhelming emotions in more positive and healthy ways.

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outstanding

Risk management within the home is highly effective. Comprehensive risk management and support plans clearly identify each child’s known vulnerabilities, and staff demonstrate a strong understanding of these. Staff work collaboratively with children to identify the most effective strategies to support them, providing clear guidance for responding when children are unsettled. Plans are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain current and relevant. Consequently, children feel highly supported and protected, and staff are confident in managing any potential risks.

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outstanding

Children are encouraged to develop their independence skills in line with their individual needs and plans. This helps them to develop their confidence and their social skills in preparation for adulthood.

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outstanding

Restrictive legal orders used to keep children safe are implemented in a carefully planned and sensitive way to support children to work towards greater freedom in line with their individual needs. Due to their significant progress, two children have had their restrictions lifted. Staff continue to support children to manage their increased independence safely. As a result, children are developing greater confidence and enjoying more positive experiences in the community.

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outstanding

There have been occasions when children have been held to keep them safe. Records of these incidents are detailed and include reflections to inform future learning and practice. Children are given the opportunity to speak with staff afterwards to reflect on their feelings. However, staff debriefs are currently conducted in group sessions, which limits opportunities for staff to raise personal concerns or reflections.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is highly committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and demonstrates an exceptional dedication to both the staff team and the child in their care. Senior leaders provide strong and effective support, and the provider maintains clear and ambitious aspirations for the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and staff work effectively in partnership with other professionals. The manager is a strong advocate for the children’s needs and is confident in challenging other agencies when necessary. They proactively seek resolution when barriers to effective multi-agency working arise. This collaborative approach enhances the quality of care and ensures that children benefit from well- coordinated support aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is maintained to a high standard of safety, with health and safety procedures overseen by a staff member who has developed expertise in this area. Inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 5 Robust and detailed checks are carried out regularly by staff. This means health and safety standards in the home have comprehensively improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff currently use the rear garden for vaping breaks, which means children may observe this from within the home. This practice does not align with the home’s smoking policy and fails to provide healthy role models for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

When incidents of self-harm occur, staff complete detailed records that capture reflection from the staff and the child. Debriefs with children capture sensitive conversations that demonstrate positive and trusting relationships between staff and the child. Social workers are notified of incidents; however, incident reports are not consistently shared with children’s social workers in a timely manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose accurately describes the operation of the home. However, Ofsted has not always been notified of changes made to the statement of purpose. This limits the regulator’s oversight of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff follow the home’s smoking policy. 22 November

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when the statement of purpose has been updated, a copy of this is shared with the regulating body. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5)  The registered person should ensure that when children have displayed behaviours of concern, all records of incidents are reviewed and reports are sent to the placing local authority in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.23)  The registered person should ensure that individual staff supervision and debriefs after physical intervention enable staff to reflect and act on how their own feelings and behaviour may be affected by the behaviour of the children they care for. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.15) Inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 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: 2510604 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nestlings Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Derby Street, Suite 4, Leigh, Lancashire WN7 4PF

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Anthony Thompson

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Inspector

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2510604 9 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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