Children's home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC366104 1 SC366104 Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group 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 part of a large private organisation. Staff provide care for up to three children who may have social and emotional difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2024. She holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home. The inspector observed and spoke to all three children.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC366104 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/05/2024 Full Good 15/11/2023 Full Good 21/02/2023 Full Good 20/07/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC366104 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are currently three children living at the home. One child has lived at the home for two years and the registered manager has recently supported their sibling to move into the home. This has enabled the children to live together and maintain family relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well and demonstrate an understanding of their individual needs. As a result, children have formed trusting relationships with both staff and the registered manager. During the inspection, positive and nurturing interactions were observed between the children and the staff, creating a family home environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All three children attend education in line with their individual needs and are making progress. The registered manager and staff work closely with the children’s teachers to ensure that the children get the right support. As a result, the children are achieving positive outcomes with their learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical health needs are understood and met by staff. All children attend routine health appointments in line with their individual needs. In addition, children receive therapeutic support from the home’s in-house clinician. The clinician works closely with staff to ensure that children receive the right support to promote their emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged and supported to participate in a wide range of activities. They regularly attend swimming lessons and youth clubs. The children enjoy attending activities together, such as bowling and visits to trampoline parks. One child who is passionate about theme parks is supported to visit regularly. Souvenirs of his visits are displayed in the home. These activities help children develop socially and enjoy spending time together.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move on from the home, the registered manager works alongside them and their social workers to ensure that there is a smooth and well-planned move. For one child this included preparation work and visits to their new home. When plans change the registered manager responds flexibly and amends plans to ensure that children have positive experiences when leaving the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff regularly seek children’s views about their care. Two children have independent advocates, who visit the home regularly. For one child, the advocate’s support has helped to arrange family time with their parent. As a result, children feel listened to and involved in decisions about their lives .

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is welcoming. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their taste. There is ample outdoor space for the children to play. Door alarms are used on children’s bedroom doors as an additional safeguarding measure. However, the Inspection report for children’s home: SC366104 4 registered manager has not consistently reviewed their ongoing use, raising questions about whether they remain necessary. The use of door alarms was reviewed during the inspection.

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

Staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding, and they are committed to keeping children safe. They understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities and use this knowledge to implement effective strategies in keeping children safe.

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

Children’s risk assessments are clear and individual to children. They are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes or emerging risks. This ensures that staff respond appropriately to children’s changing needs and promotes their well-being and safety.

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

Allegations in the home are rare. When they do occur, they are managed quickly and effectively. The registered manager takes prompt action to safeguard children and reduce risk. Concerns are reported to the local authority designated officer (LADO) and the child’s social worker. Records are clear and detailed, demonstrating clear safeguarding responses.

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

Staff support children to stay safe online by providing age-appropriate guidance. All three children have access to mobile phones. Safey plans are in place and staff complete regular checks to ensure devices are secure. Furthermore, work is undertaken with the children to help them to understand how to use these safely and responsibly.

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

The registered manager follows safer recruitment practices to ensure that only individuals who are known are safe and suitable to work with children are employed.

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

Since the last inspection, there has been an increase in incidents of children going missing from the home. Overall, staff respond effectively when children go missing, following their safety plans to ensure a safe return. However, on one occasion, a child left the home without staff knowledge. The registered manager acted promptly to review the incident and put in place additional safeguards to reduce the risk of recurrence.

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

Physical interventions are used only as a last resort and when a child places themselves or others at risk of harm. Overall, interventions are proportionate and appropriate. However, there have been occasions where staff have used higher level interventions before attempting alternative techniques. The registered manager has reflected on the use of these holds and taken steps to review practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She knows the children well and understands their needs. Throughout the inspection the registered manager spoke about the children’s progress with pride. Inspection report for children’s home: SC366104 5 The registered manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. She regularly monitors the home and children’s progress to identify areas for improvements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, several staff members have left the home. To maintain continuity of care, staff from other homes within the organisation have provided support. Despite staffing challenges, the registered manager has successfully recruited new team members, helping to provide stability for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they enjoy working in the home, and they share the registered manager’s passion and are committed to provide high-quality care to children. Staff feel supported by the registered manager, and they benefit from regular supervision. Furthermore, team meetings take place regularly, and they provide staff with the opportunity to share information and reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a range of core training. They have also been provided with additional specific training to support them to meet the children’s individual needs. More than half of the staff hold the required level 3 qualification, and those who do not are working towards obtaining the qualification in the required time frame.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals and parents speak positively about the home. One child’s independent reviewing officer stated, ‘The registered manager is by far the best I have worked with.’ A social worker commented, ‘The children are having a good time at the home.’ One child’s parent told the inspector that ‘their child receives the best care’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC366104 6

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Statutory requirement

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

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

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Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

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Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that low-level interventions are tried first before higher interventions are used. 3 November 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: SC366104 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fitzroy Academy, Cruckton, Shrewsbury SY5 8PR

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Inspector

Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC366104 8 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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