Children's home run by Impact Childcare and Education

Inspection report for children’s home: 2519081 1 Registered provider: Impact Childcare and Education

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 10 December 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2519081 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2024 Full Good 17/01/2024 Full Good 08/08/2022 Full Good 22/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2519081 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience nurturing care from an experienced team of staff who take time to get to know the children and understand how their past experiences impact on their lives. This helps children to develop positive relationships, enabling them to have a sense of stability and make progress.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education, training and employment are seen as important by the staff, who regularly review children’s interests and motivations to ensure that their school, college and work placements are right for the children. As a result, children are thriving in their individual learning environments.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time is sensitively supported by the staff, who are attuned to the difficulties this can cause for some children. Children are encouraged to have autonomy around their choices to spend time with family, and staff advocate in their best interests.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are regularly engaged in fun activities that reflect their interests. Staff promote opportunities for new hobbies and club activities where children can meet new friends. Similarly, children are encouraged to have friends visit their home for tea and activities.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress in a wide range of areas. However, as children approach adulthood, there is not enough focus or emphasis placed on the skills that they will require to live independently as an adult.

p.3

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

Serious incidents rarely happen in the home because children’s safety is prioritised by the staff, who understand children’s behaviours and presentation. Staff are curious when changes occur and explore with children the motivation for these changes. Staff can talk to children with confidence about their concerns and identify strategies to reduce risks to children.

p.3

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

Children say that they feel safe in the home and have adults who they can talk to about their worries and concerns. They are supported to access independent advocates when this is appropriate.

p.3

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

Care plans and risk assessments are detailed and well recorded. They reflect children’s known needs and vulnerabilities and identify strategies that help children to become increasingly safe. Staff help children to understand why safety checks are required, and they carry these out in a sensitive way that ensures that children’s privacy and dignity are respected. Inspection report for children’s home: 2519081 4 Children are helped to understand their emotions and develop resilience in preparation for adulthood. They are taught a range of strategies to manage their emotions and feelings, which they use beyond the home environment.

p.3

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

Recruitment practice is not yet effective. The registered manager does not sufficiently explore gaps in employment before appointing new staff. This is because the provider’s recruitment system only requires the month and year of previous employments. As a result, the registered manager is unable to identify all gaps in employment.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has developed a staff team that works collaboratively to care for children in a consistent and meaningful way. Staff’s child-focused approach and support for one another help the children gain a sense of belonging and safety.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children’s views about the home and their individual care arrangements are central to how the registered manager carries on the home. Children feel valued and heard by the manager and the staff. This helps children to develop positive relationships with the staff and make good progress in a short period of time.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager uses team meetings, supervision sessions and training to develop the staff’s skills and ability to meet children’s needs. The staff recognise managers’ supportive leadership style and said they value this. Equally, parents, carers and professionals said that the registered manager and staff team communicate effectively with them, and this enables them to feel a valued part of the children’s lives.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is aware of the areas of strength and the areas that require further development in the home. She has a capable deputy who helps to ensure that the home’s development plan is carried out and regular improvements are made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2519081 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.5

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

p.5

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

p.5

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.5

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d)) 27 January

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff help each child to prepare for any moves from the home, whether they are returning home, moving to another placement or adult care or to live independently. This includes supporting the child to develop emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home’s support and, where the child is moving to live independently, practical skills such as cooking, housework, budgeting and personal self-care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27) Inspection report for children’s home: 2519081 6

p.5

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: 2519081 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Impact Childcare and Education

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3-5 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE13 6DS

p.7

Inspector

Beth Forster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2519081 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8