Children's home run by Halliwell Homes Limited in Staffordshire Moorlands

Inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 1 SC008488 Registered provider: Halliwell Homes 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 and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to eight children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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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: 10 and 11 July 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: SC008488 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/07/2024 Full Good 10/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/07/2023 Full Inadequate 24/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection 7 children were living at the home. Children moving in and out of the home do so in a way that is well planned and sensitively managed. As a result, children benefit from positive experiences at the start and the end of their time in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a happy and relaxed home and receive consistent, individualised care from staff who know them well. One child benefit from a bespoke resource which helps them to express their feelings and emotions. Children feel emotionally safe. One parent said their child, ‘Trusts staff and will talk to them, which is a huge step.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s plans are clear. Staff have a good understanding of each child’s individual needs and how best to support them. Care plans are regularly reviewed in consultation with partner agencies. One social worker commented on the progress children make during their time in the home. As a result of the progress being made, children have grown in confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote education and all children attend school. The manager and staff have high aspirations for the children and they collaboratively with education professionals to create good routines and positive study habits. This means children have a positive attitude to learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s health needs are met. Staff work with the inhouse therapist to agree how to individually support children through planned one to one consultation. Children are helped to understand any health conditions or diagnoses in an age-appropriate way. This means children have a positive understanding of themselves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and staff enjoy spending time together enjoying positive activities. The children’s views are gained in a variety of ways through group and one to one time with staff and the manager. Some children have started to make plans for Christmas, including a trip to the pantomime, ice-skating and Legoland. This means children feel listened to and their views acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. Time with family is prioritised, individualised and child focused. This helps maintain lifelong relationships for children.

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

Since the last inspection, there have been several significant incidents and allegations. The safety and well-being of the children have been prioritised. The manager has worked closely with appropriate safeguarding partners during Inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 4 investigations to maintain children’s safety. The manager has shown professional curiosity and due diligence in her oversight.

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

When physical interventions are used, records reflect that the intervention is the last resort and is proportionate and necessary to keep children and others safe. Post- incident debriefs for both children and staff are consistently carried out and ensure children’s voices are heard. This ensures that children’s relationships with staff are effectively maintained.

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

Staff understand their role in safeguarding children, including processes for raising concerns and whistleblowing. The manager is proactive in arranging training to upskill staff, through workshops, competency tests and discussions in team meetings and supervision. As a result, staff feel confident in taking action to keep children safe.

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

Staff know children well and understand their needs and risks. These are clearly considered and set out in the children’s plans. Risk assessments provide effective guidance to staff, with the aim for consistent practice that reduces risks.

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

Children’s achievements are celebrated. Each child has a praise book, which includes something positive every day. Staff support children to understand expectations and consequences are proportionate and natural. This supports children to learn about boundaries and the impact of behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager demonstrates a strong commitment, and she has high aspirations for the children and her staff. Professionals and staff speak positively about the management team and the support provided. Staff say that they are proud to work in the home, one social worker collaborated this and said, ‘Staff appear happy to be here, which is very important’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are valuable and child focused. They capture discussions about the children and how to improve practice and support positive changes to behaviour. Children’s views are considered at the meetings through their ‘have your say’ documents. Children are aware of any actions taken in response to their views which gives them confidence that consultation is acted on.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager prioritises training and staff development which helps staff to be effective in their roles. Two members of staff have had the opportunity to take the lead in encouraging and promoting diversity and equality in the home. This offers children a wider view of the world and a better understanding of acceptance, diversity and equality.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel listened to and supported by managers. Staff have regular supervision and annual appraisals. Supervision is supportive and gives staff time to reflect on practice. Appraisals review staff development and an opportunity to discuss future Inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 5 learning. However, appraisals do not consider feedback from children, colleagues or professionals Inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should include the views of the children and other professionals when completing appraisals with staff. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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: SC008488 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Halliwell Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pearce House, 80 Cawdor Street, Eccles M30 0QF

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Inspectors

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Julia Edwards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC008488 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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