Children's home run by MacIntyre Care

Inspection report for children’s home: SC457423 1 SC457423 Registered provider: MacIntyre Care

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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 privately operated. The home provides care for up to 5 children who may have special educational needs, social and/or communication difficulties, autism or a combination of these.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 5 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024 and is suitably qualified.

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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: 18 December 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: SC457423 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/12/2024 Full Good 21/02/2024 Full Good 10/01/2023 Full Good 15/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC457423 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from warm and nurturing relationships with staff who know them well. Staff adapt their communication styles to meet each child’s individual needs. As a result, children feel understood and supported. During the inspection, all 5 children engaged positively with the inspector and appeared happy and relaxed in the company of staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that reflect their individual interests. Staff actively participate in play and leisure activities, which strengthens relationships and promotes a sense of belonging. Children have free access to all areas of the home, including communal spaces and their own bedrooms. This helps them feel settled and comfortable in their environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in their education. The registered manager and head of education have established strong partnerships with the school. Staff support children’s transitions between home and school, including accompanying them to school and welcoming them back at the end of the day. This consistent approach helps children feel secure and promotes continuity of care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are central to practice in the home. Staff use a range of methods to capture children’s feedback and respond using their preferred communication styles. This ensures that children feel listened to and valued and that their choices influence day-to-day life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain positive relationships with their families and those important to them. Staff encourage contact and provide regular updates to parents about their child’s progress and activities. Parents spoken to during the inspection were highly positive about the care and protection their children receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Admissions to the home are well planned. The registered manager ensures that children who already live in the home are prepared for new arrivals, and families are encouraged to visit before children move in. Bedrooms are personalised to reflect each child’s identity and preferences. This thoughtful approach supports children to settle and feel at home.

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

Children benefit from strong, trusting relationships with staff who provide a nurturing and safe environment. Staff know the children well and use this knowledge to anticipate and respond to risks effectively. Individual risk assessments are detailed and regularly updated. They identify potential triggers and outline clear strategies for staff to offer reassurance and support before children become overwhelmed. Inspection report for children’s home: SC457423 4 Positive behaviour is consistently celebrated, and physical intervention is only used when necessary and is proportionate to ensure that children and those around remain safe.

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

Children are rarely missing from the home. Since the last inspection, there has been only one missing episode, which was managed promptly and effectively. Staff followed clear procedures, recorded the incident accurately and talked to the child about their feelings.

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

Safeguarding practice is strong. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures, including risks associated with internet use. They work directly with children to help them recognise and manage dangers, using communication tailored to each child’s needs. All staff receive regular safeguarding training and know how to report concerns and seek advice when necessary.

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

Medication management is robust. Staff monitor medication carefully, report errors promptly and address them through additional training and specialist nurse involvement. The registered manager provides effective oversight of medication administration and promotes a culture of learning and improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a permanent, suitably qualified registered manager who is visible and available to staff and children. Staff report that they feel well supported by the manager and value their guidance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager provides strong oversight of the quality of care. They monitor incidents effectively and ensure that learning is identified and acted on. External monitoring arrangements are in place, which provide additional scrutiny and help maintain high standards of care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Care planning is well coordinated. The registered manager works closely with education providers to ensure that targets are aligned, and progress is tracked collaboratively. This approach promotes consistency and avoids confusion for families.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular supervision, structured induction and a comprehensive training programme. Training is tailored to the needs of the children living in the home and is monitored to ensure relevance and impact. This fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Agency workers are used within the home. The registered manager does not provide formal supervision to these non-permanent staff. This limits their opportunity for reflection and development. Inspection report for children’s home: SC457423 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. Professionally qualified staff employed by the home, such as teachers or social workers, should be provided with relevant professional or clinical supervision by an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: SC457423 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Seebeck House, 1 Seebeck Place, Milton Keynes MK5 8FR

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jennifer Marshall

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Inspector

Lisa Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC457423 7 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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Inspector

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