Children's home run by Good Foundations Limited

Inspection report children's home: SC419808 1 SC419808 Registered provider: Good Foundations 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 operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2011.

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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 outstanding

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outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children's home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 15 October 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: SC419808 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/10/2024 Full Good 03/05/2023 Full Good 19/04/2022 Full Good 28/10/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report children's home: SC419808 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children living at the home are provided with love and understanding. They have strong relationships with the staff team and speak positively about their experiences of living there. Children make exceptional progress when considering their starting points. One child’s independent reviewing officer described the care provided by staff as ‘transformative’ and said that staff have ensured the child has opportunities to reach their potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Leaders and managers ensure that decisions about children moving out of the home are carefully considered and in children’s best interests. Children's continued involvement with the staff team demonstrates the strong relationships built during their time at the home. One child who recently moved out of the home said that ‘staff started as carers and ended up as family’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have excellent relationships with children's families. They recognise the importance of these connections and involve families in their children’s care whenever possible. The positive relationships developed with families help to provide children with consistency and contribute to keeping them safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff go above and beyond to promote children's education. They ensure that the provisions in place meet each child’s individual needs and offer learning that engages and interests them. Staff work closely with children's schools to reduce barriers to learning. As a result, school attendance has significantly improved and the children enjoy attending their individual provisions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children's health needs are met well. Staff work closely with health services to deliver important messages to children around health education. When needed, staff seek additional specialist training to support children's health needs. This has a positive impact on children’s care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to have new and exciting experiences. Children have opportunities to take part in a range of activities around their interests, from make-up lessons, to paddle boarding. They enjoy annual holidays together which provide them with lasting memories. These experiences are captured in photographs throughout the home and in children’s memory books.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff promote and encourage children's hobbies. For example, one child has been supported to pursue their interest in horses. The provider has loaned the child their own horse and supported them to assist at a local stable. This has led to the child achieving several awards and gaining employment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff celebrate children's achievements and milestones. They recognise children’s individual progress and efforts. For example, the staff and children celebrated the Inspection report children's home: SC419808 4 children completing their GCSEs and held their own prom when children finished school. This approach promotes children’s self-esteem and builds resilience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is decorated and maintained to an exceptionally high standard. Staff take pride in the home and encourage the children to do the same. They prioritise creating a homely environment, for example, utilising fold-away office spaces to make room for arts and crafts and nail stations. As a result, children enjoy their friends visiting them and spending time together at the home.

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

Staff have an excellent understanding of safeguarding and each child’s individual vulnerabilities. They recognise the importance of allowing children to take age- appropriate risks while providing guidance and support to help them learn safely. Staff are proactive in educating children about potential risks, which helps to develop their independence skills and prepare for future independent living.

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

The risks identified for children when they first move into the home reduce significantly due to the care and support provided by the staff team. Staff adopt a non-judgemental approach, with a strong focus on listening and mutual respect, which helps children feel comfortable sharing any worries. The open and trusting relationships developed with children enable staff to keep them safe.

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

A key strength of the staff team is their ability to implement clear boundaries and routines, which promote a sense of security for children. Staff provide a nurturing and consistent approach, with a strong focus on positive reinforcement. As a result, they manage children’s behaviour effectively without relying on negative consequences.

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

Safeguarding incidents are rare. When they do occur, there is an effective multi-agency response supported by staff. For example, when children go missing from home, staff search for them, including throughout the night, and report them missing in line with their plans. They contact family and friends and have successfully supported the safe return of children to the home.

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

Comprehensive risk assessments are in place, covering all known risks and guiding staff in safeguarding children. There are examples of staff going beyond the guidance in these assessments to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing. However, some risk assessments are now outdated and do not reflect the sustained progress that children have made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is experienced and inspirational. She adopts a nurturing approach and is passionate about providing child-centred care. She is supported by a strong deputy who is equally enthusiastic and child focussed. Together, they have excellent relationships with the children in their care and a clear understanding of each child’s individual needs. Inspection report children's home: SC419808 5 Leaders and managers have excellent oversight of children's care, with clear systems and processes in place to ensure that high-quality care is consistently maintained. They have high expectations for the standards of care provided and lead the staff team by example.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a strong and stable staff team in place. Staff enjoy their roles and feel well supported. They report that the manager supports them ‘in every way’ and one member of staff described her as ‘one of a kind’. There is a positive dynamic within the home, and the team strives to create a family-style environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers place significant emphasis on children’s participation in decision- making. Children are supported to contribute to their own care planning, and their views are clearly reflected throughout their records. Staff consult with children regularly, asking meaningful questions to ensure that they can provide a high standard of individualised care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team is skilled and experienced. There is a clear focus on continual development, supported through regular supervision and team meetings. Staff are reflective in their practice and are encouraged by leaders and managers to develop their skills and knowledge through independent research. Leaders and managers also prioritise their own professional development, keeping up to date with relevant research and guidance. This learning is shared with the staff team and embedded into day-to-day practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff team have excellent relationships with the external professionals involved in children’s lives. Professionals were overwhelmingly positive about the care and support children receive, describing the staff as providing children with the opportunity to thrive. Inspection report children's home: SC419808 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s risk assessments provide up-to- date information relating to the current risks to children to demonstrate the sustained progress they have made. (Guide to the Children's Home Regulations, including the quality standards, page 42, paragraph 9.5.

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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 children's home: SC419808 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Good Foundations Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 6 Tower Quays, Tower Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 1BP

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Inspector

Hayley Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC419808 8 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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