Children's home run by Envision Care Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2765733 1 Registered provider: Envision Care Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted on 15 May 2024 and is operated by a small private company. It provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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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 requires improvement to be 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: 29 October 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: 2765733 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/10/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2765733 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child was living in the home at the time of the inspection. The child has been at the home for over a year. The child is making good progress and spoke positively about their experiences. They said that staff listen to them and that rules are fair. Warm, nurturing relationships between staff and the child were observed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from a family member was highly positive. They felt staff prioritise the child’s needs and described the child as the happiest they have seen them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support education. The child moved from home tutoring to a ‘return to learn’ course and now attends a full-time specialist provision. This successful return to education after a lengthy gap reflects the commitment and persistence of staff and managers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health needs are met effectively. Staff ensure that the child attends all physical health appointments and follows a healthy lifestyle. Specialist health needs are addressed. Children’s emotional well-being is supported through a commissioned psychologist, who works directly with the child and supports staff practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy positive day-to-day experiences. Staff encourage participation in activities, both in the home and in the community. The child enjoys go-karting and video games. Family visits are flexible. Family members visit the home, or staff travel with the child to visit family members. Staff encourage the learning of life skills to prepare the child for independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s views are actively sought and valued. Regular ‘home chat’ meetings allow the child to contribute to decisions about menus, activities and personal goals. The child’s wishes and feelings are recorded in care plans and daily logs. One complaint was recorded, which was taken seriously and responded to promptly by the responsible individual.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming, clean and well decorated. Children can personalise their bedrooms. The property includes an external space for counselling or education sessions. Pets are permitted, and the child has a gecko and a fish tank, adding to the homely atmosphere.

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

Children are safeguarded effectively. Care plans and risk assessments are detailed, regularly updated and reflect the child’s history, needs and risks. Staff understand the child’s vulnerabilities and respond appropriately. Inspection report for children’s home: 2765733 4 Staff understand the child’s triggers and use strategies to help the child make good choices. The recently appointed manager has introduced clear targets to support the child’s progress. Positive behaviour is promoted through meaningful conversations, proportionate consequences and well-planned incentives. This approach has contributed to children’s positive progress.

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

Physical interventions are rare and used only as a last resort. Since the last inspection, one intervention has occurred. Records show improved oversight and review processes under the new manager. Incidents have reduced, and serious incidents are now infrequent. Debriefs take place after any significant events, evidencing good practice.

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

There have been no missing-from-home incidents since the last inspection. Staff understand the missing-from-care policy and can explain how they would respond if needed. Other risks, such as self-harm and online safety, are managed through support plans that are regularly reviewed. Staff and managers clearly express how they would respond should these risks be present for a child.

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

Health and safety standards are generally adequate. However, some fire extinguishers were not in position, and the fire risk assessment had not been reviewed. The fire risk assessment failed to include the boiler cupboard, which opens into a bedroom. The locality assessment is detailed and evaluates environmental risks appropriately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home has been operating for a significant period without a registered manager. A new manager has recently been appointed and intends to register with Ofsted. The manager demonstrates competence and commitment to the home. The new manager has been in post for four weeks at the time of inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The previous manager left in January 2024, and, despite active recruitment efforts, the home operated without a manager or deputy manager for a significant period. This led to gaps in staff practice and management oversight. The new manager has started to address the shortfalls. She has updated the statement of purpose and improved behaviour management plans, records and staff supervision arrangements. Despite these recent improvements, leaders have failed to provide consistent staffing and management oversight for the period without a registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Several recommendations have not been addressed. he quality-of-care review was not submitted, and a report not provided to Ofsted and each child’s placing local authority, within the required six months. Staff are positive about their roles, the child and their colleagues. They are cohesive, reflective and open to change. Input from the psychologist in team meetings has strengthened staff practice. Staff now feel they are well supported by managers. Feedback from professionals highlighted positive changes for the child since moving into the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2765733 5 Safer recruitment practices are followed. Staff know the whistle-blowing procedures. One safeguarding concern raised by staff was handled diligently. New staff receive thorough inductions and access comprehensive training, including specialist courses. Supervision sessions are regular and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Children’s files are well maintained, with detailed daily records written to the child. The local authority documents are present. The manager has introduced a range of improvements to recording, including grading incidents and logging health details and life-skill activities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2765733 6

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Statutory requirements

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

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of the care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(d)(e)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that if there is not a manager in day-to-day charge, adequate arrangements are put in place so that the home is operating with effective day-to-day management and oversight. 30 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2765733 7 If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that firefighting equipment and signage is in place correctly or managed if it needs to be moved, and that the fire risk assessment is comprehensive and reviewed annually. 30 December 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that a review is undertaken on the quality of care provided by the home at least every six months, and a system should be in place to allow for a report to be generated and submitted to Ofsted and each child’s placing authority. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 15.3)

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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: 2765733 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 33 High Street, Harlow CM17 0DN

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Inspector

Daniel Rankin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2765733 9 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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Inspector

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