Children's home run by Restorative Social Care Services Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2827753 1 Registered provider: Restorative Social Care Services Ltd

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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 operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties or have a learning disability.

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Information about this children's home

Three children were living in the home at the time of this inspection, and the inspector spoke with them all.

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Information about this children's home

This is the first inspection of the home. The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

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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: not previously inspected

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy living in this warm and loving home. They establish strong and trusted relationships with staff, who understand and meet their needs exceptionally well. The home environment is calm, and children describe it as a 'nice place to live'. Children said that they have 'good talks with staff' and staff help them to understand 'important things'. Staff speak with professionalism and confidence and have an excellent knowledge of the help that children need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children describe staff as 'very caring' and said that they are very happy. Children are empowered to have meaningful input into their plans. They are well prepared for meetings about them; they are encouraged to attend and lead the discussions. Children said that they understand that staff want what is best for them and they feel listened to. Child-friendly plans are regularly reviewed with the children and written to the children in a kind and considered way, making them easier to understand. The views and wishes of children are at the centre of decision-making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children who have previously struggled to attend education are now achieving in school and making friends. Their excellent attendance and hard work at school is celebrated and rewarded. Children's learning is consistently promoted, and they are helped to understand the importance of this. When children struggle to know what to do regarding their next steps in education, staff work closely with schools and colleges to ensure that children have choices and options for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Two of the children who live in the home moved with the established staff team and registered manager from another smaller property. The stability and wellbeing of the children was assured throughout the move, and the children love their new home. A comprehensive plan was in place to prepare the children. As a result, children fully understood why they were moving and had the opportunity to view and visit their new home. Children knew how and when things would change, and how their routines would be supported, such as school and leisure clubs. Bright and colourful memory books show how the children enjoyed visiting and exploring their new home and the success of this well-planned move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

When a younger child moved into the home, this included sending photos to them of their 'welcome teddy'; videos and personal messages were also sent from the staff. Some children said they want to live in the home forever. Staff ensure that children are exceptionally well supported and prepared for the next chapter in their lives, understanding that moves into and on from the home can be a difficult and unsettling time for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are encouraged and incentivised to develop their independence skills. Children regularly review the significant progress that they make towards their goals, and they have kind and considered discussions with staff about this. Children have developed the ability to move forward with confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are a part of their local community. Their daily lives are enriched by a broad range of social activities with friends, alongside opportunities for meaningful 'first-time' experiences. These include holidaying with their friends, attending clubs and receiving personalised phone calls from Santa.

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

Children are supported by skilled and knowledgeable staff. The staff communicate effectively and work closely together to provide consistency for children. This helps children with complex needs to settle quickly.

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

Children said they are 'safe' and they ‘like spending time with the staff.’ They are helped to understand their emotions, which sometimes have been overwhelming, and they previously struggled to manage. Children are proud of the progress that they have made and can talk to staff about their feelings and worries. One child has an 'emotions' booklet that they have completed every day with staff over a number of months. Smiley faces and emotions such as 'happy' and 'laughing,' show clear progression from the child's initial feelings of 'worry' and 'anger'.

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

Children are protected from harm. Regular one-to-one discussions with staff help children to understand risk and learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the need for children to progress and take managed risks that are appropriate to their age and ability. Precautions such as phone checks to keep children safe online, are regularly reviewed to make sure they are not overly restrictive. Staff are creative in their efforts to engage children and enhance children's skills and confidence.

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

The number of incidents requiring physical intervention to keep children safe have significantly reduced. Recently, there have been no such incidents, which reflects the progress children have made. When incidents happen, there is a consistent and compassionate response from staff. The manager's analysis of incidents has helped staff to quickly identify triggers for children and adapt their approach. In-house trainers respond swiftly to management requests to deliver bespoke training, supporting staff to meet the individual children's needs and keep them safe.

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

Children's positive behaviour is consistently promoted and rewarded. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques, and the level of challenging incidents is low. Children have the opportunity to discuss any intervention used by staff and these conversations are supportive and kind. There is regular, effective communication with local authorities and relevant professionals about safeguarding issues, allegations, or concerns.

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

Staff demonstrate professional curiosity about children's behaviours and presentation. They share learning, research, and ideas. They work closely with professionals and psychologists to manage and reduce risks to children. Risks to children are exceptionally well managed. There are clear plans and structures in place for children. These plans reflect best practice, research, and guidance from external professionals with specific expertise. One professional said, 'Care and support is individual and children are not defined by labels.'

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is an inspirational role model who makes positive changes to the lives of the children in his care. He has strong oversight of the home and ensures that high standards are maintained. The manager carries out quality audits and their proactive review of every aspect of the home’s function ensures that it is a safe space for children. Children said the manager was 'fair' and he makes sure everything is 'right and ok' for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak very positively about the manager. They value the professional and personal support they receive. There is an established positive culture and a shared ambition for children to achieve their goals. The manager is described as 'extremely knowledgeable, approachable, and a great leader'. Staff say that the manager promotes their individual development and they are enthusiastic about the role. Staff are focused on providing children with a loving, warm and nurturing home. This is inspired by the example and expectations set by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Newly appointed staff experience an induction process that is strong and enables them to be ready and prepared to provide high levels of care to the children. This is supported by a bespoke inhouse induction developed by the manager, and regular and detailed supervision sessions that are carried out with staff. Team meetings regularly include professionals who are able to offer additional expertise and staff-led discussions to explore best practice and effective ways of working. Meetings also enable the manager to review the support to children, maintain high standards and revisit his expectations of the staff. The staff respond with positivity and are highly motivated to provide great care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is regular contact with external professionals and outside agencies. The quality of professional relationships is excellent. Feedback from a wide range of professionals was overwhelmingly positive. Staff were described as 'attentive', providing first-class care. Professionals commented on excellent communication and proactive and individualised support for children. One professional said, 'This is what you want a children's home to be.' Family members said their children were really happy and that staff look after them as if they were their own children. These relationships secure the best possible care and experiences for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is large and spacious, with a large garden and a new trampoline. It has been very well maintained and managed, with high quality decoration and furnishings. There are toys, games, books, and photos of the children throughout the home. This contributes to the environment looking and feeling like a normal family home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were raised following this inspection.

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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'.

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Restorative Social Care Services Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 69a Saddleworth Road, Halifax HX4 8AG

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Benjamin Stenton

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Inspector

Jo Cansfield, Social Care Inspector 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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