Children's home run by The Forge Nuneaton Limited

Inspection report children's home: 2703604 1 Registered provider: The Forge Nuneaton 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

The home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to 6 children who may experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 5 children were living in the home. The children spoke to the inspector during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2025 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: 17 February 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2703604 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/02/2025 Full Good 15/08/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report children's home: 2703604 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home, and one child has moved out to a specialist residential home. The manager is a strong advocate for children having planned moves that reflect children’s individual needs. One parent told the inspector that the manager was ‘lovely’ in planning for their child to move into the home. As a result, children and families understand the arrangements for children’s moves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home’s environment is welcoming and comfortable for children. Photos of the children are proudly displayed throughout the home. The communal areas are spacious, and children enjoy playing and relaxing with each other and staff. Children’s bedrooms are designed to reflect their individual diversity. One child told the inspector ‘I love my bedroom.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff value children’s relationships with their families. One family member told the inspector that staff are ‘brilliant’ in supporting family visits. Staff understand how to support related children to live together. They skilfully nurture the children’s individual needs and their relationships with each other. The manager sensitively plans for unrelated children to move into the home. This creates an inclusive and nurturing living environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to share their views, wishes and feelings. One child told the inspector that staff listen, and they rated them ‘10 out of 10’. When children do not feel they are being listened to, the manager arranges for independent advocates to support. A social worker shared that staff are patient in responding to children’s views. As a result, children’s views are valued and are understood by professionals supporting them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to develop their independence. Staff encourage children to choose their activities, clean their bedrooms, plan their finances and cook their meals. Also, staff help children to plan celebrations to reflect their individual diversity and special occasions Staff work together with the clinical team to develop children’s emotional resilience to live independently. For example, one child is being supported to explore their social anxiety and to travel independently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is supported by the manager and the staff team. Three children are in full-time school and one child is in college. Education professionals speak positively about the support that children receive when they experience barriers to education. For example, one child has been supported to obtain a work placement in their chosen career. As a result, children’s future aspirations are nurtured.

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

Children do not go missing from their home. Staff help children to develop trusting and positive relationships which helps them to feel safer living in their home. A social worker Inspection report children's home: 2703604 4 shared that staff are ‘attuned’ to the needs of the children and help them to understand risks in the community. As a result, children receive personalised care and support that reflects their individual needs.

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

Staff are supported by the clinical team to understand children’s needs. Staff help children to understand their needs and the reasons for therapeutic support. For example, one child is being supported to explore their emotional health. Leaders and managers recognise that an area for development is how the guidance provided by the clinical team is recorded in children’s plans and implemented effectively.

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

Staff understand how to support children when they are in crisis. Staff are trained to use physical interventions safely if these are required. The manager provides children and staff with the opportunities to explore their views following incidents. This restorative approach helps children to feel listened to and to review all staff practice, ensuring this is safe. When additional training and support is required, the manager promptly arranges this.

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

Safe recruitment is prioritised by leaders and managers. This ensures that children are being cared for by staff who are suitably qualified and understand their needs. The manager promptly investigates complaints and allegations. When children do not agree with the outcomes, the manager is proactive in arranging independent advocates. This respectful and inclusive approach ensures that children feel valued and they are safer living in their home.

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

The manager takes the safe administration of medication seriously. There has been one recording error regarding a non-prescribed medication. The manager thoroughly investigated this and arranged additional training. As a result, no further difficulties have been identified, and safe medication practices have been maintained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is highly respected by the staff team. He is supported by a dedicated team of staff who are committed to creating a safe and nurturing living environment for children. External professionals speak positively about the quality of communication and the support that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the support they receive from leaders and managers. They receive good-quality training, and mentoring and supervisions that enable staff to achieve their regulatory qualifications. When practice concerns are identified, the manager addresses them promptly, ensuring staff receive additional support and training. As a result, children are cared for by staff who are resilient and understand their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and responsible individual understand the value of learning reviews and research as part of developing safe and effective practice. For example, research regarding online safety has been used to develop staff knowledge and practice. As a result, staff are becoming confident in speaking to children about online risks and effective monitoring systems are in place to help keep children safe. Inspection report children's home: 2703604 5 The manager and staff value the guidance provided by the clinical team and physical intervention trainer. The manager and responsible individual recognise that an area for development is how children’s support and risk plans will include the guidance from the clinical team and the physical intervention trainer. This is being jointly addressed to ensure an effective system is in place. Inspection report children's home: 2703604 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. This specifically relates to streamlining documents and including the guidance from the clinical team and the physical intervention trainer in the children’s support and risk plans. Also, that the actions are recorded and implemented effectively. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 62, paragraph 14.4).

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2703604 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Forge Nuneaton Limited

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Rebecca Grimshaw

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Inspector

Siân Heffey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2703604 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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