Children's Home run by Pure Care Homes Ltd in Manchester

Inspection report for children’s home: 2717183 1 Registered provider: Pure Care Homes Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a small private company. It provides care for up to 3 children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home. The child spoke to the inspector.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is an interim manager in post who has submitted their application to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 22 October 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2717183 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/10/2024 Full Good 26/07/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2717183 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has lived in the home for over a year. They are settled and making progress in many aspects of their life. Two children have successfully moved on from the home in line with their individual care plans. The manager demonstrated good oversight in ensuring that the planning was child focused, and the home continues to provide ongoing support, advice and guidance while they adjust to their new homes. This reflects a commitment to supporting children’s long-term stability and wellbeing as they move on to the next stage of their lives.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well understood, and they are supported to access a range of specialist services to ensure that their physical and emotional wellbeing is supported. In addition, staff benefit from consultation with the organisation’s psychologist. This strengthens their understanding and enhances the consistency of care to children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting children’s education. They work closely with education professionals and the virtual school to ensure that children are supported to engage in learning and, when necessary, to secure educational placements that are well matched to each child’s needs. As a result, 2 children successfully gained some recognised qualifications. For another child, individualised plans are in place to promote attendance and support a gradual reintegration into learning. However, they lack clarity regarding the specific enrichment activities being offered to support this process.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work in partnership with parents to ensure that children maintain links to people who are important to them. Families are welcomed into the home, helping children to feel proud of where they live. This supports children’s sense of belonging and identity. One parent said, ‘[Name of child] has good relationships with the staff, and they take good care of him. I am really grateful.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to engage in hobbies and activities that reflect their individual interests. Children also benefit from an annual holiday abroad, providing valuable and shared experiences, which creates long-lasting, positive memories.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to share their views, and staff provide opportunities to discuss plans and activities for the week ahead. As a result, children feel listened to and are actively engaged in decisions that shape their daily lives.

p.3

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

Children’s safety and wellbeing are at the heart of staff practice. The staff have built trusting relationships with children and have regular discussions about important Inspection report for children’s home: 2717183 4 issues such as staying safe, managing relationships, emotional wellbeing and substance misuse.

p.3

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

Staff promote stability for children, which is underpinned by a clear understanding of their needs and vulnerabilities. The manager ensures that risk management plans for children are in place, which identify relevant risks and outline strategies to keep children safe. However, in some areas, they lack some detail that would further support staff practice and ensure consistent responses. Despite this, staff responses to incidents show appropriate practice to support children.

p.4

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

Missing-from-home episodes are managed and responded to promptly by staff. Staff follow the missing-from-home protocol and understand what actions to take. Staff search for children and collect them when they are ready to return home.

p.4

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

Staff respond promptly and effectively to any incidents of self-harm, ensuring that children receive immediate first aid, additional medical attention and further specialist assessments as required. Appropriate external agencies are involved when required, ensuring a coordinated and responsive approach, tailored to the child’s individual needs. This collaborative approach helps to reduce risk and support children’s emotional wellbeing.

p.4

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

When there are concerns related to substance misuse, staff take appropriate action. This includes monitoring the child’s wellbeing, seeking medical advice and intervention when necessary and engaging children in supportive conversations to address the risks and promote safer choices. As a result, incidents are reducing.

p.4

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

Staff ensure that children are provided with clear routines and boundaries. They spend time with children to help them understand appropriate behaviours. Staff use reward charts, incentives and consequences for unwanted behaviour.

p.4

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

Safer recruitment practices are in place, although applicants’ employment histories are not consistently recorded with specific dates. This limits the ability to explore gaps in employment and fully assess suitability.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The interim manager has been promoted from within the organisation, and she is progressing her application to register with Ofsted. The manager, supported by the deputy manager, leads with a child-focused vision, and they strive for the best possible outcomes for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff state they feel well supported and valued. One staff member said, ‘The support from my manager has been incredible. She has helped me every step of the way, building my confidence and supporting my growth as a leader.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings provide regular opportunities for staff to discuss children’s needs, review care plans and monitor progress. They also serve as a forum for reflection Inspection report for children’s home: 2717183 5 and support staff’s ongoing development and learning. This equips staff with the knowledge and skills to meet children’s needs effectively.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a comprehensive training and induction programme, which supports their ongoing development. The manager is committed to ensuring that staff also have access to tailored training in line with children’s emerging needs. This enhances their ability to respond with confidence.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager maintains connections within the local community, supporting children to actively engage in community activities. Events have included hosting a bake sale to raise money for a charity toy appeal.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular structured supervision sessions. However, records do not consistently demonstrate how supervision is used to embed learning or further upskill staff. This is a missed opportunity to improve the quality of care provided.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that there is effective multi-agency working with strong communication and collaboration. This means that children’s needs are consistently advocated for and that decisions made are in children’s best interests to achieve positive outcomes across all areas of their lives. Inspection report for children’s home: 2717183 6

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when a child is not participating in full- time education, they are supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.14)  The registered person should ensure that reactive strategies for managing children’s presenting behaviours are clearly outlined in risk management plans and behaviour support plans to inform staff practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that applicants provide a full employment history with clear, specific dates so that any gaps in employment can be appropriately explored. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place so that staff receive supervision of their practice which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children in their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

p.6

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: 2717183 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pure Care Homes Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 3, 212 Washway Road, Sale, Greater Manchester M33 6RN

p.7

Inspector

Shauna Morley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2717183 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8