Children's home run by Vita Spirit Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 1 Registered provider: Vita Spirit Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home owned by a small private company and provides care for up to 2 children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is not yet registered with Ofsted but has submitted an application for their registration.

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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 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: 10 December 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: 2787284 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is highly personalised to the child. The child enjoys visiting aquariums and this is reflected throughout the home. The child’s bedroom is personalised, with lights that create an underwater atmosphere. There is a sensory room that provides opportunities for relaxation and exploration. The child’s toys and sensory activities, including water play and sand tray, are visible throughout the home and easily accessible for the child. This reinforces the child’s sense of belonging and permanence, enabling them to feel settled, secure and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from a consistent, skilled staff team who place the child’s needs at the centre of practice. Staff have developed a thorough understanding of the child’s nonverbal communication, and they have introduced creative, innovative approaches to support communication, which has helped the child feel increasingly understood. As a result, the child is independently making choices about their preferences, including food items.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child attends school regularly. A member of staff is undertaking additional training alongside education professionals to strengthen and inform a consistent plan for home and in school. Research-informed approaches, such as music therapy and sensory touch, are used at home and in school. This collaborative approach is having a positive impact on the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to spend time with individuals who are important to them. Staff use clear visual aids to help reduce the child’s anxiety around family time and make the routine more predictable. This consistent approach has strengthened the child’s sense of security and enabled them to take part in family visits with increased confidence. A parent said: ‘They are amazing, I view them as family, we all work together and [Name of child] is treated like they are their own child.’

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

The child’s safety and wellbeing are prioritised by staff. When risks have arisen, staff have used appropriate holds, ensuring the child understands what is happening by using their preferred method of communication. As a result of consistent practice and clear de-escalation strategies, incidents have reduced significantly.

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

The child has well-structured plans that outline the support required when they experience heightened emotions. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities and regularly review these plans to reflect what is effective in practice. This consistent approach has enabled the child to develop improved emotional regulation.

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

There have been no safeguarding concerns or allegations. However, staff are suitably trained in safeguarding subjects to provide them with the skills to identify any concerns Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 4 and to respond suitably. Safeguarding scenarios are discussed in team meetings and staff can explain the correct process they would follow should a concern arise.

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

Leaders and managers ensure that recruitment processes are thorough. All relevant checks are undertaken to ensure that staff are safe and suitable before being offered employment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, the previous manager has left, and a new manager has been appointed. Leaders ensured that the transition was well managed and the new manager had time to build relationships with the child and staff at a pace that did not disrupt daily routines. During this period, key managerial tasks were overseen by the responsible individual, enabling the new manager to focus on getting to know all aspects of the home. This ensured consistency for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has reviewed all incidents since the last full inspection to identify any patterns. This has informed the home’s development plan and ensures that practice continues to evolve in response to the child’s changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have high expectations of staff. Staff are guided to consider what children are expressing through their behaviours and to respond in ways that support emotional growth and create positive, meaningful experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have established clear development pathways that enable staff to progress into management roles or develop specialist skills. Ongoing training is embedded in practice, ensuring that staff continually build their knowledge and confidence. The team is developing specialist areas of practice, with staff undertaking training in approaches such as Makaton and sensory massage to enhance the support available to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are used as an opportunity to discuss the child’s progress and any recommendations from independent visitor reports. This allows staff to revise, review and evaluate their work so that good practice thrives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is highly skilled, committed and attuned to the child’s needs. Staff demonstrate strong practice, applying their training confidently and working consistently to provide a safe, nurturing and engaging environment. Staff know the child well and use this knowledge to offer sensitive, individualised support that promotes positive experiences and progress. Their calm, thoughtful and coordinated approach reflects a team that takes pride in its work and is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they are supported and understood and have opportunities to consider their progress through regular meaningful supervision, appraisals and probation reviews. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 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 for children’s home: 2787284 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Vita Spirit Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 28 Rodney Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 2TQ

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Inspector

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2787284 7 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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Inspector

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