Children's home run by Elevated Futures Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2778325 1 Registered provider: Elevated Futures Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private organisation operates this cluster of 3 homes. Ofsted registered the homes in April 2024 under a multi-build registration. The current manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The 3 settings provide care for up to 6 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There were 5 children living across the home’s at the time of this inspection and 4 children were spoken with.

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: 12 November 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: 2778325 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/11/2024 09/10/2024 20/08/2024 Full Monitoring Visit Full Good

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2778325 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make different levels of progress in the home. One child has been supported by staff to develop basic life skills, and to build foundational reading and writing skills. Another child has struggled to make progress, which has at times resulted in them having negative experiences. However, staff demonstrate a strong understanding of this child’s needs and work in an empathetic and strengths-based way. As a result, the child is now beginning to engage with educational activities and recognise their own capabilities.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with staff, who they enjoy spending time with. Staff speak positively about the children and offer encouraging affirmations, including through creative methods such as songs and written messages. This reflects the staff’s genuine care and commitment to the children and their determination to support them to reach their potential.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into the home, this is well planned and sensitively managed. Staff meet with children prior to moving in, helping them to become more familiar with the environment and reducing anxiety. On arrival, children are supported to understand the home’s routines and expectations. Children’s wishes and feelings are actively sought and considered by staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers carefully plan for children when they are ready to move on from the home. One child returned to live with his family, in part due to the positive work carried out by staff. The child’s move was well planned and progressed at a pace that reflected his wishes and needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a largely welcoming environment for children. Soft furnishings, decorations and photos help create a homely atmosphere. . However, some areas of the environment need attention to ensure the upkeep of the home. Leaders and managers recognise where improvement is needed and have started the process to address this.

p.3

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

When children go missing from the home, staff respond promptly and in line with procedures. Staff make proactive efforts to search for children and maintain contact with them. When children return, staff prioritise their safety and wellbeing. Staff work effectively with partner agencies, ensuring that information is shared and risks are understood.

p.3

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

On occasions, staff need to hold children to keep them and others safe. These interventions are proportionate and used only when other de-escalation strategies have not been successful. Conversations with the child and staff help support reflection and Inspection report for children’s home: 2778325 4 learning. Leaders and managers provide appropriate oversight, ensuring that all holds are necessary and in line with policy.

p.3

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

Children’s risk assessments and care plans are detailed and individualised. They provide clear guidance that enables staff to meet children’s needs and keep them safe. Plans are updated regularly, ensuring staff have current information about each child’s risks and support needs.

p.4

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

When allegations are made about staff, senior leaders act swiftly to safeguard children and address concerns. Allegations are investigated thoroughly and in line with the provider’s policies. Appropriate action is taken following these investigations to ensure that only safe and suitable adults work in the home. Leaders are reflective and use learning from these incidents to strengthen practice.

p.4

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

Some children are vulnerable to substance misuse, which has at times resulted in physical and emotional harm. Staff provide appropriate emotional and practical support and seek guidance from specialist agencies. This helps them to respond effectively and meet children’s individual needs.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a change in management during this inspection period, which has been handled well and with minimal impact on the home. Staff report feeling well supported and describe the new manager as approachable, with an open-door culture. One staff member commented that they ‘love working at the home’ and that ‘it doesn’t feel like coming to work’.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager leads a child-centred culture in the home and has a strong, visible presence. They know the children well and have a clear understanding of their individual needs. The manager communicates effectively with children, ensuring that their views are heard.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a high turnover of staff during this inspection period, resulting in a shortage of qualified staff. The manager has recognised this and implemented a plan to ensure that staff have protected time to complete their diploma qualifications. Despite these changes, the home benefits from a core group of experienced staff who provide children with consistency.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear understanding of the areas for development in the home and has started to make progress against identified goals. Staff report that the running of the home and children’s experiences have improved. Staff feel well supported by the management team and receive regular, reflective supervision sessions that helps staff to develop their practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2778325 5 Safeguarding practice in the home is effective. However, the regulator is not always notified of serious incidents in a timely manner. This limits effective oversight from the regulator. Inspection report for children’s home: 2778325 6

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure any damage in the home is swiftly repaired and that maintenance work is completed to ensure a domestic and homely environment for children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified promptly to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. Notification must include details of the action taken by the home’s staff in response to the event. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.13)

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: 2778325 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Elevated Futures Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 1a, Thursby House, Thursby Road, Bromborough, Wirral, Merseyside CH62 3PW

p.7

Inspectors

Kerry Chater, Social Care Inspector (lead) Ladean Wilson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2778325 8 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.

p.7

Inspectors

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 .

p.8

Inspectors

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

Inspectors

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

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8