Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Senad Group Limited in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC404596 1 SC404596 Registered provider: The Senad Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides residential care for up to 17 young people who have communication difficulties or are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were 8 young people living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered and is suitably experienced and qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

The home shares the same site as a separately registered school provision. The inspector only inspected the social care provision at this school.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC404596 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/03/2025 Full Outstanding 27/02/2024 Full Good 04/10/2022 Full Good 07/12/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC404596 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with a high level of nurturing care. They work hard to form relationships with children, who value their support and guidance. There is a feeling of mutual respect between children and staff, and children feel able to approach staff and ask for their help. When children are settling into their new home, staff build positive relationships, which helps them to settle quickly. This nurturing model of care means that for some children they feel more confident, for instance, to eat in front of others and to use their voice more to make their views, wishes and feelings known.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know that children’s education is a key factor in their future success. Attendance at the onsite school, or at a college, is encouraged. When children have a health need that means a flexible approach to school is needed, this is built into their plan. Communication between school and care is cohesive. This means that when individual targets have been achieved, this is celebrated. This reinforces to children that they have worked hard to achieve their successes and their efforts have been recognised.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Due to the age of many of the children, there is a strong focus on preparing for adulthood and further independence. Children are encouraged, in line with their developmental goals, to be as autonomous in their care as they are able. For some children, this means learning to cook a meal, while for others this means travelling independently and learning to drive. Other children manage their own health with oversight and guidance from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children are preparing to move into this home, a high level of fact finding with families and carers means that children settle quickly. When children are preparing to leave, they are provided with a very high level of support and advocacy from staff. Staff have diligently helped one child navigate the complexities of finding a place to live independently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children often stay at this home during the week and travel home at weekends. During the week, they have access to several onsite activities, including a swimming pool and a climbing wall. The home is well maintained and suitably furnished. The children’s bedrooms are individualised and reflect their interests. Children are encouraged to be part of their local community. One child belongs to a local band where they can showcase their guitar playing skills.

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

This home has highly effective safeguarding processes. It works alongside the school and therapy teams. This joined-up approach has meant that children are safer. There are regular professionals’ meetings where children’s care is discussed and key information is shared. Families are a key partner in keeping young people safe and are involved when appropriate. When needed, referrals are made to external safeguarding agencies. Inspection report for children’s home: SC404596 4 Staff are supported and encouraged to build on their knowledge of the children and the most appropriate way to support them and keep them safe. Staff are guided by up-to- date, detailed risk assessments on how to meet the children’s needs and ensure they remain safer in the home and in the community. When needed, the physical environment can be changed to lower risk factors.

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

Staff have their safeguarding knowledge updated and competency tested at regular intervals. Staff have undertaken training on helping children to be safe from radicalisation and how to keep safe online.

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

Staff help children to manage their anxieties and behaviour. This has meant that, generally, children enjoy their residential experience and want to be there. Staff create an atmosphere where children have fun and enjoy their time within shared and respectful boundaries. There have been no physical interventions, and this reflects a very settled group of children.

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

There is a low turnover of staff. When new staff are recruited, there is a robust and highly organised safer recruitment process. This helps to ensure that only those adults who have been assessed as safe to work with vulnerable children are employed in the home.

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

Children, staff and visitors are protected, and their welfare is promoted through the rigorous health and safety arrangements within the education and residential environments.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is well established and provides good continuity and management oversight. They have the required qualification in leadership and management. They have maintained stability in the home for staff and children and are driving forward with new developments. The staff team has had minimal changes. Staff work together with a sense of shared ownership for the children’s progress and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is keen to develop the team. They have implemented a scheme of training that will eventually embed trauma-informed practice. As part of this development, the manager has arranged a review of the premises to identify areas that could improve the overall trauma-informed way of working. Other senior staff are developing new ways to monitor achievements and the setting of incremental targets linked to independent living skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have good and regular opportunities for personal and professional development. New staff begin with a thorough and well-planned induction, including a blended approach to essential training. Most staff have the required qualification. Managers continue to develop their focus on working in partnership with families and carers. One of the children’s family members has provided training for the staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: SC404596 5 The manager ensures that staff have regular and effective supervision. This process allows for staff’s competence and knowledge of children to be reviewed. In addition, staff are provided with guidance and support that contributes to their professional development. Staff can reflect on their practice in monthly team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Support for staff’s emotional wellbeing is prioritised. Reflective practice is now embedded within staff support systems. Managers have organised for staff to have a regular meeting with a therapist. This means that staff have opportunities to reflect on the work they do with children with complex needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC404596 6

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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: SC404596 7

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Senad Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 St. Georges House, Vernon Gate, Derby DE1 1UQ

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Inspector

Simon Hunter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC404596 8 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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