Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Calderdale

Unique reference number SC450728 Inspector Stella Henderson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Time-Out Children's Homes Limited Registered person address Timeout Childrens Homes Ltd, Unit 2 Mill Fold, Ripponden SOWERBY BRIDGE West Yorkshire HX6 4DH Responsible individual Andrew David Cook Registered manager Lisa Jane Collins Date of last inspection 13/11/2013 2 of 5 Inspection date 18/06/2014

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

Young people continue to thrive in this home and enjoy excellent quality care. This is due to the very strong leadership from the manager and the highly focused work of staff. Young people contribute to their own success by their commitment to education and in accepting the help and opportunities on offer.

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This inspection

One of the strongest areas of development has been the change in the way staff work with young people. Direct training is now provided for staff by the in-house psychologist. This has helped staff to better understand young people's adverse experiences and the way this affects their behaviour.

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This inspection

The input from the psychologist has equipped staff with some very practical and effective therapeutic techniques. It has improved how staff respond to young people both daily and at times of crisis. Staff speak very positively about their work and the difference that this approach is making to their understanding and management of young people.

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This inspection

This change in practice is having a marked impact on young people. They experience a decrease in anxiety and emotional and aggressive outbursts. Their decision-making is improving and they are less likely to put themselves at risk. This is evident from the significant reduction in both young people going missing from home and self-harming incidents.

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This inspection

Young people are experiencing much more emotional stability and as a result they are able to get on with their lives, particularly their education. One young person is currently working hard on revising for national examinations, another is on a residential course in preparation for mountain climbing in Europe. Young people socialise with friends, have boyfriends, learn to drive, undertake voluntary work, have sleep-overs, attend music festivals and go on holiday at home and abroad. 3 of 5 Things do not always run smoothly and there are sometimes 'blips' in behaviour, but these are managed well. Staff use the tools of discussion and negotiation rather than sanctions to shape positive behaviour, assisted by very effective liaison with local safeguarding agencies. Consequently safeguarding arrangements and behaviour management remains highly effective.

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This inspection

Strong partnership working also exists with health and education professionals. However, as they approach independence young people are increasingly taking responsibility for dealing directly with these agencies. This includes making their own medical appointments, arranging their own work experience and bidding for housing tenancies.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager is highly experienced and suitably qualified but still relatively new to this organisation. Since the last inspection she has made a significant difference to how the home functions and how staff understand their work. Her monitoring of the home drills down to young people's individual experiences and pinpoints the home's strengths and areas for development. This adds considerably to the bespoke quality of care each young person receives and drives forward improvement of the service overall.

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This inspection

For example, the Registered Manager identified that the staff team was not operating in the overall best interests of young people. Adjustments were made and young people now say they prefer the way the team are working together. It has reduced petty jealousies between young people and provides them with much greater support across the team.

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This inspection

The provider is continuing to drive up standards by appointing staff to the home who are educated to degree level in relevant subjects such as forensic psychology. This gives them a head start as they are already familiar with some of the concepts underpinning residential social work. Additionally, they are proving to be excellent role models for young people who aspire to go on to further and higher education.

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This inspection

The provider has met the requirement made at the last inspection to improve a specific element of the vetting of new staff. This leaves young people better protected against unsuitable individuals being employed at the home. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children's home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. No young people were present at this inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/11/2013 Full good 21/05/2013 Interim good progress 12/02/2013 Full good Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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