Children's Home run by Country Care Children’s Homes Ltd in Derbyshire

Unique reference number SC020151 Inspector Rachel Griffiths Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Janine Lyndsay Morrell Date of last inspection 05/08/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 24/02/2015

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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 are making excellent progress in all aspects of their lives. Incidents of young people engaging in risk-taking behaviour such as self-harm significantly reduce, and incidents of them going missing from home stop completely. This is an improved outcome since the last full inspection. All young people are making exceptional educational progress. One young person commented: ‘Living here has made my life better and it has given me better opportunities.’ Another young person said: ‘I was two years behind at school and now I am sitting my GCSE’s. I now really like school and I know what I have to do to fulfil my dream in my chosen career.’ This engagement in education enhances young people’s sense of achievement and their future life chances are greatly improved.

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This inspection

Older young people in the home benefit from engaging in well-planned semi- independence programmes. They are supported and prepared for successful transitions. When young people do move on, this takes place in a planned way and outreach support continues while young people adjust to their new environment. Young people that move on maintain relationships through telephone contact and return visits to the home. This demonstrates the value young people place on the relationships they have built with staff in the home.

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This inspection

Staff continue to provide young people with an outstanding quality of care. They are knowledgeable, skilled and committed. They have high aspirations for young people and are extremely encouraging. A young person said: ‘Staff have motivated me to go to school. They give me lots of encouragement and it is really helpful. They help with homework and they always tell me how proud they are of me. Staff make me feel proud of myself.’ Staff and young people also benefit greatly from the support of in-house therapeutic and educational services. Strong and positive working relationships with a wide range of professionals ensures that young people have access to the most appropriate support to address individual difficulties. This 3 of 6 provides young people with the best opportunity to reach their full potential.

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This inspection

Young people are fully respected and valued in this home. Their views are sought in respect of the day-to day running of the home through weekly young people’s meetings, through key working sessions and through weekly consultation documents. Young people are also fully consulted in the formulation and review of their own care plans and risk assessment. Staff balance risks and the wishes of young people well. They are skilled at explaining things to young people so they understand why their wishes cannot always be fulfilled. As a result, young people feel listened to, but also understand and accept when there are safeguarding reasons why their views cannot take precedence.

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This inspection

Young people have a strong sense of safety in the home. Safeguarding policies and procedures are robust and followed by well-trained staff. Comprehensive risk management plans which recognise young people’s individual vulnerabilities are implemented and regularly reviewed. This enables young people to enjoy new experiences and take reasonable risks as part of their growth and development without their safety being compromised. A parent said: ‘The staff take appropriate risks. They are not too restrictive but have clear boundaries and rules to ensure safety. They have got it just right.’ Consequently, young people are safeguarded while living in this home.

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This inspection

Young people’s behaviour is well managed and it significantly improves. A parent said: ‘My daughter’s behaviour has improved massively. She is not so angry and is doing really well.’ Young people are motivated by positive incentives which are offered in turn for positive behaviour. As a result of effective and proactive behaviour management strategies, the use of sanctions is minimal and physical intervention has not been required since well before the last full inspection. Regular reviews and improved monitoring of behaviour management ensures that behaviour plans remain effective and that practice in this area remains of a high standard.

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This inspection

The management of this home is strong. The implementation of the home’s development plan demonstrates that this is a progressive service which continues to improve. Two requirements made in respect of the home’s Statement of Purpose have been met. The Statement of Purpose, a copy of which is now published on the home’s website, provides clear and accurate information to parents and placing authorities about the care, support and services the home offers.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has made improvements to the monitoring and recording systems in the home. New and improved systems mean that the home is better able to demonstrate the positive impact living in the home is having on young people. External monitoring reports continue to be of a good standard. Internal monitoring reports have improved. A requirement set at the last inspection in relation to the format of internal monitoring reports has been addressed. The internal monitoring reports do not however include evidence of feedback from parents or placing authorities. Although this is not having a direct impact on the safety and well-being 4 of 6 of young people, this is a regulatory shortfall. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It provides care and accommodation for up to eight young people with emotional and/ or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/08/2014 Full good 26/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 10/07/2013 Full good 19/02/2013 Interim inadequate progress

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the system referred to in paragraph (1)(The registered person shall establish and maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at least once every 3 months; and improving the quality of carte provided in the children's home), shall provide for consultation with children accommodated in the home, their parents and placing authorities. (Regulation 34(3)) 24/04/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

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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