Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Partnership of The Chartwell Group in Cambridgeshire

Unique reference number SC015264 Inspector Angie Bishop Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Registered manager Jason Wright Date of last inspection 25/09/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 26/02/2015

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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

The manager has addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection. There are no shortfalls identified at this inspection. The manager and deputy manager have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. This understanding informs the plans for future development of the home.

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This inspection

All young people have recently chosen new décor for their bedrooms and the main living areas. As a result, the young people each have a personalised space to enjoy and living areas that they have been part of redecorating. The young people now take greater ownership of the home as it feels more like their home. One young person enthusiastically said: ‘The games room had really old pictures on the walls, a staff member can draw, he is going to draw figures from our favourite cartoons on the walls and we are going to help paint them.’

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This inspection

Staff encourage young people to share their views using questionnaires, young peoples’ meetings, and focus work sessions. Young people also have access to an independent advocate. Consequently, they have an active role in effecting change and feel that their opinions are valued. The manager and staff consult with parents and placing local authorities. As a result, the manager effectively monitors the service he is providing and is able to make informed improvements. One parent said, ‘absolutely brilliant. Always open with me and any problems they tell me straight away, he has been a lot happier since he has been in this home.’

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This inspection

All staff access a comprehensive training program; this includes support to achieve formal qualifications. All staff work from a practical and theoretical base that informs their understanding of young people’s individual needs. This understanding translates into positive outcomes for young people. One member of staff said: ‘Since the last inspection staff are really pushed and supported to achieve.’ 3 of 5 Young people attend the onsite school and attendance levels are high. They engage in academic and practical activities. In metalwork, young people are currently making a patio set, which they have designed. Through this, they are developing an understanding of the importance of their individual contributions in creating a finished product. Staff support young people with homework three nights per week. Young people do not access activities until their homework is completed. As a result, they learn to manage their time outside of school.

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This inspection

Young people access a number of activities in the community. One young person has recently joined sea cadets and another is attending a local youth group. This means they improve their social skills and develop independent friendships away from the home.

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This inspection

Staff develop productive relationships with young people’s families and consistently facilitate and promote positive contact. Consequently, young people enjoy contact with significant family members. As a result, they are less likely to place themselves at risk seeking out covert contact. A social worker said: ‘The young person’s experience of the home is very good, they are really supportive of him through difficult times, they have invested in building a relationship between him and his mother.’

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This inspection

Staff support young people to develop independent living skills. Young people plan menus, go shopping, prepare and cook meals. They also contribute to tasks within the home including cleaning and ironing. As a result, they feel a sense of achievement and learn age appropriate skills for independence. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, and/or learning difficulties. This is a children's home which specialises in offering long-term placements to boys. The home has an independent special school on site.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/09/2014 Full good 10/01/2014 Interim inadequate progress 29/04/2013 Full good 08/11/2012 Interim good progress 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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