Children's Home run by Active Ark Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC439956 Inspector Elaine Clare Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Active Ark Ltd Registered person address Active Ark, Unit E Baron Way, Kingmoor Business Park CARLISLE CA6 4SJ Responsible individual Derek Blyth Registered manager Louise Matthews Date of last inspection 10/12/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 26/02/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

At the last full inspection in December 2014, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as adequate with eight requirements and two recommendations made. The home has demonstrated the ability to improve the quality of care provided. A particular strength of the home is their ability to form positive relationships with ‘hard to reach’ young people.

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This inspection

At the last inspection two requirements were set to ensure that the home promoted the welfare needs of young people by promoting their behaviour management policy. In response the Registered Manager developed a new behaviour management policy with a clear emphasis on promoting positive behaviour. This has led to improve outcomes for young people. A requirement was also made around the reduction of young people smoking in the home, as they fell significantly below the legal age to smoke. The Registered Manager put a strategy in place with the young people and this has been so successful that the young people have stopped smoking. This is a significant achievement for young people and results in them living healthier lives. The remaining requirements did not have a direct impact on young people’s welfare but included supervision of staff, the correct address for Ofsted within the complaints policy, notification of significant events at the home to

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This inspection

Ofsted and a list of staff employed in the home to be included in the Statement of Purpose. These have all been satisfactorily addressed. A final requirement was made about the Regulation 33 visitor. Regulation stipulates that the visitor should not or ever have worked for the organisation. The organisation has addressed this by contracting a new independent person to carry out their visits in the future.

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This inspection

The recommendations made at the last inspection have also been met. Medication is now given as the prescription describes. A further recommendation around the timeliness of reports is progressing with the new independent visitor completing their first visit the week of the inspection. 3 of 5 Young people receive well planned and focused care in line with their assessed needs. The staff team is experienced and committed to improving outcomes for young people who are moving onto their next placement, which in some circumstances is a return home. Young people are positive about their care and experiences of living in the home. Written interactions demonstrate that the staff team are skilled in effectively engaging young people who are anxious and worried about their next move, and they support them successfully to overcome barriers. Staff apply clear and consistent boundaries and encourage young people to make

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This inspection

aspirational life choices. As a result, young people have gained skills to positively manage their own behaviour and succeed both socially and educationally. The culture within the home celebrates progression and achievement. As a result, young people recognise the progress they have made, no matter how small it may initially appear.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection the former assistant manager has been appointed into the role of home manager. The manager is currently awaiting all required checks in order to progress their application to be registered with Ofsted. The manager has many plans for the future of the service. The building has undergone some reorganisation and redecoration, providing a warmer and more welcoming environment. The management team within the home have considered the impact of the new regulations on the service they provide to ensure they are compliant with them, including considering environmental and community risk assessments. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children's home is registered to accommodate and care for one young person. Young people accommodated at the home experience emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is one of eight homes owned by the company, but the first sited in England. It accepts emergency placements and can offer care to young people on a short, medium or long-term basis.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2014 Full adequate 03/02/2014 Interim good progress 12/11/2013 Full good 19/10/2012 Full adequate 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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