Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

Unique reference number SC403895 Inspector Matthew Hedges Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Stoke on Trent City Council Registered person address City of Stoke-on-Trent, Civic Centre Glebe Street STOKE-ON-TRENT ST4 1HH Responsible individual Susan Hammersley Registered manager Dean Wilton / POST VACANT Date of last inspection 16/12/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 23/02/2015

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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

Since the last inspection, young people have made good progress in important areas of their life. All young people now attend school regularly. As a result, their academic attainment has increased. For some young people this is a significant improvement. Professionals confirm the progress they have made. A social worker commented that a young person had, ‘really matured’. A teacher noted, ‘a vast improvement’. Young people are rightly proud of their achievements. This promotes their self-esteem. These improvements have been underpinned by effective support from staff. One social worker highlighted this noting the, ‘continuing exceptional work of the team’.

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This inspection

Young people’s risk taking behaviour has reduced. There has been a decrease in young people going missing. Police involvement has also reduced. This helps young people to focus on more positive aspects of their life. They say that they feel safe. They are positive about the home and the support they receive from staff. One young person commented that, ‘staff have been there for me a lot, we have been through a lot together’.

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This inspection

The manager and staff work closely with professionals from a range of agencies. This includes social care, education, health and the police. This ensures that information is shared appropriately. This has improved outcomes for young people. Professionals talk positively about the home and the effectiveness of the partnership working.

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This inspection

There is no Registered Manager in post. The new manager has recently applied to register with Ofsted. The effectiveness of the monitoring arrangements in the home has improved. The manager now produces regular monitoring reports. He is aware of the home’s strengths and weaknesses and has taken steps to address the vast majority of the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. These include 3 of 6 improvements to pre-employment checks for staff, and fire safety. The process for notifying HMCI, Ofsted of serious incidents has also improved. In addition, a range of reforms to the home’s recording processes have been implemented. These actions have enhanced the quality of the service offered to young people.

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This inspection

One previous recommendation has not been met. This relates to members of staff being placed in sole charge of the home before they have completed their probationary period. The manager has risk assessed this effectively. This has ensured that there is no impact on young people or the support they receive.

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This inspection

Two additional shortfalls were also identified at this inspection. The home’s statement of purpose has not been revised to reflect the appointment of the new manager. In addition, the home does not review the effectiveness of the learning and development programme annually. The manager is aware of these shortfalls and has started to address them. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by the local authority.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/12/2014 Full adequate 28/03/2014 Interim good progress 18/12/2013 Full good 13/03/2013 Interim good 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

5 (2001) ensure that the home's statement of purpose is kept under review and, where appropriate, revise the statement of purpose. (Regulation 5 (a)) 10/04/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that staff members who are placed in charge of the home have successfully completed their induction and probationary periods (NMS 17.5)  ensure that the learning and development programme is evaluated for effectiveness at least annually and if necessary is updated. (NMS 18.2) 5 of 6 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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