Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire YMCA in Nottingham

Unique reference number SC444681 Inspector Philip Cass Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Nottinghamshire YMCA Registered person address YMCA 4 Shakespeare Street NOTTINGHAM NG1 4FG Responsible individual Brenda Arlene Serrant Registered manager Richard Slater Date of last inspection 26/11/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 24/02/2015

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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

Developments in the home ensure that young people enjoy a better quality of care. Behaviour management is improved. Incentive and reward systems have been overhauled so that they set clearer expectations of conduct. This means that young people, particularly those who display challenging behaviours, have a greater prospect of achieving good outcomes. Some young people continue to place themselves at risk through substance misuse and by going missing from the home. However, staff are more pro-active in their efforts to minimise the impact of these behaviours. Consequently, young people are safer.

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This inspection

Managers have a clear focus on improvement. Since the last inspection they have devised realistic plans to support young people to achieve consistently strong outcomes. The home’s development plan has driven improvement in key working, transition planning, and activity provision. Young people describe the home as ‘a good place’. They say that they build strong friendships with other residents and do not experience any bullying. Most young people now have improved school attendance and are attaining strong academic results. Staff work pro-actively with schools to ensure that young people have access to extra tuition. This means that they are increasingly confident of gaining qualifications and progressing into higher education.

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This inspection

Young people often develop improved emotional resilience following admission to the home. Improved placement stability enables them to form trusting relationships with staff. Secure attachments with care staff help young people to grow in self- esteem and self-confidence. Established links with local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services mean that staff and young people have access to good quality advice in relation to mental and emotional health. As a result, young people are well supported to overcome the impact of traumatic life experiences. When young people 3 of 5 settle into the home, self-harming behaviours reduce significantly.

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This inspection

Six requirements were made at the previous inspection. These have been fully addressed. Because sanctions and restraints are now reviewed promptly by managers, there is a reduced likelihood of abusive practice developing. Safeguarding systems are also improved because young people now have access to a phone which they may use without reference to persons working in the home. By updating the home’s Statement of Purpose, managers ensure that parents, social workers, and placing authorities have accurate information about the home.

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This inspection

The effectiveness of external quality assurance visits is improved. They are more thorough because the views of young people are now sought and recorded. More robust monitoring of the home promotes the safety and welfare of young people. Monitoring of the home is further improved because managers are now diligent in notifying the regulatory body of serious incidents in the home.

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This inspection

The home has improved the way that it encourages young people to pursue appropriate leisure interests. There is a much greater focus on structured activity. For example, in recent weeks young people have attended drama workshops, become members of local gyms, taken ski lessons, attended football matches, and participated in a range of after school clubs. This enables them to learn new skills and make constructive use of their leisure time. Greater involvement in the community supports young people to become more confident and develop improved social skills. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a national charity and provides care and accommodation for up to three young people at the main residential site and a further two young people at a satellite home close by. The home provides care and accommodation for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/11/2014 Full adequate 25/03/2014 Interim good progress 15/01/2014 Full adequate 24/10/2012 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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