Children's Home run by Shropshire Council in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC382730 Inspector Julian Mason Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Shropshire Council Registered person address Shirehall, Abbey Foregate Shrewsbury Shropshire SY2 6ND Responsible individual Tina Russell Registered manager Ian William Allman Date of last inspection 29/08/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 12/02/2015

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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

The home has been operating as short-breaks service for young people who are on the edge of care for just over 6-months. The service continues to develop and improve as a greater number of young people are referred to the home and take up their short-break placements.

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This inspection

At the last inspection, eight requirements and four recommendations were made all of which have been addressed. The home’s Statement of Purpose has been updated to describe how emergency admissions will be assessed and managed. Improvements have been made to young people’s short break plans to ensure their needs and circumstances are fully reflected in a way that helps shape how they are looked after. The use of bedroom door alarms to monitor young people are assessed and permission for the use of this measure is sought from placing social workers.

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This inspection

A register is now kept showing key information about each young person who is admitted to the home. Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure all young people learn about what to do in an emergency if they have to evacuate the building quickly. Quality assurance systems have been developed further. This has been achieved by ensuring monitoring visits are completed by an independent person who now also provides some evaluation of how well young people are being looked after. The Registered Manager’s own monitoring and evaluation processes are coordinated with necessary reporting timescales to Ofsted.

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This inspection

In addition, young people’s views, wishes and feelings are fully considered in the running of the home. Individual risk assessments are completed to help guide staff in their responses to any missing from care events. Staff receive coaching and training opportunities that match the home’s new purpose and function. Safeguarding procedures and practices have been reinforced to ensure that if an allegation is made against a staff member a referral to the Local Authority 3 of 5 Designated Officer is made.

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This inspection

Young people are very positive about their short-break experiences and say they feel very safe in the home and with the staff who look after them. They look forward to using the service and very much enjoy the routines and activities on offer. Staff are very enabling and encourage young people to exercise as much choice as possible when they come to stay. Young people have freedom to choose their meals and what activities they want to do. Staffing levels are sufficient to ensure that young people can choose from a wide range of stimulating activities and outings. These arrangements are not only enjoyable but also build confidence and provide positive social interactions and experiences.

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This inspection

Partnerships between the home’s staff, parents and professionals are very beneficial and effective. The staff team work hard to ensure relationships with parents are open and helpful. Communication between the home and parents is very good and contributes to a clear understanding about the purpose and value of the short- breaks service. These arrangements enable young people to maintain important routines when they are away from their permanent home. For example, they continue to maintain their attendance at school and go to activities and appointments as if they were still at their family home.

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This inspection

Robust monitoring and quality assurance processes support the Registered Manager in maintaining existing strengths and identifying areas for improvement. The manager continually gathers evidence from a wide range of sources to determine the quality of the service being provided. Feedback is sought from young people, carers and families, social workers and staff. Information collated and evaluated from these groups express a very high satisfaction with the care provided and outcomes being achieved for young people. Although feedback about the service is very positive, the home continues to develop further. In particular, how the direct work completed with young people supports the work undertaken by other professionals in keeping families together. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is owned and operated by a local authority. It provides a short break service for up to four young people at any one time who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/08/2014 Full adequate 21/02/2014 Interim good progress 19/07/2013 Full outstanding 31/01/2013 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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