Children's Home run by Care Focus Limited in Essex

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have met both requirements from the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Senior managers are actively present in this home. They have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses, recognising the work required to evidence the homes effectiveness fully. The Registered Manager has stepped down. The home has a new manager, one month in post, who participated in this inspection. With support from senior managers he is reviewing the quality of care. However, HMCI has not received the required report from the provider for over six months. In addition, a revision of the homes Statement of Purpose is required to ensure it reflects current regulation. These requirements have no impact for the young people living in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people continue to make progress. They have enjoyed an active summer and have each had the opportunity to go on an individual holiday. During this inspection the young people were preparing to return to education. Because young people are involved in reviewing their own progress and setting personal targets they are clear about the expectations. The day to day routine and structure encourages participation. As a result, staff successfully motivate them to be involved in achieving the goals identified in their individual plans. One young person was pleased to show the inspector the work she has been completing towards developing skills in independent living.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

They lead busy lives, taking part in a plethora of activities. For example; swimming, running, gym, roller skating, guitar lessons, youth club and raising money for charity. This means that young people are also engaged in a range of pursuits out of the classroom. The home has effective working relationships with those partner agencies who routinely visit. One social worker said:’ communication is good and staff are good at keeping in touch.’ However, the home should go further to reach out to the wider network of specialist external professionals. Consequently, this inspection recommends that staff become familiar with the functions of the designated nurse for looked after children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do routinely access the continuum of community services available to promote healthy physical and emotional well-being for example GP, dentist and optician. In addition, young people can access the services of therapists through the provider. Staff are attentive and respond thoughtfully where a young person’s behaviour may cause concern. However, the current system for reporting incidents of self-harm falls short because staff do not differentiate in recording between self- harm and accidental injury.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

On the very few occasions young people go missing, staff effectively follow procedure to ensure young people’s safe return. Physical interventions continue to be infrequent and used by staff as an opportunity to promote learning for the few young people involved. Incentives successfully encourage positive behavioural change resulting in few significant incidents. The young people do not identify bullying as a problem. The new manager has a system for dealing with complaints and as a result there is clear evidence of the responses to young people. This means that young people feel listened to. One young person said: ‘The staff here give us all good support.’

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Information about this children's home

This home is one of a group, run by an independent provider. Staff offer individualised care and support for up to four young women. Teachers provide education within the setting. Young people have the opportunity to benefit from direct therapeutic intervention.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/10/2014 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of the care provided for children at least once every 6 months and supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (4) (a)) 30/10/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and revise it. They must notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3) (a) (b)) 30/10/2015

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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

Staff should have sufficient understanding of relevant health services, including the functions of the designated nurse for looked after children in their area. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 34,paragraph 7.8)

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Recommendations

Ensure staff are familiar with the homes policies on recording and understand the importance of careful recording. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child with specific reference to recording incidents of self-harm (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62,paragraph 14.4)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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