Children's Home run by iMap Centre Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

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 improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The purpose of this visit is to assess the progress made since the last inspection and how any progress has improved the quality of care and outcomes for young people. Young people are happy, settled and safe. They continue to enjoy a wide range of positive experiences that affords them the opportunity to develop their social interactions and personal development. For example, going to watch a basketball game, swimming, visiting museums, eating out regularly and going on holiday. Young people benefit from positive relationships with the staff and each other.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person said, ‘it’s good here…I like having my independence and being able to walk to the shops on my own.′ Young people are well supported to develop their independent skills taking into account their age and understanding. Every Friday each young person takes turns to shop and prepare a meal of their choosing for the rest of the group. They also grew their own vegetables during the summer. This not only gives young people a sense of achievement but also gives them confidence in their own abilities. Since the last inspection, a young person has moved from the home to adult services. Careful planning between the home and other agencies ensured he move on from the home in a well-planned and sensitive manner.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are in full time education and attend regularly. Staff maintain daily contact with school including offering additional support in the classroom. This helps provide consistency in care. A young person’s end of year report commented that he is taking more of an active part in lessons. In addition, he recognises when he is becoming anxious and will take himself away to calm down. It was noted at his last review meeting that that the home are positively addressing his emotional and behavioural needs, and that his behaviour has vastly improved. Young people live in a physically safe and secure environment. They are protected from harm through: high levels of supervision; good risk assessments and regular health and safety checks. However, the records of fire drills are not robust, for example, one recent drill does not accurately reflect all those that took part in the evacuation and another does not record what time the drill took place. This is not

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

affecting the welfare and safety of young people at present.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has shared care arrangements in place for two young people; this does not breech their conditions of registration. However, the statement of purpose does not specify that these arrangements are in place or how the needs of those young people living in the home long term are taken into account. Most young people know each other well because they attend the same school.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The three requirements made at the last inspection have been addressed. The manager has revised the restraint records to include the effectiveness of the measure. This enables him to identify any patterns or trends and ensure restraint is only used as a last resort. The staff work well promoting positive behaviour, as a result, there has on been one restraint since the last inspection. Young people's local authority care plans and other legal documents are now kept in the home rather than at the organisations head office. This means that staff have access to important information relating to the young people.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The monitoring of the quality of care within the home is routinely undertaken by an independent person. HMCI regularly receive copies of the visitors monitoring reports; this provides an overview of the home between inspections.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has also made progress in meeting the three recommendations from the last inspection. Specifically, that personal education plans are in place so they are clear what each young person’s learning objectives are. Work is ongoing with staff to ensure their handwriting is legible and clearly expressed in the homes records.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people live in a spacious and well maintained home. Some young people enjoy sitting and looking out of the large window at the top of the stairs; a net curtain now provides them with a modicum of privacy, particularly in the evenings. They benefit from living in a home that fully supports them to make good progress and enjoy new experiences.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is owned and operated by a private, independent organisation that provides care and accommodation for up to five young people with learning disabilities.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

(3)(a) keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

(b) notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This is specifically in relation to detailing the arrangements for shared care and permanent placements. 07/12/2015

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; and ensure that the records are kept up to date. This specifically relates to the fire records. (Regulation 37 (1)) 07/12/2015

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

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

p.7