Children's Home run by Island Choices Ltd in Isle of Wight

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to have positive outcomes as a result of living in the home. A social worker commented that staff understand the young people and help them to work through their anger and upset well, while challenging them appropriately. All young people are engaged in some form of educational activity. Close links with the local education team ensures those on reduced time tables are supported to return to full time education as soon as they are emotionally able.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff form positive relationships with individuals, resulting in young people mostly making good progress. For many, the home is their first experience of being in care and they confirm it is a positive experience and they value their relationships with staff. Those who have moved to semi-independence maintain links with staff through outreach support and ad hoc contact. They are secure in the knowledge that they can call on the home for support, even though they are no longer in their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Planning prior to young people moving into the home is sound. All are placed from the local authority, and services are usually already in place at the point of referral. Records are clear in evaluating young people’s progress and areas of continued need. Joint working with emotional well-being and substance misuse professionals ensures swift referral when the need arises. When moving on, individuals benefit from clear, well planned transitions, mostly to semi-independence in the local area. The in-house basement flat helps individuals prepare for this next step. The managers in the home recognise when they are not able to meet the needs of a young person. When concerns are noted, they do not hesitate to contact the placing authority to discuss extra support or to share their views on a more appropriate placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s demeanour and actions demonstrate they feel safe in the home and are comfortable in staff’s company. Consistency in approach to behaviour management leads to limited use of restraint. Sanctions are fair and proportionate with an increased focus on young people’s views and evaluating the effectiveness of the measures. There have been no complaints since the last inspection and any issues within the group or with staff are responded to swiftly and with a restorative approach. The police have been called to the home on a few occasions as a result of serious assaults to others living in the home and staff as well as the use of cannabis in the building. Plans to support the young person involved have been reviewed in response and the youth offending team liaise closely with the home to determine support strategies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection managers have made a concerted effort to improve the quality of care and service provided for young people. They have responded robustly to the shortfalls identified at the last inspection and have made significant changes in order to meet the requirements and recommendations set. Of particular significance is the employment of a second deputy manager with experience externally from the organisation. This has helped greatly with remodelling and bringing policies, procedures and practice up to date. Additionally, a new independent visitor in line with Regulation 44 has been appointed and has so far conducted one visit, which the Registered Manager feels was more in-depth and useful. The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and forwarded to Ofsted. Partnership working is embedded throughout daily practice with communication between family and key professionals now being effectively recorded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Recording systems introduced since the last inspection demonstrate effectively when managers are chasing missing documents from the placing authority, or if they are following up if education placements have been sourced. In-house care plans have significantly improved, including more detail on young people’s culture and identity, such as significant events and celebrations in addition to their nationality and religious beliefs. Policies in relation to safeguarding and child protection have been revamped and include exploitation in all forms and radicalisation risks. The e-safety policy is robust, but focuses on the draconian measures required for a former resident, so therefore is not reflective of the current group. Lone working arrangements have been reviewed and risk assessments updated in line with young people’s individual needs. Activity planners assist with allocation of staff to ensure fewer staff on shift does not impact on

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

social and developmental activities for young people. The management team are available at any time. Recruitment practice has also been improved in order to detail any gaps in employment during the interview process and for reference verification to be clearly indicated. Information which was missing at the last inspection has since been sourced.

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to 8 children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties across two sites approximately one mile apart.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/08/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

14/01/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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

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

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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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