Children's Home run by Derby City Council in Derby

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last 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

Children and young people continue to make good progress in many areas of their lives. This is particularly the case in relation to educational attendance, which for some has improved significantly. A social worker commented: ‘The young person’s education is really good. The staff were very active in pushing for the right educational package.’ This has resulted in full-time educational provision, which the young person attends and engages in well. A review report for another child makes reference to ‘100% attendance’, and, ‘a more relaxed and calmer child’, which are significant improvements. Although children and young people are generally healthy and supported to keep medical appointments, some continue to smoke and misuse drugs, despite the input of appropriate services and staff guidance.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people have positive experiences which promote their self- esteem and identity. Their interests are well supported; for example, they play football, go to matches, play pool, meet with their friends and see their families. A parent said: ‘I can’t fault the place. I’m pleased how it is going.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people new to the home have settled in well as a result of the routines, boundaries and structures. One said: ‘It’s well good. I love it here.’ Another young person commented: ‘The staff are really nice.’ When children and young people move in as an emergency placement, staff do all they can to make them welcome and provide them with information to help them feel at home. A social worker commented: ‘They have settled extremely well.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are supported to develop their independent living skills to help them when they move on from the home. This is ideally done in a planned way, although the departure of some young people has been hastened because of their impact on others. Nonetheless, these young people have been supported. For example, a young person’s placement back to the family home has been sustained because staff provided advice and guidance to support the parents during a difficult time. The manager has also been innovative in supporting a young person who she deemed would not be appropriately placed in the home because of the potential impact on the group. Staff were able to provide a good outreach package to enable the young person to live with their family.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of challenging behaviour are gradually reducing over time. Although some young people are occasionally restrained, this has significantly decreased. It is used appropriately, with good managerial oversight. The manager reflects on what may lie behind the behaviour and engages other professionals to assist this assessment. Sanctions are rare as the home works on an incentive scheme to encourage positive behaviour.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people become safer as staff engage well with other safeguarding agencies, such as the police and the local authority designated officer. Some young people have unauthorised absences and are occasionally designated as missing from care. Staff do all they can to encourage young people to keep in touch and return safely.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has good systems for ensuring she is fully aware of the operation of the home, its impact on the outcomes, progress and experiences of children and young people, and where improvements can be made. She completes a thorough audit every month which feeds into her six monthly report. Additionally, she reads all staff supervision notes so that she can monitor staff practice and developmental needs. The reports from the independent person demonstrate a similarly robust approach to assessing the quality of care and are used to improve practice. The manager is reflective and keen to consider and use the advice of others where this can improve outcomes for children and young people. She is currently progressing the plans for each member of staff to take a lead in a particular area. This is proving successful in increasing staff awareness and knowledge, and thus their competence.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good partnership working has been effective in improving children’s and young people’s outcomes. For example, various professionals, including the children in care nurse, advocacy services and a drug and alcohol misuse worker, have attended young people’s meetings to raise their awareness about issues such as sexual health, drugs and independent sources of support. The manager and staff are effective advocates to ensure children’s and young people’s needs are met and their voices are heard. For example, they provide challenge to education providers to ensure children and young people are not disadvantaged because of their looked after status. They also engage well with social workers to progress plans so that children and young people have a clearer understanding of what is happening. Social workers speak highly of the manager and staff and have a good relationship with them. One commented: ‘The staff know the children and are doing really

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

good work.’ Communication is good, they are kept informed and staff make a positive and relevant contribution to multi-agency meetings. A social worker also commented that staff remain very positive and encouraging about young people, despite some significant challenges.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements and two recommendations were made at the last inspection. These have been satisfactorily addressed, which has improved children’s and young people’s outcomes. Staff are now receiving regular supervision, which they report as being of good quality and ‘motivating’. This provides appropriate challenge and ensures their practice remains child focused. Medication administration and recording have improved through staff supervision and training. Although no child or young person is currently taking medication, systems have improved to make the practice safer. If a child or young person returns from missing from care, an independent return interview takes place. Although this is not currently the case if a child or young person has an unauthorised absence, the issue has been raised with the local authority and relevant stakeholders and is under discussion. The manager has therefore done what she can to progress this.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The local safeguarding children board has updated its policies and procedures to include the risks from radicalisation and extremism, and staff have had training to increase their knowledge and awareness of this area. This keeps children and young people safer and protects them from potential harm.

p.4

Information about this children's home

This local authority children’s home is registered for five children or young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

05/12/2014 Interim Sustained Effectiveness

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