Children's Home run by Sheffield City Council in Sheffield

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the last 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

Young people continue to seek work, training and education placements that meet their needs. This can sometimes mean several attempts until they find the right option, and their commitment and attendance can vary. Staff persevere in keeping young people interested and involved in the choices available for them. They help them look for apprenticeships, college and apply for jobs, keeping them firmly grounded and supporting them to achieve realistic outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are gradually acquiring the skills they will need for independence. The support they receive helps them to accomplish basic tasks such as cooking, budgeting and household chores.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition they learn some of the less evident aspects of self-sufficiency, such as locating the water stopcock, emptying the filter from the washing machine and putting together a chest of drawers. Planning for independence is an area of improvement since the last inspection and the recommendation is therefore met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Boundaries continue to be challenged by some young people and in some instances their behaviour has resulted in criminal convictions. The manager and staff are working effectively with youth offending agencies to ensure young people adhere to their relevant orders. Focused key working is also helping to reduce the chance of re-offending.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

On occasion staff have needed to use physical intervention to help prevent serious damage and assault. These strategies have been used effectively and consequently, the need to use this measure has reduced. A recommendation to ensure that all staff are fully trained in restraint techniques before they use them has been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding practice is effective. When a recent concern emerged about potential child sexual exploitation, staff responded immediately to alert the police and other safeguarding agencies. As a result, the young person was protected from harm. This demonstrates that a requirement to improve child protection practice is met. Young people want to exercise their right and choice to visit and stay with friends. Staff work well to balance this increasing need for independence with the need to safeguard them. As a result, the number of missing from home incidents and unauthorised absences remains low. A new system for escalating concerns to senior management, for example about offering missing from home interviews, has been introduced. This is a requirement from the last inspection that has been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is good partnership working with all health services and, overall, young people remain in good health. Several take physical exercise very seriously, going to the gym several times a week. Some young people have engaged for the first time with mental health services. This is a very positive step for those individuals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the quality of monitoring processes has improved. This is a requirement from the last inspection that has been met. Young people have benefited from this as they experience better individualised planning and quality of care. There is more reflection and analysis on the home's strengths and areas for development which helps to plan for further improvement.

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Information about this children's home

This home is run by a local authority. It is registered to care for up to 5 children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 63, paragraph 14.13). Specifically ensure that all staff are aware of the need to notify Ofsted 'without delay'

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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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