Children's Home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Shropshire

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 declined in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been without a registered manager for ten-months. Although a manager was recruited to the role last year, the post holder did not stay long enough for their suitability and fitness to be assessed by Ofsted. A new manager has been appointed and is in the processes of applying to register. These circumstances have left the home without someone who can be formally held accountable and responsible by the regulator for the day-to-day operation of the service. Young people and staff have not experiencing leadership and management from a person who has been able to successfully register with Ofsted to manage the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection ten requirements were made, seven of which have been addressed. Required records and documents are now in place that better reflect the home’s operation and daily circumstances and arrangements for each young person. Young people’s views, wishes and feelings are taken into account in relation to matters affecting their care and welfare. As a result, young people feel listened to and consulted. They are helped to learn the necessary skills needed to live independently. Staff are well supported on a day-to-day basis and are receiving regular feedback and supervision about their work with young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three requirements are repeated as they have not been fully met. Although the home’s driveway has had some temporary repairs it still has numerous potholes and is severely weathered. This does present some risks to car users as it makes navigation to and from the property difficult. Staff and young people practice emergency evacuation drills but not with the frequency prescribed by the provider’s own policy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Quality assurance and monitoring systems have been reviewed and updated with the introduction of a new reporting format. The most recent report reflects on key areas of the home’s operation and what has been done to rectify identified shortfalls, especially around leadership and management. However, the current report does not reflect what young people have to say about the service or what action has been taken as a result of their feedback. Although consultation takes place, it is not currently evaluated to reflect any changes made to the service overall. This is a missed opportunity to formally consider the feedback received and the actions taken to develop the home further.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager has improved the systems used for identifying and notifying Ofsted of significant events. Through improved monitoring of the home’s operation the manager has made retrospective notifications that had not been made by the previous manager. Although these were reported late to Ofsted, the notifications reflected that the manager had acted to ensure young people were safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are enabled to make positive changes in their lives to help counter previously harmful and risky conduct such as anti-social and offending behaviours. Risks associated with these areas have reduced over recent months although staff remain focused on practices that help young people move in the right direction. Staff have good links and networks with teachers, the police and youth offending services in support of young people’s plans of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager has made significant efforts to ensure young people experience placement stability and that they are able to make progress against their agreed plans. Although young people still struggle sometimes, they have some good relationships with staff who are able to positively influence behaviours and choices. One young person stating, ‘I like it here and I want to stay’ and ‘staff are helping me to behave better, the boundaries are clearer now.’ Young people’s attendance at school is good in compassion to their previous circumstances. They feel safe with the people who look after them and are confident that if they had a complaint it would be dealt with properly. Young people like the home’s environment and the fact that they have had a say in how it has been decorated and furnished.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered for two children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/05/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

12/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained 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

12. The protection of children standard.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. (2)(d)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. This is in relation to the home’s driveway. 29/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home and, so far as reasonably practicable, children are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire. This is in relation to the provider’s own policy of carrying out practice evacuations monthly. (Regulation 25(1)(d)) 29/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45(2)(b)(c)) 29/02/2016

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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

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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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