Children's Home run by Appletree Treatment Centre Limited in Westmorland and Furness

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people placed at this home have complex and highly individual needs which are recognised and responded to well. They continue to make steady progress in most areas of their lives and are generally settled and benefiting positively from the care they receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home have worked hard to understand the triggers for young people’s challenging behaviours and to identify the warning signs at an early stage and this has resulted in a reduction in the number of physical interventions for each young person. This reduction has been sustained over a period of time which evidences that consistent behaviour management strategies are in place. When physical management of behaviour is necessary this is proportionate and in line with each young person’s plan. The incidents are well recorded with opportunities for evidencing restorative work and reflection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The majority of incidents of physical intervention arise out of the difficult relationships between the young people placed. This was recognised as a problem at the previous inspection and despite the best efforts of staff and managers continues to be a significant difficulty for the home. Young people persistently use abusive and sexualised language towards each other which results in angry and aggressive outbursts. There are a number of external agencies involved with the young people in the home in an effort to address these types of unwanted behaviour. The home is keen to work with professionals and to try any plan suggested to improve the young people’s relationships and behaviour. Some success has been achieved with young people visiting a theme park and participating in a sledging trip together and enjoying themselves.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s risks are managed well with clear plans in place to address any identified areas of risk taking behaviour. The plans are consistently implemented by staff and regularly updated to reflect any changes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are educated off-site at an educational provision which provides education solely for the young people placed at this home. Whilst they are making some progress educationally there is recognition that their engagement is hindered by their poor relationships, and that they would be likely to make more progress if they could be educated elsewhere. Other options have been explored but due to the complexity of their needs nothing has been identified that would meet their needs within the locality of the home. The home is working pro-actively with the placing authorities of all three young people to assist them in identifying alternative provision which would better meet their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has made very good progress in developing independence. This is clearly identified through his acquisition of skills including self-care, personal hygiene, health and domestic skills as well as his increased level of independence in using public transport for example by planning a bus journey to a nearby town. In line with their increasing independence, another young person has been able to make friends locally and enjoy having a friend to the home to play which is a highly positive development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people at this home are generally healthy, although some have diagnosed medical conditions. They receive the appropriate advice and support and there is good inter-agency working where young people have complex health needs. There has been one medication error which had no negative impact on the young person and has been robustly addressed to prevent recurrence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Management of the home remains good with progress made in the linking of young people’s meetings into staff meetings and key worker sessions. This shows how young people’s views are taken into account, understood and addressed. An example of this is the review of consequences for one young person which was requested at the young person’s meeting, discussed in the staff meeting and discussed and implemented through a key worker session. One deficit in the recording of a complaint was noted during the inspection and was rectified immediately. This was a recording error only and did not impact on the young people involved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from living in a homely environment which is decorated and furnished to a good standard and where they can personalise their bedrooms. The extent of personalisation in some young people’s rooms shows that they feel very much at home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three requirements and one recommendation were made at the previous full inspection. At this inspection the requirements and recommendation are met with the exception of the positive relationship standard which is repeated here, due to continuing difficulty with inter-personal relationships within the home.

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Information about this children's home

The children’s home is one of three owned by a private organisation. It is dually registered as a school. It provides care for up to four young people of either gender aged 13 – 18 years with emotional, social, behavioural and associated/specific learning difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/02/2015 Interim improved 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

In order to meet the positive relationship standard the registered manager must ensure that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others; specifically other young people within the home. (2)(a)(xiii)(b) 31/03/2016

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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

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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