Children's Home run by Arnfield Care Limited in Derbyshire

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged Outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people who arrive at this home at short notice and in crisis continue to make outstanding progress from their starting points. A social worker said: ‘The progress I have seen is amazing. The young person is so much safer. She is now stable educationally and is starting to believe in herself. She has really developed insight into her difficulties and now welcomes support. Before she would not engage with any professional.’ A young person said: ‘Staff have really pushed me to achieve and do well. I appreciate it as now I have a goal in life and plan to be a carpenter.’ Young people’s lives quickly stabilise, they become safer and they start to look forward to, and work towards happy and successful futures.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Although the majority of young people are placed in this home on an emergency basis, placement planning is robust. Before a placement is offered, the management team very carefully consider all referral information to assess whether young people will be compatible with those already resident and whether they have sufficient skills and experience within the staff team to meet individual needs. Once placed, young people spend some time getting to know staff at suitably assessed local camps. They are then gradually introduced to their peers in the home. This gives young people some time to adjust, to develop an understanding of the ethos of the home, and to start to formulate goals which they wish to achieve while living in the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Social workers report a high level of satisfaction with the packages of support which young people receive. A social worker said: ‘As a result of the excellent support, the young person has made sustainable positive changes to her life.’ Risk taking behaviours significantly reduce and young people start to reflect on their past experiences and risky behaviours. One young person said: ‘My behaviour has really changed. I am calmer and can now control my anger. The staff have helped me to think about things and make changes.’ Another reflected: ‘I would recommend this home to young people who have difficulties and who do not understand the concept of risk. Here they teach you about risk and how to keep yourself safe.’ Coordinated working practices between care staff, the in-house educational staff and external education providers are effective. Staff promote young people’s talents and interests. Those who have not attended school for significant periods of

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

time quickly start engaging in bespoke packages of education at the on-site school. One said: ‘I go to school now and also go climbing and caving. I feel good about this.’ A number of young people also successfully reintegrate into mainstream schools and colleges. Young people benefit socially as well as educationally as a result of this. They make friends, they develop confidence and they enjoy improved self-esteem.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people are fully involved in setting their own goals. For older young people this can involve working towards independence. One young person said: ‘I am really pleased with my care plan of working towards independence. Staff are helping me and I can now do everything for myself.’ Young people are very well prepared for the next stage of their lives.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Well trained and skilled staff ensure that young people who have significant histories of going missing and those assessed as being at high risk of sexual exploitation are very well supported. On all occasions when young people have left the home without permission, staff follow. They rarely lose sight of them and are successful in persuading them to return to the home, preventing them from going missing. On the rare occasions when staff have lost sight of young people, resulting in them being reported missing to the police, staff do not give up their search until the young person has been located and successfully returned. When they do return, young people are welcomed back into the home. They are offered time out on camps to explore the reasons why they have gone missing and strategies to help prevent further incident occurring in the future. From young people’s starting points, incident of missing significantly reduce and in some cases

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

stop. As a result, they are so much safer.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The management team continue to be extremely effective. They are extremely child-focussed and reflective. They continue to consider research in relation to issues which affect young people who are ‘looked after’, and continue to seek ways to improve practice and improve outcomes further for them. For example, staff are currently engaging in training in respect of a new behaviour management system. The aim of this is to build on the positive and proactive approach already used to further empower young people to make safe and sound decisions about how they behave. The management team aim to monitor and review the effectiveness of this approach through their internal monitoring systems and evidence the impact this is having on young people. This is work in progress, but demonstrative of a service committed to sustaining outstanding outcomes for young people.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight young people with emotional and / or behavioural difficulties. It provides short to medium term crisis placements. The home is owned by a private company. Education is provided 365 days a year, both on site and through camps and outdoor education.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/03/2015 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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