Children's Home run by Headway Adolescent Resources Limited in Bristol

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

Since the previous inspection staff continue to work hard helping young people to develop. Outcomes for most young people remain generally good and the majority are making positive progress. Despite staff’s good care, outcomes for one young person have declined recently. This has been particularly in relation to one young person persistently going missing. The staff follow the individual missing from home plan and do what they can to secure the young person’s return. The Registered Manager has recognised the young person’s needs can no longer be met in the home. Strong advocacy by the Registered Manager results in appropriate challenge of the placing authority and other agencies to secure a better plan to helping and protecting this young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager and staff have young people’s safety and welfare at the forefront of their practice. Staff actively talk with young people about risk taking behaviours. They undertake individualised work with young people around safety and protection. Examples include, on-line safety and social networking, child sexual exploitation and other matters that may pose a risk to their health or personal safety. The Registered Manager and staff team endeavour to work in partnership with the police and safeguarding agencies. As a result, risk taking behaviours for most young people are minimised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between staff and young people are very positive. One young person who has recently left the home and now lives independently says, ‘I come back and visit as it’s like part of my family, I would like to say that the way staff treated me was really great and that I would not have a job or a future without them, they were brilliant and still are’. Another young person says, ’The staff here really try and help me, I know I am difficult sometimes, but they still care for me’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say they feel respected and cared for and that staff consult with them well about how the home develops and about any new young people who might come to live with them. Peer group relationships within the home are generally positive. Young people feel valued and cared for and that their views and opinions matter. Most young people have, since the previous inspection, made progress with their education. Staff’s daily contact with the education provisions ensures information about the young person’s emotional and academic progress is shared. Young people are encouraged by staff to continue their learning in the home. As a result, young people are supported in realising their aspirations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The individual health needs of young people are well supported by staff. They work hard to ensure young people remain healthy. They encourage them to eat a healthy diet, and provide support to plan, purchase and prepare their own meals. Young people are also encouraged to take regular exercise through the homes purpose built exercise facility. Each young person has a health care plan which supports their individual needs well. Staff provide young people with advice on how to stop smoking and prevent becoming involved in substance use. Staff’s encouragement of young people leads to them taking increasing responsibility for their own health. Medication used in the home is properly administered and recorded. Where appropriate, young people self-administer their medication. Consequently, they are developing their own independence skills in a safe way.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are supported by staff to learn activities for daily living and to become more independent. Staff work hard to prepare young people for moving into adulthood. When they are at this next stage, staff help them to find suitable accommodation and to choose appropriate fixtures, fittings and furniture. As a result, young people get good support to help them settle into their own homes and lead successful lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are given opportunities to participate in their own hobbies and interests, and access to a wide range of leisure pursuits. Recently, staff encouraged a young person who has photography interests to access the city to take pictures and film local life and points of interest. The young person used this opportunity to positively contribute to an academic project.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The single requirement and four recommendations from the previous inspection have been suitably addressed. Internal and external monitoring systems continue to be effective, identifying and addressing any concerns raised. This includes a monthly audit by senior managers to ensure documentation reflects current circumstances. As a result, shortfalls are identified and staff immediately address them.

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Information about this children's home

This service is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. It is owned by a private company that also operates other children's homes in the surrounding area.

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Information about this children's home

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Information about this children's home

07/10/2014 CH - Interim Improved Effectiveness

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Information about this children's home

24/01/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that where a young person runs away persistently or engages in other risky behaviours, such as frequently being absent from the home, the registered person, in consultation with the child’s placing authority, should convene a risk management meeting to develop a strategy for managing risks to the young person. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46, paragraph 9.32)

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Recommendations

 ensure young people are encouraged to add their views and comments to the record of restraint. Young people should be offered the opportunity to access an advocacy support to help them with this. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 49/50, paragraph 9.60)

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Recommendations

 ensure that young people are encouraged by staff to see the home’s records as ‘living documents’ supporting them to view and contribute to the record in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page58, paragraph 11.19)

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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

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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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