Children's Home run by Unique Care Homes Support Limited in Norfolk

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 Improved effectiveness . The manager has met the recommendations set at the previous inspection. She has worked with the team to develop a matching document to assess the suitability of any potential new placements, and the impact that placements may have on the current group of young people. Staff across the provider group have completed training in the management of young people who may exhibit self-harming behaviours. As a result, staff are better prepared to meet the needs of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have made good progress in education. They have attended school and colleges, which provide them with opportunities to achieve their educational goals. The staff from the home support the education placements and there is excellent communication between the school and the staff. This maintains consistency of care and has led to behaviour that is more positive. Staff are trained in physical intervention. There have been seven physical intervention incidents since the previous inspection. The records of incidents are detailed, and staff and managers reflect on the feedback that the young people provide during debriefs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints or safeguarding issues raised with the local authority designated officer. The notifications to Ofsted have been consistent with the requirements and the manager has reviewed these in line with the home’s procedures. Recently, staff have followed the safeguarding procedures to report an incident involving the young people. Placing social workers comment that the home adhered to the correct procedures and that staff increased their monitoring of the young people during this period, to ensure their safe care. Young people report that they are happy and feel that they are safe in this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use a restorative approach to manage poor behaviour and this has led to a reduction in incidents. There are rewards for young people who have behaved positively; the manager encourages staff to seek original ways to reward young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have made good progress in sport, especially table tennis and badminton. Some young people are engaging in football training and play with a local team. This has helped them to make and maintain relationships outside of the home. It also helps young people to maintain their fitness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do not go missing from this home. They have positive relationships with staff who complete direct work with them. This work includes keeping safe work and raising young people’s awareness of the risks in the community, particularly the risk of exploitation. Each young person has a missing from care assessment and all staff understand how to put this into practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Communication is a particular strength of this staff group. Staff spend a great deal of time with the young people in one-to-one direct work and in community meetings. These meetings, where young people’s views are considered, raise issues such as relationships within the home, activities and help in planning events. A placing social worker commented: ‘This home is brilliant with communication. The home provides really helpful and informative regular summaries detailing the young people’s progress.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager skilfully leads this team to provide high quality care. She regularly reviews the care plans to ensure that they meet the needs of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is good quality supervision, which supports the staff to address any gaps in their practice. The training pathway offers opportunities for staff to enhance their skills. The staff are positive about the training and support available. Placing social workers consider that the home is meeting the needs of the young people, commenting: ‘This home has done a great job in meeting the young person’s needs. No other home could have helped them and supported them as much.’

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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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