Children's Home run by Oakfields Children’s Care Limited in Tameside

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has demonstrated continued improvement by suitably addressing the two requirements raised at the last inspection. Systems are now in place to ensure that the manager effectively monitors young people’s wishes and views within her quality of care review, and that the staff have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. As a result young people’s concerns are addressed promptly and staff are suitably supported and trained to deliver a high standard of care. The three good practice recommendations have also been appropriately addressed. The home’s missing from care policy has been updated; staff are aware of their roles and now ensure that all young people systematically receive an independent return home interview following any incident of going missing. In addition processes are in place to ensure that young people’s views are sought following any incident of physical restraint, and consent to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

administer first aid and non-prescribed medication is now available for all young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good progress in all areas of their lives and are positive about their future. This is because they benefit from living in a stable, comfortable, child- focused and supportive home. Young people talk tenderly about their relationships with staff, their peers and the experiences offered to them by the enthusiastic and stable staff team. Young people report that they feel safe, are listened too, and that their life experiences have improved as a result of the care and actions of the staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strong links with schools and colleges ensure that some young people maintain exceptionally high attendance and exceed their individual education targets in some areas. When difficulties arise for some young people, staff are quick to respond and ensure young people are supported and encouraged to re-engage. Furthermore staff provide learning opportunities and actively encourage young people's involvement in leisure pursuits and hobbies. Examples include playing snooker and engaging in music lessons as well as participation in additional educational events during the school holidays. Young people talked enthusiastically about how much they enjoy their hobbies and how they are hoping to go onto pursue these as careers in their adult lives. In addition to supporting young people widen their social networks through their engagement with community based activities, staff advocate and facilitate family contact for all. As a result some young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people now benefit from increased contact with those who are significant to them within their home towns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between staff and young people are good and young people know that they can approach staff with any concerns. Young people’s positive behaviour is promoted through incentives and rewards; inappropriate behaviours are suitably and thoughtfully challenged. Young people are beginning to regulate their own behaviour, understand the reasons for the house rules and boundaries, and report that sanctions are fair. As a consequence, sanctions are minimal and physical restraints have not been used.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good quality care effectively promotes young people’s safety and welfare. Some young people who are deemed to be at risk due to some of their behaviours are monitored and protected by staff who follow suitable risk management plans. Staff protect them as far as possible from the risk of bullying, and the risks associated with going missing from the home, such as child sexual exploitation. Staff do this as they are aware of young people’s triggers and support young people to think about their actions and possible consequences should they choose to go missing. Staff maintain effective links with the young people, their families, the local and transport police, and social workers. One social worker said: ‘The staff have been exceedingly important in helping (name) turn their life around. (Name) was smoking, taking legal highs, and was regularly going missing from home. They are now no longer doing any of this.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints, safeguarding concerns or allegations against staff since the last inspection. In addition a variety of health and safety checks are regularly undertaken by the manager and staff to ensure that young people and staff continue to live in a physically safe environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staffing levels are sufficient in the home to ensure young people’s individual needs are met. Staff are positive about working at the home and confirm that they feel well supported by the manager. Staff receive regular supervision and relevant training to meet the needs of the young people. Young people were seen to be happy in the home and had lots of conversation and banter with the staff. Young people confirm that they like the staff and that the stable and consistent staff team provides them with continuity of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As part of the home's reviewing processes, the manager ensures that there are robust monitoring systems in place. This includes monthly independent visits to the home. The visitor regularly consults with the young people to obtain their views about the home and their care. The reports produced reflect the care given and highlights the areas for continued improvement. This ensures the manager is aware of how well the home is operating and meeting young people's needs, and supports her to make the necessary changes to continue to enhance young people’s experiences and promote their well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no breaches in the regulations identified within this inspection, nor have any good practice recommendations been made.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to four young people of either gender who may have behavioural and emotional difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

04/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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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