Children's home SC482413

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement 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 previous inspection of this service was the first one since it was registered. A number of shortfalls were identified at that inspection. At the time of that inspection a new manager had recently taken up her post. She has since become registered with Ofsted and has addressed the majority of issues from the inspection. There are good relationships with other agencies, such as the local authority designated officer and placing social workers. One placing social worker described the home’s communication with them and the parents as very good. This helps to ensure effective joint working to meet young people’s needs well. The registered manager monitors records and practice in the home. She identifies and addresses any issues over practice. Complaints are responded to thoroughly and this helps to identify ways of improving. There is regular external monitoring by an independent visitor and the registered managed monitors the quality of care and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

produces six monthly reports. She identifies actions needed to improve care and consults with a variety of other people, including young people and parents. The process does not include consultation with staff and so is not as comprehensive as it could be.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is more regular practice related supervision of staff. This includes general pre-booked supervision. There is also a single subject supervision to address significant specific issues. However, the frequency of the pre-booked supervision is inconsistent. Some staff have gone for up to four months without this and for some the sessions are very short. This limits the opportunities for managers to discuss and assess staff practice and ensure they are clear about their roles. The home’s statement of purpose is now available on its website. However, it is out of date and does not include the name of the registered manager or current responsible individual. The process for young people to move on from the home is now more planned and supportive. For some young people this includes preparing them for independence or semi-independence. Young people are able to shop, prepare for and cook their own meals. Some young people have clear and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have access to the internet within the home. There are safeguards in place to help ensure that young people are protected from on-line risks and to help them understand the risks for themselves. This includes staff training, information for young people and internet filters.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were two compliance notices issued in September 2015. One relating to staff working hours and the other to risk assessments. The organisation took action to address these issues. Although the risk assessments were not sufficiently comprehensive at the first monitoring visit, they were at the second. Now staff hours are monitored and if they are likely to exceed a set number of hours a month, managers check to ensure they are able to do so effectively and without fatigue having a negative impact on their work. Risk assessments are regularly update and are readily available for staff to read.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are effective assessments of potential new placements. This decreases the possibility of young people moving in whose needs cannot be met along with those of the existing group. This is particularly important when a home has a higher number of young people. Those young people spoken with during the inspection said that the current group of young people get on well together. Young people moving into the home have appropriate introductions to meet their individual needs. This makes the potentially difficult process of moving homes easier for them. One young person was identified as needing a thorough introduction. They had 12 visits to the home before moving in.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The records of physical interventions do not all include de-briefs with young people. This limits the potential for finding ways for the young people and staff to avoid such intervention in the future. The records do show that when physical intervention takes place, it is necessary in order to keep young people safe. There is a minimal use of sanctions. Records of these do not all include an evaluation of the effectiveness of the sanction. This prevents ineffective sanctions being identified and amended.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The induction process for new staff has improved, so that they feel prepared for their work and they know what that work is likely to entail. Existing staff have had additional training to help them in their role. However, a number of staff have not had training in areas which are important given the function of the home. From a core staff team of 22, only six have had mental health training and only 15 have had suicide and self-harm training. While the overall picture of staff training has improved, the absence of this training for all staff does have the potential to limit the effectiveness of staff work with young people to some degree. Young people make positive comments about the home. They say that they get on well with staff and each other. They also feel that there are more staff and so more things that they can do. One young person said that the best things about the home are the staff, the young people and the support that they get. Several

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people said that things at the home have improved. Other professionals also say that the home has improved. Young people are making progress and staff are managing incidents more effectively. A parent said that the stability provided by the deputy and manager ‘has made such a difference’ and the support provided by staff is ‘amazing’. Another commented on the physical difference in their child which was noticed by a neighbour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are making good progress at school, especially as some had very little education time before moving to the home. Some are on course to take A levels or further education with a clear view to their future careers. Young people are consulted with and have their views listened to. They recently asked if the could cook regular group meals, with them shopping, cooking and washing up. This is happening. One asked for some shelves in his bedroom and was pleased that they had them the next day. Young people are also supported to develop their own identity, but some staff do not have a sufficiently in depth knowledge of cultural issues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall the registered manager has improved the effectiveness of the home in many areas and this has been noticed by young people, social workers and parents. This is leading to young people making progress. There are still some areas to address.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered for up to 16 children who have mental disorders. It is privately owned and has a separately registered school on site.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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

The registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children. The system must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of staff. (Regulation 45(5)) 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. Regulation 33(4)(b) 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 16(3)) 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 24 hours of the use of the measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)) 31/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person must ensure that staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to respond to the health needs of children. This relates to training for staff in cultural awareness, managing self-harm and suicide ideation. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 34 paragraph 7.12)

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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

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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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