Children's Home run by Stanfield Care Services Limited in Norfolk

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.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has addressed the requirements and recommendations of the last inspection. She has recruited permanent staff including an experienced deputy manager. All staff receive regular supervision and direct training provided by the provider. Managers and staff value professional development and have enrolled on appropriate level NVQ courses. They are committed to working with statutory partners and voluntary agencies, keeping them informed of new developments. A daily system of staff handovers and team meetings ensures that staff are kept up to date and can provide consistent care for young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The number of notifications, complaints and incidents of restraint have declined sharply. Young people recognise this calmer atmosphere and it greatly enhances their self-esteem. A group of young people told the inspector: ‘We feel listened to and treated like adults. We know what we have to do. We’re happy, we feel like a family.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When considering a new referral, the management team are careful that they can meet the needs of the young person while also considering the impact of a new arrival on the current group. The registered manager makes enquiries with the placing authority, previous placements and other professionals. However, the records of these discussions are not complete. Therefore it is not possible to accurately follow the decision making process. She acknowledges this and will be amending her procedure to include a chronology of all discussions.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Daily routines are organised round the school day. Young people have achieved high rates of attendance in education. They engage in be-spoke programmes which focus on helping them plan for their longer term futures. If a young person is new, staff enrol them immediately into local education provision. The social worker for one young person said: ‘The main reason that she has made progress in education is because her key worker has really pushed her.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers are ambitious for young people and encourage their creative talents and interests. One young person entered a local singing contest where she sang in front of 300 people. Another has joined a local gym and has starting singing lessons as he writes his own music.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

External professionals and families speak highly of the willingness of staff to work in partnership. The mother of one young person said: ‘They are so welcoming and immediately encouraged me to visit. The main thing is that he wants to show it off to me, his bedroom and the house. That is massive for us.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team is passionate and effective. They monitor progress through weekly reports from young people’s key workers and produce monthly management reports which are discussed in staff meetings. As a result, staff work as a team, constantly reflecting and improving their practice. Young people benefit from this organised and consistent approach to their care.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. This home is owned by a private organisation.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

28/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that they only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs, with particular reference to compiling a complete record of enquiries made by the manager to establish how suitable the referral may be.(The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56 paragraph 11.4)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

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

p.7