Children's home run by Warrington Borough Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding 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

Young people remain settled, happy and safe in their long-term placements. Staff’s nurturing care and consistent routines is ensuring that they continue to thrive and make measurable progress. A young person is top of her English class and is helping other students who struggle with this subject. When difficulties arise, such as exclusions due challenging behaviour, staff respond immediately and this prevents drift. Effective partnership working with teachers and education psychologist has enabled young people to maintain their school placements by getting the right support in good time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Comprehensive and up-to-date education plans help staff to understand and review individual need and track progress. Education is further promoted by staff setting achievable goals, rewards and incentives; all of this is supporting young people to reach their full potential. A young person was thoroughly enjoying his work placement at the local skate park, which staff helped him to set up. Not only are young people achieving academically, they are learning new skills and experiences to help them succeed in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy good health. Detailed health plans, which now routinely assess sexual health needs, support staff to monitor young people’s health. This ensures that they have access to all relevant services, including sexual health clinics and diabetes specialist nurses. A well trained and knowledgeable team is ensuring that young people’s medical needs are fully supported. A young person’s diabetes is being effectively managed through staff’s competent support and regular contact with the diabetic nurse. The manager is working on further improving the medication records to make them more straightforward and easier for her to audit.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Trusting relationships with staff is improving young people’s safety. Young people confide in staff and tell them when their safety is compromised. For example, a young person who was previously at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE), alerted staff to an inappropriate message, which she received from an adult on a social network site. Staff took swift action and escalated these concerns to the specialist CSE team. Staff’s effective partnership working with all safeguarding professionals and excellent relationships with young people is reducing risk and increasing safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Outstanding care planning is further enhancing young people’s safety and welfare. Staff have an in-depth understanding of young people’s needs, vulnerabilities and strengths. Young people are fully involved in making and reviewing their placement plans and therefore have a good understanding of their own needs and how they can be supported. For example, young people help devise safer internet use agreements that provide them with clear guidance and expectations of their use. This pro-active approach to internet safety is enabling young people to use technology safely, like their peers do.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Preparation for independence is a particular strength of this home. Staff understand how frightening leaving care can be and therefore approach this task with great sensitivity. Independence plans are individualised and young person centred. Specific tasks, such as, cooking, budgeting and shopping are broken down into achievable goals, which support young people to practice their skills and develop confidence at their own pace. As a result, preparation for independence is effective because young people find it enjoyable and less threatening.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The team have recently experienced some changes, including, staff being off on long-term sickness, maternity leave and the assistant manager stepping down. The manager has ensured continuity in care by only using casual staff, who the young people know, to cover vacant shifts. However, in the absence of an assistant manager, some management tasks have slipped, such as, staff rotas. Some rotas were difficult to read due to names being scribbled out. Not all provided the full name of the persons on shift or state if they were casual or permanent. This undermines health and safety within the home as it is unclear who is working in the home and when.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be led by an experienced and dedicated Registered Manager. She is fully aware of the home’s strengths and areas for development, showing enthusiasm and capacity to continually improve. This was demonstrated in the improvements made in staff’s recordings, in particular, significant incidents and medication records are now sufficiently detailed and accurate. The manager fully supports her team through regular professional supervision and on-going training opportunities. She has a good overview of staff’s training and development needs, which are clearly documented in a workforce development plan. As a result, the home is run by a happy, skilled and stable team who continue to provide outstanding care and support to young people.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home provides care and accommodation for two young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim improved effectiveness

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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

Ensure to maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. With particular reference to the staff duty roster of persons working at the home, and a record of the actual rosters worked. (Regulation 37 (2)(a) Schedule 4 (3)) 10/03/2016

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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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