Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last 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

There was one requirement and three recommendations made at the full inspection. All three recommendations have been met. The requirement to improve parking to the front of the house has been financially agreed by the local authority but is waiting planning agreement. This is out of the Registered Manager’s hands. No shortfalls have been identified at this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the group of young people living at the home has remained the same. They benefit from a stable staff team who ensure there are clear structures and routines. They support the young people to achieve positive outcomes within a safe and supportive environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are making good progress in many areas of their lives. They have enjoyed holidays away. They participate in a wide number of leisure activities and are active members of after school clubs and community based groups. They lead healthy lifestyles, exercising and participating in healthy cooking. Education is fully supported by the staff team. They operate in line with clear education plans and work closely with education professionals. Over the summer holiday staff proactively supported young people to prepare and successfully start new school and college placements. This has meant young people’s attainment and progress remains positive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive excellent support if they are struggling in an areas of their lives. There are good support networks and close partnership arrangements that ensure contingency plans in put in place. This provides additional support to young people and to staff and ensures that progress is always on-going. The Registered Manager will challenge partnership agencies if the needs of young people are not being effectively met. He will listen to young people and advocate on their behalf.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have high aspirations regardless of the complexities of the needs of young people, and the challenges they may present. Staff use positive relationships to provide support and reassurance to reduce their anxieties and promote their welfare. As a result young people are safe. They learn new skills which has resulted in a significant decrease in the number and durations of incidents and physical interventions they experience. Staff effectively use a wide range of interventions including well-structured days, incentives and rewards, positive relationships, play and role modelling to achieve positive outcomes. Negative consequences are not used. As a result young people learn to communicate emotions more effectively, regulate their behaviour and participate in a wider range of activities more successfully.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager demonstrates a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and continually works with staff to develop their practice in clearly evidencing the work they undertake with the young people. The Registered Manager is particularly proud of the nurturing and attachment training which is gradually being rolled out to all staff and he feels is beginning to have a positive impact on practice. Overall, the registered manager and staff team have raised standards and improved outcomes for young people.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority operated home. It provides care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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