Children's home run by ABC Children’s Homes Limited in Stroud

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 sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are very happy here and have warm and trusting relationships with the highly committed staff. They enjoy many activities in the home and in the community, including snow- boarding, going swimming and to the gym together, playing pool and joining in local events. They have personalised and comfortable rooms and the living rooms are welcoming with a relaxed atmosphere. A sunny kitchen forms the ‘centre’ of the home where young people and staff can sit and chat. They get on well together and enjoy trips out with staff, such as a day out to London to see a West end show over half term. One young person said, ‘I love it here and love the staff’.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good progress in their relationships, self- confidence and education. One young person is predicted good GCSE grades and another, who struggles to commit to school has recently achieved 100% attendance in a week for the first time. The proud staff have displayed a school certificate celebrating this in the home. Young people feel able to talk to staff both informally and in key working sessions, which address a wide range of personal issues, including family relationships, sexual health and drugs.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has seven years’ experience of working with children and young people in residential care and holds a level 5 qualification in Children and Young people‘s Leadership and Management. He has been in this post for fifteen months, during which time he has raised and maintained the standard of the service to good. The statement of purpose does not correctly indicate the name, qualifications, experience and permanent status of the registered manager.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no requirements of recommendations made at the previous inspection.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is an effective and strong leader. He has developed a cohesive team that provides young people with consistent care, strong boundaries and a sense of stability and security. The registered manager is very child focused and expects the same from his team. He challenges local authorities to provide services for young people and is aware of all of the plans for young people and the progress they are making. The team is highly effective in supporting young people and prioritising their needs. Staff have skilfully supported young people to adapt to some staff having recently left and a new member arriving. They have ensured that young people experience continuity in their key working relationships.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff find the registered manager supportive and appreciate that he provides opportunities for them to develop professionally. He has given staff extra responsibilities in the team like organising training and chairing meetings. Training is ongoing and since the last inspection, staff have trained in school exclusions, safeguarding, bullying, child sexual exploitation, and radicalisation, first aid and data protection. Training in therapeutic skills to level 3 is underway, which focuses on attachment and will support practice and reflection. Staff training is up to date and relevant.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Paperwork and recording systems are orderly and there is evidence that staff read important documents, including all updated young people’s assessments and plans. Staff enjoy working here and demonstrate a consistent approach when they talk about their work.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people feel safe and this enables them to focus on their own needs. Staff manage challenging behaviour very well and consistently, thereby reducing any need to involve the police or risk criminalising young people. Staff recognise the causes and triggers to behaviour and are skilled at de-escalating situations. There have been no safeguarding issues or use of physical interventions since the last inspection. The home is safe and safety checks are up to date. The registered manager gives fire safety a high priority and staff are fully trained in safeguarding, first aid and physical intervention.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work closely with a range of other professionals to improve the experiences and progress of young people. They have ensured that one young person receives the additional support he needs at school and have worked with his with social worker to advocate for CAMHS involvement. Staff welcome to local police into the home informally and use a police website link to check for any ongoing concerns in the neighbourhood. They have provided the local police with details of each young person in the home in case they go missing.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Professionals and family members provide very positive feedback about how staff work with them for the benefit of young people. The parent of one young person said that staff keep her informed and support her really well with contact, ’They are great'. The social worker for one young person says that she, ‘Can’t fault them’, they email and phone her, send weekly and monthly reports and always consult her about any risks to ensure that plans for the young person are appropriate and effective.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a development plan for continuing to drive up standards for the future, with which he and the staff are making significant progress.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to care for up to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is currently offering medium to long-term care for young people aged 8 to 18 years. 

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

16: Statement of purpose (3) The registered person must- (a) keep the statement of purpose under review, and where appropriate, revise it; and (b) notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. 31/03/2016

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