Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection in August 2015, a good standard of care was being provided and the current inspection finds that this has been sustained. The last inspection identified two requirements and seven recommendations, which have been adequately addressed. Regarding the two requirements, sufficient attention is now paid to the implementation of return home interviews. This gives staff and social workers accurate information about why children run away. Also, staff now have a better understanding of the need to address children’s concerns promptly. Because the service predominantly occurs in a variety of rural locations away from the home, this is an important improvement in the procedures. Appropriate refurbishment of the property is progressing well and final touches, for example, to replace the front door, are in hand. Safety checks of the camper van have been increased. This appropriately reflects its daily usage as a key part of the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, servicing in line with manufacturer’s guidelines, does not yet include the gas fittings. This is a potential hazard to children and staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some improvements have been made to the children’s guide and the home’s statement of purpose in line with the previous recommendations but these have not been addressed completely. The amendment to the children’s guide is colourful but does not use child-friendly vocabulary and is not yet integrated into the existing guide. This means that new children do not benefit from the improvements or learn, for example, about the unusual features of this service. The head teacher at the company’s school oversees the improved education arrangements that now apply. However, the statement of purpose does not describe these improvements for the benefit of new social workers and commissioners. This means they have less information with which to assess the service and match new children. Closer attention was required at the last inspection to return home interviews for children who had been absent or missing. The manager has given satisfactory attention to ensuring that such interviews

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

occur but records do not always sufficiently reflect this. This means that the manager cannot evaluate incidents, or adjust children’s care plans, as accurately as possible. The staff team carefully assess the known and likely risks posed by each child. They have improved the written assessments of the areas around both the home and the other settings that children use, in line with the previous recommendation. This information allows the manager to compile programmes that balance risks in a proportionate way and are more effective for each child. However, he has not shared sufficient information with staff about some of the newly identified risks, for example, the contact details of other children’s homes nearby. As a result, staff are unable to act on the risks as well as intended. The majority of children find the outdoor nature of the service rewarding and exciting. They understand that when they start to live in the home itself in a suburban location, it is because of the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The admission of new children nearly always occurs at very short notice. They immediately go away in a camper van for a period of assessment and stabilisation. Subsequently, they live in various other types of accommodation depending on their needs and degree of progress. The manager and his team sustain very effective communication with children’s families and the professionals who are involved with each child. This contributes powerfully to children leaving the service in a positive and effective way. The manager also keeps in touch with previous residents and their ongoing progress verifies the long-term effectiveness of the programme. As in some other areas, however, there are shortfalls in the administration of the service. The receipt, for example, of care plans and accurately completed consent documents from social workers does not always occur in a timely way. If children become ill, this could have a negative impact on

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children benefit from high staffing levels and constant, personalised care. As a result, the service is particularly effective at reducing negative incidents. As the programme proceeds, children improve their self-awareness and manage themselves more constructively. They feel safe with the staff and form meaningful relationships with them. The success of these bonds is demonstrated by children’s improved attendance in educational activities, their engagement on career paths, and involvement in legitimate activities. Their discharges from the service are nearly always positive and occur in a planned way over several weeks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management of the service is effective. The manager has recently passed his level five leadership and management award. He continues to work in a senior capacity at another children’s home but is aware that this will have to be reviewed if, as planned, this service continues to expand.

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Information about this children's home

This home is for up to two children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned by a large, private company. The programme that children undertake is called the Positive Steps Intervention programme. It uses a number of other locations to stabilise children before returning them to the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/03/2015 CH - Interim Declined effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory progress

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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

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children's needs are met

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality standards must ensure that staff: (b) seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs. This is with regard to obtaining completed medical consent forms and care plans from social workers. 28/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

7: The children's views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children’s views, wishes and feelings standard, the registered person must: (2)(c) keep the children’s guide under review. This is with regard to the guide explaining, in a form appropriate to the age, needs and understanding of children, what each child can expect of and from the home’s care. 28/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard to ensure that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe, the registered provider must ensure: (2)(b) that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. This is with regard to following the manufacturer’s guidelines in the servicing of the camper van and its gas supply. 28/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

Compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. This is with regard to detailing the actual provision to support children with special educational needs, and the provision made by the home to promote children’s educational achievement. (Regulation 16(1), schedule 1, paragraphs 10 and 12) 28/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Specify the procedures to be followed and the roles and responsibilities of staff when a child is missing from care or away from the home without permission. This is with regard to such procedures including sufficient contact details of all nearby children's homes. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 45, paragraph 9.28)  Ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. This is with regard to such information being recorded. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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

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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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