Children's home SC443544

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged g ood 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

This home provides good care to young people; they continue to benefit from nurturing, positive relationships with an experienced staff group. There are good routines, safeguarding arrangements and structures are strong, and young people to feel safe. The young people have complex needs and histories. From their starting points there has been progress. For example, reduced substance misuse, reduced missing episodes, and increased stability in healthy relationships. Since the full inspection, there have not been any notifiable incidents or complaints from young people, family or professionals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is well established partnership working. The manager and staff work closely with case responsible social workers. Staff share good quality, child centred, reports about each young person’s progress and any concerns on a weekly basis with social workers. They convene additional multi-agency planning meetings, as necessary, to supplement statutory reviews.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A social worker said: ‘This is a very good home. Staff have worked creatively to engage this young person. She has been kept safe and has been able to develop strong relationships with the staff group’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work closely with the police to remain up to date about community safety in order to appropriately safeguard the young people. There have been no episodes of young people being reported missing and very low incidence of unauthorised absences. When young people are absent without permission, staff are proactive, remain in contact where possible, and look for young people. They follow reporting procedures. Young people are welcomed back and, at an appropriate time, the incident is sensitively and carefully discussed. Any concerning information is shared and followed up as necessary. There are low numbers of sanctions and very few incidents where physical intervention is necessary. A police officer said: ‘The staff at Kimber address things immediately, without hesitation. Any risks in relation to young people are shared and we work together to put a plan in place.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff proactively support contact arrangements with family, carers, and peers. Young people’s views about contact are listened to and the continuity of significant relationships enhances their self-esteem and emotional well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been slow progress with some of the young people as they have not sustained engagement in employment and training. Recently, more robust plans have been put in place to address this. These include the introduction of clear daily timetables and explicit expectations with the young people. In addition, incentive plans have been revisited and improved to encourage better engagement with education and training. The registered manager has sourced some bespoke training to enhance staff skills and knowledge in this area of practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is also slow progress in reducing smoking. This is a concern in respect of the impact to the health of the young people. It is also a concern that it may influence the habits of any new residents. A recommendation is made for the registered manager to ensure that there is a clear policy in place to support staff to be consistent in their practice in addressing this health concern.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is an experienced leader. She ensures that staff have a range of training and development opportunities. Managers are good at using information provided by quality assurance mechanisms to address weaknesses and recognise areas of potential improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection shortfalls were identified in risk management systems, these have been addressed. There are robust risk assessments in place to address transport arrangements and there are daily and weekly health and safety checks of the environment; these audits have not identified any concerns.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by an independent organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should ensure that in line with their individual health plans and the ethos of the home, children are offered advice, support and guidance on health and well-being .... Staff should have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to help children to understand, and where necessary work to change negative behaviours in key areas of health and well-being…

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Recommendations

(The Guide to the Quality Standards ,page 35,paragraph 7.18 )

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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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