Children's Home run by Shropshire Council in Shropshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the 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

The home was last inspected in December 2015. Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has addressed all of the requirements and recommendations. The home is judged to have improved effectiveness, with one requirement being raised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has improved the way they support young people to recognise the effects of smoking and how they can try to give up. Staff reiterate the dangers and provide information leaflets and access to services that can reduce the harmful effects of smoking. This gives young people the opportunity to consider the dangers and promotes a healthier lifestyle.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The impact risk assessment is now in place. This provides a detailed assessment that identifies the impact on young people already receiving a short break service. The management team are on call to take any emergency referrals. They use of the impact assessment to match emergency placements. This keeps young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a revised Statement of Purpose. It clearly outlines how the home will manage and provide for emergency placements. This means the impact to other young people using the service will be minimal. The manager has only taken one emergency admission at any one time since the last inspection. The impact risk assessment has proved effective in measuring compatibility. This has secured placements for young people in crisis.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has worked hard to consider how he can provide a private place for young people to make and receive phone calls without reference to staff. Currently a telephone is private and away from the communal areas. Young people wanting to be make calls ask staff who transfer to a private line. Young people using the service say they are happy with the arrangement. A young person said, ‘I don’t call my mom because I am here on a break and she needs the break too.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive supervision from competent and trained supervisors. The manager has undertaken training that will enhance the way supervisors record and respond to supervision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff notify the manager when physical intervention is used. This prompt notification enables the manager to sign and evaluate the record. This means records are monitored and reviewed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has not reviewed the use of bedroom door alarms. Some young people’s risk assessments show progress in staying safe. For example, they no longer go missing from home. However, bedroom door alarms remain in place. This is a missed opportunity for staff to display the good progress young people make. Some young people however, are glad alarms are in place and feel safer with them in use.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe and say they feel safe. Staff provide support and assistance to create a safe and welcoming environment that helps them to feel at ease. Staff and young people have good relationships, everyone feels at home and relaxed. A young person said, ‘I have had no restraint or complaints: I have a bedroom door alarm, I like mine on, I feel safe. I can’t describe how the break has actually changed my life’. There have been no incidents of physical intervention, complaints or notifications since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people really feel the benefit from their time at the home. They know the reasons for it and feel it gives them a break from often-strained relationships at home. They have made friends and bonded well with staff, and had opportunities to experience activities they may not have easy access to in the family home. A young person said, ‘I really like it here: the food is lovely, you get to do nice things.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and his team continue to work effectively with young people and their families to provide an enjoyable experience that prevents family breakdowns and young people having to go into care. The effective joint working with health, education and social services has enabled young people to improve their, social, emotional and physical well-being.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides short break care and accommodation services for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned as operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/12/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

12/02/2015 CH - 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

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if the monitoring or the surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children. The child's placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance. The child is informed in advance of the intention, and the surveillance or monitoring is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard for the child's need for privacy. (Regulation 24(1)(a-d)) 31/03/2016

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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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