Children's Home run by Longdon Hall School Limited in Staffordshire

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 September 2015. At that time 10 requirements were made. These included shortfalls regarding care planning processes, safeguarding risk assessments, fire risk assessments and failures to work in partnership with other agencies. The registered manager has sufficiently addressed these areas of practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working between care staff and allocated social workers has improved considerably. This means that young people experience integrated and consistent care. Staff ensure that statutory placement plans are up to date and retained in case files. These are supported by minutes of statutory review meetings. Key workers track actions required following these meeting and challenge other professionals when practice falls short of acceptable standards. This collaborate working practice ensure that young people’s progress is effectively supported. Furthermore, young people’s case files now include all necessary information and documentation. This enables staff to effectively support young people and meet their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Significant improvements to internal care planning processes means that young people’s individual needs are identified and supported. Internal care plans reflect the aims and objectives detailed in statutory plans. These define health needs, educational needs, specialist emotional support and interventions, and specific risk taking behaviours. Staff regularly review and revised internal plans and discuss these with young people. These positive improvements support young people’s progress and development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education is better promoted in the home. Staff establish links with suitable education provisions, and when necessary virtual school services. This occurs prior to young people’s admission to the home. As a result, young people understand that school attendance is not optional and staff are able to support them to continue with their learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has strengthened partnership working relationships with specialist health professionals and external agencies. When strategy review meetings and multi-agency discussions highlight the need for young people to access bespoke health service, staff ensure they take appropriate steps to arrange these appointments. This means that young people’s psychological health needs are promoted along with their physical health needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people residing in the home at the time of the last inspection have now moved on from the service. For some young people, their discharge was well- planned and structured. Transition plans incorporate future support needs, accommodation options, educational progress and young people’s views and opinions. Staff work with allocated social workers and young people’s families to establish daily routines that can be adapted to other care settings. This increases the potential success of more independent placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff promote positive behaviour through consistent verbal praise and rewards. Improvements to risk assessments means these are more detailed and provide staff with clear strategies to support young people to recognise their risks and begin to take a proportionate responsibility for their own safety. Prior to the change of young people in the home, there was an increase in behaviours of concern. These placed young people and others at risk of significant harm. In these circumstances, staff worked in partnership with local police, placing authorities and specialist agencies to provide some young people with more appropriate placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has reviewed and revised the fire risk assessment. This now accounts for the possibility that young people may attempt to smoke in the home and be in possession of matches or lighters. The statement of purpose has been updated. This now defines the services provided by the home and the additional services that young people can potentially access. This means that placing authorities are aware of the aims and objectives of the home prior to agreeing a placement. This increases the likelihood of the placement being successful and meeting young people’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, internal redecoration means that graffiti that was evident in the home has been removed. This provides young people with a well furnished and decorate home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has addressed the requirements raised at the last inspection. This demonstrates the capacity for continued improvement.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to 4 young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is registered to provide single gender care and accommodation. The home is owned and operated by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/09/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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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

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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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