Children's home in Stratford-on-Avon

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home has one young person in placement who has been the only child since before the last inspection. There have also been no changes in management or staff. The young person is therefore experiencing an exceptionally high level of consistency and continuity. The young person himself, his social worker, and independent reviewing officer feel that the placement is ‘excellent’. As a result, the young person is making good progress in all areas, including education, self- awareness, and confidence. He now has realistic ambitions and appropriate external relationships because of the security he feels.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The property itself has a good standard of presentation and has benefitted from recent improvements to the décor. Professional photographs of the young person are prominent and he takes a pride in the whole bungalow. Posters and other items in his bedroom reflect wide-ranging interests. The manager has also made improvements to certain documents, in line with the new electronic recording system. This includes those relating to children’s finances, which the last inspection identified as needing attention. As a result, the records provide a sufficiently clear account of transactions. The young person has frequent access to these and other records, which is an important way of educating him about such issues. He has strong relationships with all the team, which the happy atmosphere in the home demonstrates.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The team address care plan issues promptly and the young person benefits from their close liaison with other professionals. This too is a strength of the service and part of the manager’s strategy to achieve excellent standards. The manager is undertaking an additional qualification in management as part of his professional development. The service benefits from thorough monthly monitoring reports, which serve to stimulate discussion about improvements. The authors produce and submit these reports to Ofsted much more quickly than before. This helps to facilitate Ofsted’s quality assurance role. The manager acts on regular feedback so that he maintains the standard of service. This inspection makes no recommendations or requirements. The incidence of negative incidents involving the young person has fallen markedly. The young person benefits from a safe home where staff regularly review safety issues of all sorts. This process means that the young person learns

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

through taking proportionate risks. Staff discuss any challenges to the safety or welfare of the young person with him in detail. Because of their effectiveness, the quality of life of the young person is high and he approaches the future optimistically.

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Information about this children's home

This home is part of a large private company. It is registered to take one child who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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