Children's home SC459255

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 continues to improve, resulting in good and in some cases exceptional outcomes for young people. There are clear routines and consistent boundaries that young people respond to positively, enabling them to settle and develop stable and nurturing relationships. Young people report that they feel safe, that they are supported to raise complaints or concerns, and that they feel listened to. One young person said, ‘I like living here. I can talk to any of the staff. I get on better with my family since living here and I am going to school regularly. The staff have helped me with this’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have individualised placement plans, informed by their care plans and careful assessment of need. Staff and young people regularly review their plans. Areas for improvement and further development are identified. Placement plans include separate health, education and behaviour management plans. There are explicit and consistent incentives and rewards for progress. This reinforces positive change and has increased young people’s commitment to reducing risk taking behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have robust health plans. One young person has made significant progress; he increasingly takes responsibility for managing his own medication. This means that when he is ready to live independently he will be skilled and experienced in managing his health needs. A number of young people have reduced smoking tobacco and using substances. There are good key working arrangements, formal and informal, to encourage young people to learn about health risks, raise awareness about preventative measures, and develop healthy behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have education and training arrangements in place. For some, regular attendance and engagement is significant progress from their starting points. Staff proactively identify training and employment opportunities. They provide good support and encouragement to young people to make the most of these opportunities. Young people have been successful in gaining a range of qualifications to supplement their formal education and training. They have completed on line preventative health and peer mentoring courses. They have also gained health and safety, and independence skills qualifications. These will enhance their ability to access further training and employment. One young person has a part time job as well as attending a training course. Another young person undertakes voluntary work. To further strengthen practice, it is recommended that staff receive training to enhance their understanding of education planning, and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

how to support young people to meet educational targets.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are skilled and experienced. They focus on building trusting relationships with young people, to influence their choices and decisions. There have been a reduced number of physical interventions, sanctions and missing episodes. There are comprehensive records of incidents. These records provided clear evidence that procedures are followed. Following incidents, there are sensitive de-briefing sessions with staff and young people to identify any lessons learnt or additional support needs. Risk assessments have been developed to incorporate young people’s views. This helps them understand why any restrictions are placed on them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work closely with case responsible social workers, youth offending teams, police, health representatives and specialist voluntary services. They share information in a timely way, including weekly updates of progress, and convene multi-agency risk management meetings when necessary. In this way, all partner agencies are working together to keep young people safe and prevent risk taking behaviours. Because of effective multi-agency working and targeted interventions, young people have reduced offending behaviours, reduced their use of substances, and improved peer relationships. One professional said: ‘I have an excellent working relationship with the staff. This young person was reluctant to trust staff due to previous experiences but he has completely changed. He has built up positive relationships with family and peers and has improved engagement with me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and deputy are experienced leaders and strong role models. Because they are aspirational for young people, they promote high self- esteem and ensure young people are supported to achieve their ambitions. Managers have identified areas for staff and service development for the coming year. This promotes continual development.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is privately owned and is registered to care for up to six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

22/01/2015 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:  Ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to understand each child's education and training targets and their next steps to learning. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 28, paragraph 5.11)

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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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