Setting SC035678

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A judgement of Good occurred 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

Two recommendations resulted from the full inspection; the home has successfully addressed one of these and achieved partial compliance with the second. There are no requirements or recommendations resulting from this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager states that the local authority agreed a formal plan to close the home on 16 February 2016. He states the service will begin to reduce by May 2016; a formal timetable for closure is yet to be agreed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to progress with strong management and a committed staff team. Young people benefit from a service that is warm, welcoming and driven by strong child centred values.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have begun to prepare young people for closure. The home remains focussed on achieving successful transitions for young people using the service, either to adult services or to alternative provisions. Staff have been in constant liaison with these services and local charities to ensure that young people and parents are fully prepared for the closure of the service. Excellent use of the ‘transition passport’ in the home assists staff in matching young people to strengths and weaknesses of future provisions. It gives a clear account of progress in key areas such as self-care and basic cooking.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Efforts to obtain independent advocacy remain hindered by the closure. Case records show a suitable level of support provided by local charities and the permanent staff team. Parents report feeling fully supported during this process. Regular meetings with staff and ‘coffee mornings’ have assisted this process. One comments, ‘Many thanks for your continuous support and help as we move toward adulthood.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour in the home remains good. Young people continue to benefit from a consistent staff team and effective risk assessments. Activities are organised to avoid areas of potential difficulty. For example, a safe seating plan in the home’s mini bus minimises any possible dispute and offers consistency. There has been one restraint recorded since July 2015. The registered manager completed a full investigation, interviewing both staff and the young person concerned. This offered an opportunity for staff to reflect on their actions and consider alternative strategies. Staff understand that they are fully accountable for their actions; young people are safer as a result.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A strong culture of transparency exists in the home. Staff continue to develop the use of PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), to encourage young people to express their wishes and feelings. One young person recently disclosed unhappiness with his bedroom furniture, via PECS. Following the necessary alterations from staff, his behaviour is now more stable. Furthermore, staff use PECS to form, ‘social story boards’ these deliver complex or difficult messages and help to unpick incidents of concern or poor behaviour. Good communication with parents and schools supports this work continuing outside of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to develop self-confidence and social skills. They recently attended the theatre and a restaurant with staff. Photographs from these outings remain displayed in life storybooks, providing a memento of these experiences.

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Information about this children's home

This is a children's home registered to provide short-break services for up to nine children and young people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. The local authority owns and operates this home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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