Children's Home run by Nottingham City Council in Nottingham

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last full inspection on 14 October 2015, the home was required to ensure effective fire evacuation processes. Since this time the management team have implemented robust monitoring systems to ensure that all staff and young people take part in fire drills and evacuations within suitable timescales. This contributes to a safer environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In response to a recommendation made at the last inspection, the management and staff have endeavoured to support all young people to engage in bespoke educational plans. This has been successful in many, but not all cases. Some young people remain reluctant to engage in any plans. In such circumstances, the staff team work hard to provide advice and support to aid young people to access apprenticeships and employment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Arrangements to ensure young people develop essential life and independence skills are not consistent or wholly effective. Some young people have not undertaken any work to enable them to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for semi or full independence. This fails to ensure young people are well prepared or supported for their eventual transitions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection several emergency and planned placements have been admitted to the home. The admissions process is in full accordance with the description outlined in the statement of purpose. This means managers and staff have a clear understanding of the needs of young people upon admission, and the purpose of the placement. Similarly, well planned discharges from the home mean young people move to placements which are in line with their needs and preferences. Managers maintain records that clearly demonstrate careful assessment and decision making as part of admission processes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s files contain all records in accordance with regulation. This means staff have clarity to provide care in line with agreed plans. Records relating to incidents within the home, such as young people missing from care and unauthorised absence are also well recorded. However, incidents of self-injurious behaviour have been recorded in the accident book. These records are difficult to locate and do not provide a factual account of the incidents. Plans to improve the appearance of the home have commenced with the installation of new doors throughout the home. However, further improvements are required to ensure the home does not have an institutional appearance. Examples of such features include obtrusive emergency lighting and fire signs, and an industrial extractor fan in the kitchen. In addition, the interior of the home lacks personalisation in the hall and stairways. Staff have a weekly routine to ensure the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home is clean and well organised. However, failure to clear discarded cigarette ends from the exterior of the home leads to an unwelcoming initial appearance. Planned improvements to the interior and exterior of the home will help to provide a more welcoming and homely environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Management arrangements continue to be robust in supporting and monitoring staff through regular supervisions, annual appraisals and team meetings. The staff team have up to date mandatory training and benefit from bespoke training programmes. The home has a stable and committed staff team who have the skills and knowledge to support a wide range of needs associated with young people who come into the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The effective management team have a range of systems to monitor patterns and trends relating to the young people. These systems contribute to quality assurance processes. External monitoring by an independent visitor adds further rigour to the quality assurance process.

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a local authority and can accommodate up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is a short-term assessment provision whereby needs are assessed. Young people can remain accommodated up to a maximum of six months.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim Sustained 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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person must:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(vi) help each child to develop the resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult. 23/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Staff should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming and supportive. With a particular regard to ensuring the exterior of the home is clear of litter and discarded cigarette ends. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations; however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than an ‘institutional’ impression. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information which distinguishes between fact and opinion. With specific reference to the recording of self-injurious incidents being separate to those of accidents. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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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