Children's Home run by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in Blackburn with Darwen

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

Since the last full inspection in June 2015 there has been a number of new admissions to the home. Transition to and from the home is well managed, and generally young people are able to visit the home prior to moving in. This helps reduce any anxieties they may have about the move. Records demonstrate that improvements have been made to decision making about potential placements. Referrals to the home are routinely assessed by the manager with regard to matching requirements and suitability. Young people’s individual needs are carefully considered and a great deal of thought is given to the potential impact on the other young people living in the home. Consequently, the manager is able to make well-informed decisions about admissions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of relationships remains a key strength. Young people benefit enormously from living in a caring environment where staff are intuitive, creative and treat young people with unconditional positive regard. Staff are clearly child centred and are very skilful at engaging young people. The young people currently living in the home continue to make significant progress in all areas of their lives. For example, education attendance is excellent and young people take an active interest in their learning. Staff work closely with school and education providers to enable young people make progress. This undoubtedly has given them increased opportunities to gain qualification for their future careers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manner in which bullying is dealt with is more effective. Overall, there has been a reduction of incidents because staff address issues quickly through individual sessions, meetings and increased staff support. This positive intervention has come as a result of a requirement raised at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s behaviour is modified and improved through clear and consistent messages from staff who understand them well. Staff focus on rewards, praise and incentives which has proved effective in helping young people manage their behaviour differently. Staff are trained in the appropriate use of physical restraint; restraint is rare and only used as a last resort. The majority of these incidents relate to young people who have since moved on. The current group of young people have not needed this type of intervention and are enjoying more settled placements. Improvements have been made to the manner in which physical intervention is recorded. These records are completed in a timely manner and meet regulation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of young people going absent without permission or going missing from the home have reduced. These have decreased following the departure of one particular young person. Records demonstrate that when missing episodes do occur staff promptly implement policies and procedures, go out looking for young people, and encourage them to return. Staff are familiar with the protocol and guidance and fully understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has taken appropriate action to address shortfalls in the recording and administration of medication. Staff have attended medication training, medication is appropriately stored and the policy has been reviewed and updated. As a result of more robust practice the likelihood of error has significantly reduced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has good safeguarding procedures for staff to follow in the event of allegations, suspicion of abuse or unsafe practice. Investigations into allegations are handled fairly and undertaken promptly by an appropriate person. However, the manager does not maintain factual records. This means that it is not always clear what action has been taken and the outcome of any resulting investigation. While entirely appropriate action is taken, records made in this way lack clarity, and do not stand up to scrutiny in an event of a complaint or further investigation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has developed more effective monitoring and a quality assurance system that help her maintain good oversight of the quality of care and progress made by young people. Her Regulation 45 reports and the development plan contribute to the home’s improvement agenda. Areas of weakness are identified and dealt with promptly, which ensures the standards within the home continue to improve.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority run home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to 6 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

24/06/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

17/02/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 The home's record of an incident or event must include a description of the action taken and the outcome of any resulting investigation. This specifically relates to allegation management records. These records are to include the action taken and decision reached. (The Guide page 63 14.14)

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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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