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 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

The three requirements and two good practice recommendations raised at the last inspection have been suitably addressed. The home has been re-decorated throughout and essential repair work has been undertaken. Annual appraisals have been completed and are now recorded on staff files and the format for external monitoring has been reviewed. This will ensure that the visitor’s opinion regarding how the home is promoting young people’s well-being and safety is fully evaluated and included in the report.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Outcomes for young people living in the home have been variable. Some have made significant progress since the start of their placement and continue to do so; while others have not. This is largely due to the recent change in group dynamics. Many of the young people arrive in the home having experienced considerable early childhood trauma and present challenging behaviour, particularly in the early stages of their admission. That said, there is clear evidence that staff are not overwhelmed by these challenges. They respond consistently with warmth, affection and empathy. An unquestionable strength of this home is the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff team. They have high aspirations and a genuine drive to help young people achieve. Over time this helps young people to settle and begin to modify and regulate their emotional responses.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As noted, there have been some new admissions to the home over the last three months. Although some consideration is given to the matching of young people, the assessment of risk in relation to the impact of admissions has not been robustly managed. This has undoubtedly impacted on the group dynamics and the stability of placements for some young people. This is something the manager has acknowledged and is looking at ways to improve processes in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are clear procedures in place for when young people go missing. Young people have a specific missing risk assessment with very clear strategies and control measures. This is positive as it ensures that staff know how to respond and young people understand what is expected of them. However, records demonstrate that some young people have not always adhered to their individual agreements and have failed to return in accordance with them. During missing episodes staff make attempts to contact young people; this includes phoning them, searching the local areas and making contact with known acquaintances. Following any incidents of a young person missing from care, risk assessments are reviewed and if a young person continues to go missing, the home is proactive in arranging multi agency risk management strategy meetings. This has enabled a clear and detailed response to be put in place which helps promote the safety of the young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Procedures are in place to ensure relevant professionals and agencies are informed in the event of serious incidents. However, there has been at least one incident where the manager has failed to notify HMCI of a significant safeguarding matter. Records demonstrate that appropriate action was taken with a well-co-ordinated response from relevant safeguarding professionals. This is positive; however the failure to notify Ofsted hinders the regulator from effectively carrying out its safeguarding responsibilities to ensure that young people are protected from harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In general the quality of young people’s records has improved. For example, files are well structured, organised and stored securely. Individual sessions with young people are good and demonstrate the work undertaken by staff. In addition, placement plans for individual young people are also of a good standard, setting out clear aims and objectives of the placement. However, at least one care plan was not up to date. Furthermore, records failed to demonstrate the attempts made to involve this young person the care planning process. On balance this appears to be isolated to one care plan. Nevertheless, this fails to demonstrate how care is agreed, delivered and reviewed in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be managed by an experienced qualified and dedicated manager who has been in post for some years. The manager and her staff remain child-focused; resulting in a home that is run for the benefit of young people, not staff. Staff speak highly of the manager and feel very supported in their roles. Training is ongoing and give staff opportunities to refresh old skills and knowledge as well as developing new ones. This allows them to understand and address the ever changing needs of the young people in their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

To conclude, young people benefit from being cared for by a committed, stable staff team. While there has been some disruption to the group dynamics there is clear evidence that the manager has undertaken swift action to address these issues. Previous requirements and recommendations have been met and the manager has a clear vision on how to secure ongoing improvement. This demonstrates that the manager learns from inspection for the benefit of young people.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority run children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five 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

12/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2014 CH - Interim Inadequate 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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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure -

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Requirement Due date

(2)(b) that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to only providing admission to children whose needs have been carefully considered. The impact of these admissions on children living in the home must also be evaluated and carefully risk assessed. 01/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard with particular reference to ensuring that children receive care that is well- planned the registered person must ensure-

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Requirement Due date

(2) (b) that arrangements are in place to (ii) manage and review the placement of children in the home (2) (c) that each child's relevant plans are followed

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Requirement Due date

With specific reference to ensuring that young people's placement plans are kept up to date. 01/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 01/04/2016

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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

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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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