Children's Home run by Social Care Services (Clayton) Limited in Manchester

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 manager has addressed the majority of the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. Handovers have significantly improved, records are now fully completed providing for clear and effective communication between each shift. De-briefs are recorded and give a good overview of each shift. This enables the manager to monitor and evaluate individual shifts and identify any patterns or trends effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff team work tirelessly to support young people to reduce the number of missing from home episodes. However, there does continue to be some episodes of missing from home. Professionals confirm that the whole staff team go above and beyond to try to locate and safely return young people to the home as quickly as possible. For some young people there has been a significant reduction in the number of episodes of missing. One social worker commented: ‘the effort of the staff has been amazing, this has resulting in significant progress in the reduction of missing’s.’ Since the last inspection, the manager has ensured that young people have the opportunity to meet with an independent person following each episode of going missing. This provides young people with an opportunity to share any information with someone not associated with the home. The manager has developed the missing from home records which the manager ensures are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

completed in full. Records now provide detailed information regarding the action taken by the staff team. This supports the manager to monitor and effectively evaluate the individual episodes of missing, and ensure the staff team are taking the agreed action to support the safe return of the young person. Young people commented: ‘staff care about us, they don’t want us to go missing. They follow us and try to find us.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff team have excellent links with the different professionals supporting individual young people; resulting in young people benefiting from a holistic support package. Young people are central to the ethos of the home and the manager ensures they receive the support they need to make progress. Professionals comment: ‘the home is superb, the staff really want to work with us to support X.’ Recent changes to the staff team have been well managed; now there is a consistent management team, who the Registered Manager reports as working well together. This has resulted in the staff team feeling well supported in their role and committing to supporting young people living in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Quality relationships between young people and staff members are valued and nurtured in the home. These are based on consistency and trust. Young people say they feel well cared for and listened to. One young person commented: ‘it’s probably the best home I have lived in, they support me and want me to do well. They care about us and want us to be safe.’ Young people who move on from the home often remain in touch with individual staff, this is because of the quality of relationships established between young people and staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported to take managed risks and are learning to identify when their actions are putting themselves or others at risk. This is because of the often frank and open discussions individual key staff have with young people, both on an individual basis and in group discussions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are engaged in the house and enjoy taking an active part in preparing and cooking meals for everyone. Staff recognise the need to work with individual young people on independence skills to prepare them for the move into their own accommodation. Staff support young people with budgeting skills and basic life skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has not yet fully addressed two of recommendations raised at the last inspection. The locality risk assessment remains in place but the manager has not clearly identified the actions staff need to take in regards to the identified risks. This continues to have no impact on the young people, given the detailed knowledge held by the staff team in relation to the locality and young people in placement. This recommendation is re-stated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Investigations into complaints and allegations continue to be handled appropriately by the manager, who ensures supporting agencies are informed and updated as required. However, records are not clear; they do not show all of the action taken as part of the investigation nor the outcome of the investigation. Given this lack of clarity there continues to be a risk that records would not stand up to scrutiny in the event of a future complaint and investigation. As a result this recommendation is re-stated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite two recommendations being re-stated young people continue to live in a home that provides good quality care. The manager and staff team are committed to supporting young people living at the home, and as a result young people settle quickly into the routines of the home and say they feel very well cared for.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people of either gender, with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 CH - 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(s):  The home's record of an incident or event must include a description of the action taken and the outcome of any resulting investigation. (The Guide page 63, 14.14)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the homes location and strategies for managing these (The Guide, page 64, 15.1)

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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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