Children's home in Preston

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

Young people have made good progress especially in their education, having clear contact arrangements and having their wishes, views and feelings acted upon. All young people have an identified educational placement and their attendance is very good. One young person had been out of educational for a significant period of time, prior to being placed here. The manager has worked relentlessly to secure an educational placement that meets her individual needs. She is currently on a reduced programme with additional educational activities within the home, such as baking and visiting museums. However, there is now a clear educational plan in place that shows how her formal education will increase over the forth coming months. Another young person recently started at an alternative educational provision. At her recent personal educational meeting her social worker and Independent Reviewing Officer said they were “Over the moon” with her

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

attendance and the placement in general. The home has the local missing from home protocol in place and staff understand their duties in reporting and searching for young people. Clear risk assessments inform staff of the agreed actions to take and highlight any vulnerability of the young person. There has been one reported missing from home since the home’s last inspection. However, the young person was at a family member’s home and they denied this when staff contacted them. As a result, the manager called a meeting to ensure firm contact arrangements are in place, that her extended family understand the roles and responsibilities in ensuring her safety and police time is not wasted. Apart from this one incident, young people have significantly reduced their episodes of being missing. This means they are engaging in their placement and concerns around their safety have reduced. Young people’s views wishes and feelings are well listened and responded to in this

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home. A young person said she was not happy with a member of staff. The manager addressed this formally as a complaint. The local safeguarding professional was happy for an internal investigation to take place and with the outcome. A robust recording system shows who were informed, that staff were interviewed and a mediation session was completed between the two parties. The young person was happy with the action taken. Additional safeguarding measures have been taken such as no lone working of the two parties together and this will be reviewed regularly. This means that both parties are fully safeguarded and allows for relationships to be repaired. Staff are fully aware of the home’s whistleblowing policy and this has been used successfully. A prior investigation is still ongoing and the manager continues to monitor and contact the professionals involved on a weekly basis for any updates. She then informs all parties including

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ofsted of any information gained. This ensures that everybody is aware of where the situation is up to and whether any further action is necessary. Young people have not been held for their safety or received a consequence for negative behaviour since the last inspection. Staff are fully trained in these areas and the homes records would capture all the necessary information required if an incident was to occur. Young people’s behaviour has improved because there are good incentives and reward schemes in place. One young person received a memory card for her camera for completing her incentive chart and another went out with her sister for a meal for completing education. Young people say they are happy that their achievements are celebrated. The manager and staff give young people good advice and challenge professionals if they do not agree on decisions made for them. For example, one young person was going into a supported semi-independence accommodation but because her

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

boyfriend also recently secured a flat the manager did not feel that she would be able to meet the requirements of the setting such as being in at a specific time. She agreed that this was a possibility, which meant she would lose her placement. The local authority wanted to discharge her from their care. The manager challenged this, as the young person would not have a safe place to stay if the relationship ended. Therefore, the young person is now looking at a flat within the area. The manager has also ensured that she has an advocate to give her independent support when she leaves. This means that she will leave in a planned manner with support from the home and other professionals. The other young people have eagerly discussed when this young person moves on who will have the opportunity to move into the larger bedroom. They are also consulting with staff on colour themes and decoration. The home has recently appointed a new deputy manager. She has a recognised

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

qualification and several years’ experience of working with young people. This will allow the manager to delegate some managerial tasks and allow the manager to focus on more important issues. One member of staff has left since the last inspection and interviews are underway to replace him. This has not had any impact on young people receiving continuity of care because staff are covering his shifts. Staff receive regular supervision and attend monthly staff meetings. Therefore, they have several opportunities to discuss their practice and developmental opportunities. Young people’s meetings and their requests are also discussed in staff meetings. For example, the young people wished to change key workers. This is because they have all settled into their placements and have different relationships with different staff. This was fully considered and the young people confirmed they are happy with the key workers assigned to them. Staff complete

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

all mandatory training and this is regularly updated. In addition to this, staff have been completing the National Care Framework for Education. It is a skills network award at Level 2 which covers a wide range of residential care duties and additional skills in caring for young people. These subjects include mental health awareness, health and nutrition, equality and diversity, medication, and team leader skills. On completion, the manager then gives them an area of responsibility of overseeing and improving the records in the home and informing staff of any additional information. Staff are moved about periodically so they all have an opportunity to learn each area. This means that staff have good skills and knowledge to care for young people well. An independent visitor monitors the quality of care within the home. These reports give the manager independent feedback so she can continue to develop the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager completes her own quality assurance report on a monthly basis and consults with a wide range of professionals and with the young people. Any improvements or developments are taken forward to the homes development plan. Due to these good arrangements young people have seen their requests acted upon such as moving bedrooms and new keyworkers. In addition to this, the manager has been working with a development officer to improve the attendance and quality of the provider’s forum. She is doing a presentation on referrals and the information necessary to ensure that homes can clearly evidence that they can meet the needs of young people. She is also looking at inviting services in the area to explain their roles and developing contacts such as the Awaken team and local authority specialised nurses. This shows that she is investing in making improvements within not only her own home but in the community as a whole.

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Information about this children's home

This privately run children’s home can accommodate up to four young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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