Children's home run by Positive Steps (Care Services) Limited in Peterborough

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

There were no requirements or recommendations set at the previous inspection. There have also been no complaints or notifications to Ofsted since this time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive regular supervision including the manager. The manager’s supervision does not detail discussions regarding the how the home is meeting the needs of the young people. It also does not show any challenge from the supervisor to the manager to provide evidence of how the staff are meeting the needs of these young people. Consequently, senior management oversight is not strong.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite this shortfall, young people are receive a good standard of care. Good quality risk assessments inform the care plans that staff use to work with young people. As a result, staff know how to meet their needs. Staff use a range of communication skills with the young people. As a result, some of them have made progress with their personal care, others have seen an improvement in their sleeping pattern.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use their knowledge and understanding of the young people’s needs to build positive relationships with them. Observation of the staff shows a caring approach. Some of the young people are in the process of transition from this home. A social worker commented: ‘The staff are working well with a plan for the transition to adult services. This pathway plan is helping to develop some independence skills such as laundry and the young person is eager to help around the home with cooking or shopping. All these are good experiences for them to prepare them for later life.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who live in this home have specific learning difficulties and require a high level of supervision. This supervision prevents them from being vulnerable in the community as staff are with them at all times. This minimises the risk of young people going missing from the home. Each young person has a missing from care plan that staff understand and will put in to place if a young person does go missing. The staff have a good link with the police and other agencies to report to in the event of such an incident. The young people’s participation in residents meetings is good. A weekly discussion with the young people takes place to hear their wishes and views on a number of issues. These include the type of activity that the young person would like to participate in. Young people go swimming, ice skating and for walks in the park because of the consultation. Staff ask young people about their views on the home

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

as well as how they are feeling about the staff. Young people have said in this consultation that they are happy in this home and feel safe. Young people have access to independent advocacy services who visit them in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have progressed well in school and some young people are looking at transitioning to sixth form college. Others are having tuition, supported by the staff, when previously they had not received any formal education for some time. A school commented: ‘They are doing very well in school. They have a number of particularly close friends. The staff support the on-going relationship with these friends outside of school time. We are working with the staff to look at sixth form college and feel that this will be very positive for them. The young person will be able to manage the transition into this provision with the support of the staff.’ There has been one incident where staff used restraint to prevent a young person from harming themselves. Trained staff intervene when young people are at risk from hurting themselves or others. The manager and staff use the well-written records to reflect on the incident and to see if other steps may have prevented the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

situation from escalating. Staff use their skills to engage with young people to help them to behave appropriately. Sanctions are not used and staff are mindful of the young person’s learning needs to offer support and guidance. The manager has monitoring systems in place which track these sanctions and restraints as well as the progress of the young people. She uses this information to update the placing authorities in monthly reports. Staff have received training which means that staff have the skills to meet the complex needs of the young people who live in this home.

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Information about this children's home

A private organisation runs this children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with a learning disability.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

20/03/2014 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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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all staff receive practice related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4) (b)) 11/04/2016

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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

Ensure that records of supervision are kept for the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33 (4) (b). (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61 paragraph 13.3)

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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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