Children's home in Dudley

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last 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’s experience at the home has been variable, with some improving significantly since the last inspection and others displaying challenging behaviours and having sporadic educational attendance. One young person has left the home since the last inspection; this was a successful return home following a positive Christmas contact period. Young people admitted have up to date placement plans that link well to the Looked After Children documentation. Young people are aware of their plans and are positive about being at the home. One states that ‘it’s like a really nice home, not just a house where people are coming and going all the time...it’s great to think that you are going to be here for a long time and can settle down’ Staff work well with young people, with all being involved with regular key work sessions and young people’s meetings. Young people have an input into their reviews, through either attendance or talking to the staff and social worker

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

regarding their wishes. Review minutes show that this involvement has an impact on decisions made. One young person has increased in their independence skills and is preparing to leave the home. Staff are very supportive of this move and are working together with other professionals to ensure the move is positive. All young people have educational placements; some have increased in their attendance and their academic abilities have improved. One young person was enthusiastic about getting rewarded for attending, saying that ‘it’s a bit boring but it’s good that I am actually going.’ Others have decreased in their attendance. Staff encourage them getting up for school. All have personal education plans and staff work well to find the most appropriate placements to meet their needs. Contact arrangements are in place from the point of their admission. Staff ensure that young people’s families are up to date with their child’s development where

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

appropriate. Contact visits are encouraged and supported where necessary. Monitoring of the home is completed through both the independent visitor and the management team. Six monthly assessments of the home are detailed, examining areas to improve the service delivery. Responses to monitoring shows that the management team consistently seeks to develop positive outcomes for young people. Young people are safeguarded through regular staff training and effective recording systems. Complaints are rare and when raised are swiftly examined and young people receive responses, highlighting that their views are important within the home. Behaviour management systems are well known by the young people. Rewards far outweigh sanctions, encouraging them to achieve and show consideration to others. Incidents of restraint are exceptionally rare and only completed where necessary. Records of such incidents are completed well, supporting the safety of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

both the staff and young people. Young people have gone missing from the home. They are offered the support of an independent person, including the local runaways team or their social worker on their return, to decrease possible future events. Risk assessments relating to significant missing events are not updated swiftly to support young people’s welfare. The staff team work well with a range of professionals to support the young people including those involved with their education, health and safety. Two requirements and two recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Restraints are used appropriately and notifications of significant events are completed when necessary. Independent interviews are offered to young people following their return to the home after being missing and young people are supported with developing their independence skills.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children’s home which provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and /or behavioural difficulties. The home’s Statement of Purpose indicates that the general age range will be between 12 and 17 years of age

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/01/2014 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):  ensure the staff team continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 35, paragraph 8.8)

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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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