Children's home run by Oasis Young People’s Care Services (UK) Ltd in Southend-on-Sea

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 Improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection two requirements were set which the manager has addressed. The homes statement of purpose and workforce development plan have now been updated to reflect changes within the staff team. This ensures that accurate information is held and provided to other agencies. Good quality planning and transition work, prior to placement and when moving on, means that the vast majority of young people experience successful stable placements where they thrive. The detailed and regularly updated individual support plans and risk assessments mean staff have good knowledge and understanding of young people’s needs. Staff are therefore able to provide individualised care. Positive nurturing relationships develop between the young people and staff, young people feel consulted and involved in all aspects of their life. Positive relationships partnered with effective behaviour management strategies ensure a

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

calm relaxed atmosphere within the home. As a result there have been no incidents of restraint since the last inspection. For one young person there has been no restraint in 15 months this demonstrates a total change. They are justifiably proud of their progress, one young person said: ‘When I first came I was very challenging and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come’. Significant incidents are rare, however, when they occur, are well managed and appropriately notified. One young person said ‘I have always felt safe’. Staff place safeguarding at the forefront of their care. On one occasion this meant that a placement breakdown occurred at short notice as the safety of the young person and others could not be maintained. Staff have been successful in working with young people to break patterns of missing from care and establishing improved personal safety. One young person described their exceptional progress in keeping them self safe. They have reduced

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

from very high risk of going missing when placed, to no instances of going missing in over a year. Staff work closely in partnership with other agencies to promote young people’s safety and well-being. They are confident in challenging statutory services, where on occasion, they do not feel their response has been sufficiently robust to effectively safeguard. Individual well planned preparing for independence arrangements mean young people are suitably equipped with practical life skills. However, security arrangements for food storage purchased through these arrangements are not always sufficiently secure to prevent food being consumed by others. Progress in independence is regularly reviewed reflecting individual achievements. For example, one young person has independently flown to see family in Scotland having gained confidence from undertaking a previous successful coach journey. There have been are no complaints about the home which is held in high esteem

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

by young people, parents and professionals alike. One young person said: ‘Staff helped me to become a young lady, they have brought me into adult hood and taught me life is what you make it’, I have had lots of good experiences.’ There is good partnership working with families and effective arrangements to promote and maintain contact. One parent said: ‘It’s a great place. Staff are very patient and they put themselves out to help.’ Young people who have left the service maintain contact even years later. One young person who is planning to move to independent living attributes her successes to the tenacity and resilience of staff, reflecting that the: ‘Relationships never end if you break them down they are repaired and no grudges ever held’. The home is well led by a manager and responsible individual with a strong commitment to young people and ambition to drive improvement, who embed this culture within the home. Effective monitoring arrangements enable the manager to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have a clear understanding of the strengths and areas for growth.

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Information about this children's home

The children's home is operated by a private company and is registered to provide six places for 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

24/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

18/02/2014 Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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 design of the home should, where appropriate, enable children to develop independence skills within the supportive environment of the home, including through encouraging independent use of kitchen and laundry areas. In particular; provide each young person on an independence programme with suitably secure storage arrangements for all their food, including items requiring refrigeration or freezing (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 17 paragraph 3.25)

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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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