Setting in Rochdale

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home was last inspected in October 2015. It was found to provide a good service across the board. Three requirements were made to promote necessary improvements. These have all been satisfactorily addressed at the point of this interim inspection. This demonstrates that the manager learns from inspection activity to develop the service. The young person continues overall to make progress in all areas of his development. For example, he has not run away, has not needed to be restrained and has not assaulted staff. These were all frequent behaviours shown by him prior to coming to live in this home. He is engaging well with his education, has good attendance in school, and is on track for all his GCSEs. He has managed to get a provisional college placement to do drama and performing arts from September 2016. He enjoys his role as a school counsellor in which he acts as a positive role model for the other students. That said, this is under a bit of strain at

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the moment as he is having some struggles with his behaviour in school. Education professionals are complimentary about the support they receive from the care staff to address these struggles: ‘Staff are always helpful. They are always willing to support education. They are always aware of anything sent to them and act accordingly. They support the education team in encouraging the young person to complete their homework. They are a really good team who work together as a caring team in conjunction with the education team to get the best results for their young person.’ Staff ensure that all the young person’s achievements are celebrated and this gives him a strong sense of personal development and fulfilment. The young person benefits from an active social life and now has friends at school. He has been out with them to the cinema on a supervised basis. He is about to attend a local drama club. He has completed a sponsored walk for charity. He has

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

been trying new foods such as vegetables and Indian food at a restaurant. He is taking more pride in his appearance. This all demonstrates that the young person’s confidence and self-esteem has continued to grow. As his social worker confirmed: ‘There is no doubt that he has made huge improvements in his general development and in his acceptance of boundaries since going there. He has made great strides in dealing with agencies and professionals.’ Relationships between staff and the young person remain warm and nurturing. He feels that staff respect him. Staff ensure that he has access to independent advice and support to be able to express his views and influence decision-making. These supportive relationships help him to grow, feel confident and gain trust. As he commented in written feedback to staff: ‘Just to say you guys are brilliant and deserve an award.’ Staff are adept at helping the young person to feel good about

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

himself. They accept and value him for who he is. This reinforces his positive sense of identity. However, there are some tensions beginning to emerge as the young person remains on a very restrictive regime in the home of two to one staffing with no independent time. He is beginning to kick against the claustrophobia of this arrangement. It amounts to a restriction of his liberty. The manager is very aware of the need to address this with the placing authority, and has plans in place to do so in his statutory review next month, but this is not yet implemented. The young person is encouraged to think seriously about his health in a holistic way, paying attention to the quality of his diet, his habits and his general fitness. As a consequence, he has lost weight and grown three inches. He is involved with the community healthy weight team and does work at school in relation to this. In addition, staff try to engage him in three bouts of physical exercise for up to an

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

hour each week. Staff actively pursue referrals to get the right kind of support for the young person's complex needs, particularly in relation to his emotional and psychological health. They help him to understand his own and other people’s emotions. It has helped him to comprehend that other people are separate to him, and that they think and feel differently. Consequently he is more able to show empathy and care towards staff and other professionals. He has commenced a specialist assessment with an external agency to evaluate future risk and treatment options in respect of his previous offending behaviour. This work is challenging and is likely to be playing a part in his recent unsettled behaviour. The arrangements for protecting the young person continue to be effective and ensure that he is cared for safely. The management of occasional allegations made by the young person is more robust and demonstrates close working together with

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

all relevant agencies and the young person. This has led to a reduction in the frequency of allegations being made. Staff work in constructive partnership with external professionals and the young person’s family. This has supported some positive contact with family members which the young person really enjoyed. The manager provides very effective leadership to the staff team and demonstrates a strong commitment to driving forward improvements in the home. Robust internal and external arrangements for monitoring practice ensure that there is very good oversight of the care that is given to the young person and the progress he makes. The manager has an active application in process with the regulator to be the Registered Manager of the home. She leads a very coherent and motivated team. The young person is highly appreciative of her support: ‘Jane is very good at her job. She is always calm, caring and happy. Since I came to live

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

here, she has made it her mission for me to be safe and happy.’ To conclude, the home continues to offer the young person a good service and it has sustained its effectiveness. One requirement is made in relation to restriction of liberty. This is made to promote appropriate discussion between the provider, the placing authority and other relevant agencies about the legitimate management of risk in an open environment such as a children’s home.

p.4

Information about this children's home

This home is one of a number of children’s homes owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation to one young person with emotional and behavioural difficulties, and/or learning difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

20: Restraint and deprivation of liberty: Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate; with specific regard to issues of deprivation of liberty in a care regime when a child is constantly supervised and not allowed any free time. (Regulation 20 (2)) 09/05/2016

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

Information about this inspection

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 . 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 .

p.5

Information about this inspection

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, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

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

p.6