Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection on 24 November 2015. 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 continue to have strong relationships with staff. They are positive about the support they receive and the quality of care the home provides. One young person comments, ‘the home and staff are really good, there’s nothing bad to say at all.’ These relationships help young people to make good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people engage well in their education. Their attendance is very good. This continues to drive improving grades and attainment. Some young people actively engage in a range of positive activities including supporting younger children through peer-mentoring schemes. They have also been involved in providing training to senior managers in the local authority and, more recently, Ofsted. This develops their self-confidence and belief in their own ability. One young person comments, ‘I want to make sure I achieve…I want to be the best I can be.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s behaviour generally improves. Staff celebrate positive behaviour. ‘Consequences’ are used in response to negative behaviour. These are not always restorative in nature. This was a shortfall at the last inspection, and a recommendation was made to address this. Although there are signs of progress, the measures used still do not consistently help young people to recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other young people, the staff caring for them, or the wider community. In addition, the registered manager does not consistently evaluate the effectiveness or consequence of the use of the measure. Furthermore, young people are not routinely spoken to following these incidents. These shortfalls reduce opportunities for reflection, limiting the ability to improve practice in this area.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person is planning to leave the home in the next few months. Overall, this move is well planned. The registered manager and staff team engage effectively with a range of other agencies. They highlight risks and ensure effective support is in place to reduce them. This contributes to a feeling of safety for the young person at an anxious time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

On occasion, some young people place themselves in risky situations. Staff understand risks associated with child sexual exploitation, going missing, and e- safety. They proactively discuss these issues with young people. Significant incidents are well responded to through close partnership working with other professionals, including the police. This helps to keep young people safer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff ensure that young people’s health needs are generally well met. However, on two occasions staff failed to administer medication to one young person in line with the prescribers instructions. Other safeguards in place helped to reduce the impact on the young person, in these instances. The registered manager subsequently made changes to the home’s medication policy. However, these are yet to be fully embedded or their effectiveness reviewed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to ensure effective oversight of the home in the majority of areas. Two recommendations were made at the last inspection. The registered manager has addressed one of these. As a result, staff now record young people’s views more accurately. He continues to work towards meeting the second (as discussed above). The registered manager’s monitoring systems are more developed. ‘Quality of care reviews’ identify key actions and help him to highlight areas of weakness. Senior managers have also employed a new independent person to visit the home. Monitoring reports following her visits have improved dramatically. However, on some occasions, the registered manager does not receive these reports in a timely way. This prevents him making best use of the information provided and slows the speed of progress.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to 2 children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is managed by a Local Authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/02/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

Ensure that medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed. (Regulation 23 (2) (b)) 01/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3) (a) (vii)) 01/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure of control, discipline or restraint. (Regulation 35 (3) (c)) 01/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. In some cases it will be important for children to make reparation in some form to anyone hurt by their behaviour and the staff in the home should be skilled to support the child to understand this and carry it out. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46 paragraph 9.38)  Ensure that the registered person actively seeks independent scrutiny of the home and makes best use of information from independent monitoring (including under regulation 44). (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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

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Information about this inspection

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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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