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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding 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

The service continues to be outstanding, but there is limited evidence to support overall improvement since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager responded promptly to a requirement made at the last inspection, to review and forward the statement of purpose for the service to HMCI. This now details the qualifications and experience of staff working in the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Visits undertaken by the independent person to the service have not consistently sought the views of young people. They are not being independently asked their views on the care they receive, and this hampers the registered manager in monitoring the quality of care provided and is a shortfall.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff are highly skilled and nurturing. They work to an effective model of positive care that gets to the heart of the need for support of young people and their families. Young people receiving short breaks have excellent opportunities for personal development through learning, making good friendships and taking part in new activities. As a result, young people enjoy attending the service for short breaks, they look forward to staying at the centre and make consistent progress. A parent said: ‘He loves going, has really settled well and is enjoying his stay, he has overcome his anxieties and thoroughly enjoys his time there’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New young people coming to the service are supported by sensitive, tailored care planning. Prior to young people starting at the centre, staff make strenuous efforts to gather significant information about them to enable the best possible care. Staff members will visit families and the young person’s school and will spend time in school with the young person. They seek to reduce the understandable anxieties of the family and the young people using thoughtful care practices. Consequently, new young people and their families using the service feel welcomed and this leads to successful short breaks. Young people feel valued in this comfortable, homely and inviting building. The centre is maintained to a good standard and the staff work hard to personalise the environment in accordance with the young people using the service. For example, when young people are coming to the service for their short breaks, their rooms

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

will be changed and personalised to reflect the young person. This helps the young people in developing a sense of continuity with transitioning between the family home and the centre.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working with key agencies is effective. The registered manager and staff work well with the local authority, health and education professionals. Regular meetings take place, reviewing the young people receiving short breaks and the progress they are making. The staff work very closely with nearby special needs schools and have brought in tandem methods of communication and approaches to managing behaviour. As a result, all agencies working with young people communicate well and plans are well coordinated which benefits the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff members demonstrate an unquestionable level of professionalism and dedication to caring for young people. Forward-thinking and imaginative approaches to care typify their approach. The management team has developed a culture of positivity within the staff group, continually seeking to develop the services for the benefit of young people. For example, the registered manager and staff have developed and improved the young person guide, and versions are available now in written form, CD and DVD. Developments include approaches to the various points of transition for young people. For example, improved support for young people moving into adult care through better information sharing and coordination of plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that staff receive regular and good quality supervision. The development needs of staff are a priority and accordingly their training and development needs are consistently met. Staff are accountable in their work with young people and receive good oversight, as they receive guidance and support from the management team. This means that young people are well cared for by the management and staff team, who are well trained, supervised and accountable.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff benefit from and enjoy regular team meetings. Meetings are attended well by the staff group, and they feel that their views are welcomed and valued. Staff members mutually value each other and enjoy seeking to find ways to improve practice. The registered manager has empowered the staff to take greater responsibility for the actions emerging from these meetings and leading on certain areas. For example, one team leader has supported colleagues with developing IT and written skills. This has led to a service where young people benefit from a strong and motivated staff group.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides short breaks for up to six young people, of either gender at any one time, aged between 10 and 17 and with moderate to severe learning disabilities/physical disabilities who may have additional sensory impairments and/or disabilities. The home is owned and 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

26/03/2015 Interim Sustained 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must help the independent person, if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires (Regulation 44(2)(a)). 25/03/2016

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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, work- based 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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