Children's home run by Radical Services Limited in Leeds

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home is effectively led and managed by a Registered Manager that completed Ofsted’s registration process in October 2015. At the last full inspection of this home in July 2015 the Registered Manager and her deputy manager had only been in post a matter of weeks but had already established a shared vision for the home and a positive working relationship. Since then, they have strengthened their working partnership to provide a highly effective management arrangement within the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement and five recommendations were made at the last inspection primarily to promote improved outcomes for young people. These have all been successfully addressed with improvements clearly evident at this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

With regard to young people’s care planning, managers demonstrate an increased confidence in their right and ability to challenge others to ensure young people’s best interests are served. For example, this has included the Registered Manager requesting a statutory review and initiating multi-agency meetings when concerns and drift in progressing local authority plans are identified. This has prompted more timely intervention to ensure young people’s needs are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s records provide a comprehensive account of their plans, day-to-day activity and achievement. Staff have responded to guidance provided, demonstrating their improved skill in recording and maintaining young people’s records. These now provide clarity and accuracy and respect young people’s right to privacy and confidentiality.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff act as good advocates for the young people in their care. They ensure that they have sufficient information about their rights and those that can provide additional support to ensure their voices are heard. The home’s children’s guide now clearly details additional support arrangements and staff regularly discuss the availability of independent advocacy with young people to remind them of the support that is available. Young people are currently accessing independent advocacy support and feel confident that staff and others are supporting them to express their views and wishes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers show skill and sensitivity in structuring arrangements to support young people that are planning to move on from the home. Arrangements are well documented demonstrating the care shown to ensure that young people are appropriately informed and have time to become acquainted to their new surroundings. Consequently, moves are generally very well managed and ensure that young people are able to make a smooth transition and settle in their new placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a good track record in supporting young people that go missing. Since the last inspection these occasions have been minimal. However, when they occur, staff are proactive in their response searching and working in close co- operation with the police to ensure the young person’s swift return to the safety of the home. The Registered Manager has successfully revised arrangements at the point of young people’s admission; developing clear agreements that enable all young people to have good access to speak to someone independent on their return. This provides young people with a clear opportunity to raise any concerns they may have about the home or staff working there.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people understand that staff care about their safety and recognise the actions they take to raise their awareness and understanding of potential dangers. Staff educate young people on range of issues such as internet safety and the risk of exploitation to ensure that they are well informed and have suitable strategies to keep themselves safe. One young person commented, ‘All staff are really helpful. When I am upset they always comfort me. I can tell them everything. I feel very safe here, I know staff worry about me but I’m ok here.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of young people’s educational achievement and those areas where support is required. They work collaboratively with education providers to promote young people’s learning and educational opportunities. For example, although education is usually sourced from an independent school operated by the provider, the home has established a close working relationship with a local mainstream school attended by one young person. Staff maintain daily contact with the school, they are familiar with the young person’s curriculum progress and actively support regular home study. As such, the young person is making excellent progress and is on course to achieve recognised qualifications that will assist her planned entry to college later this year.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support and provide a wide range of activities that enable young people to positively engage with their local community. For some young people, this has included activities such as canoeing, attendance at army cadets, tree-trekking and dance classes. Consequently, young people have enjoyed many fun experiences and had good opportunities to socialise and make friendships outside the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage young people to make this home their own. They support them in helping out with household chores and involve them in making choices with such as communal décor and personalising their bedrooms to their own taste. As such, young people show pride in their home and are learning new skills that promotes their confidence and independence as they move towards adulthood.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No further requirements or recommendations were made as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to accommodate up to four young people with emotional and behavioural problems.  It is operated by a private provider.  The home offers emergency, medium and long term placements for children and young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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