Children's Home run by Calcot Services for Children Limited in Wokingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection, the organisation has made changes and restructured the staff and management team within this home. The home now only has one Registered Manager who has returned to a full-time post. This has resulted in the whole team making significant progress in identifying the development needs of the service. The manager is both approachable and supportive, which is appreciated by staff. The manager understands the strengths of the home and is aware of areas for development. The home took immediate action following the judgement and requirements made at the last inspection. They have re-developed practice and robust internal investigations have taken place. This has resulted in well-monitored action plans clearly identifying both good practice and also any areas to be further improved. In the eight months since the last inspection, the home has experienced a change to the group dynamics within the home. Five young people have left since the last

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

inspection. Two were very well-facilitated planned moves with the young people moving on to a semi-independent setting and back home. The others were not planned moves. However, the home worked closely with the placing authorities to ensure the welfare of the young person was a priority. In these months, there have been three admissions to the home, which have resulted in new challenges for the staff team. There is presently only one young person in placement. Staff have worked effectively together to support each other and the young people. Young people, during their time in the home, were beginning on the journey of reflecting on the impact of their behaviours. It was very evident the home worked with professionals including the local neighbourhood police, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, the Youth Offending Team and the young people to enable a reduction in risk taking behaviours such as missing, self-harm and destructive

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and aggressive behaviour. This work is underpinned by individualised behaviour management strategies with a focus on incentives. There have been a number of physical interventions that have taken place with one young person. These have been appropriate due to levels of aggression and damage to the property and this decision was made with a range of professionals to reinforce boundaries in the home. Staff constantly review systems to ensure they are effective. The neighbourhood officer stated how open the staff and management team were to suggestions. In particular with the implementation of a protocol for calling the police and the level of behaviours requiring police intervention. There is an effective multi-disciplinary approach to supporting young people. Requirements were made at the last inspection in relation to the management of relationships between young people and giving young people the skills to recognise

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

damaging and harmful relationships. The young people who were in a relationship are no longer in placement. Self-development plans for each young person who has been in placement have been implemented, which outline the plans for direct work; topics include personal, sexual and social relationships and how these can be supportive or harmful. Staff also use resources to explain this to young people. There is now oversight by the Registered Manager in relation to the content of direct work sessions and the implementation of the self-development plan. This ensures this topic is appropriately understood by each individual young person. In addition, staff have been provided with additional literature and training in the area of harmful relationships between young people. This enables them to have the skills to be aware and act upon any instances of concern. The management team have reviewed impact risk assessments to enable

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

appropriate matching to take place at the referral stage. This assessment is now signed off by two Registered Managers and any new placement will have been agreed by two managers and approved by the Responsible Individual. This enables a clear assessment of each young person’s need and their impact within the group setting prior to placement. Young people have regular key work sessions to enable them to start to build positive relationships with staff. Staff recognise, at times due to the emotional fragility of young people, that this can take time. Staff are nurturing and reflective in their approach. Supervisions with all staff include discussion in relation to relationships with young people and provide support in the development of these relationships. When young people are new to the home it was observed during the inspection that staff who have never met young people are the staff on duty in the

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

morning when they wake. This practice does not enable young people to feel secure and comfortable. Young people are involved in various forms of consultation; this is embedded into how the home runs. They are encouraged to participate in house meetings, have one-to-one time and also hold regular meetings with the management. This enables their views to be heard and action to be taken as a result. The local area risk assessment has been reviewed and now identifies risks in the local area particularly with reference to the nearby bridge over a motorway. This risk assessment is now supplied to placing authorities during enquiries for potential referrals, this ensures referring authorities are in receipt of this information when making decisions around a placement. Consideration is now given by the management team to ensure they can keep young people safe when referrals are received for young people who self harm due to the location of this nearby

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

motorway bridge. Monthly monitoring reports are undertaken by an independent visitor. This level of monitoring is effectively used by the staff team, ensuring action is taken to address any shortfalls. The Registered Manager undertakes internal monitoring on a regular basis. There was clear evidence of trends and patterns being looked at during these processes and information is shared with the staff team. There is a real commitment from the management and staff team to further raise the standard of care provided to the young people who are living in the home. They have clear vision and realistic aspirations for the service and in achieving positive outcomes for the young people.

p.4

Information about this children's home

The home is privately owned by an established company. The home is registered to accommodate a maximum of three young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. A therapeutic approach is taken in working with children and young people with the aim of enabling them to return to their family home or to an alternative family placement.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

07/07/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

p.5

Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

07/01/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure staffing structures and rotas enable continuity of care. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54 paragraph 10.15)

p.6

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.7

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.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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.8

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.8