Children's home run by Derby City Council in Derby

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

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

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home continues to provide a good standard of care and support based on positive relationships between staff and young people. It has improved in a number of areas, most notably in how it responds to young people who are either missing or absent from care without permission, and possibly at risk of sexual exploitation. The building has been redecorated, providing a better standard of accommodation, and young people’s participation in community events has increased. Partnership working has also developed further. The manager and staff are aspirational and continually looking at ways to develop and improve, for the benefit of the young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Three young people have been discharged from the home since the last inspection, all being either planned or out of the control of the service. One young person moved on to a more independent living arrangement. This transition was very well managed, and staff provided good support and reassurance during this time, to enable her to move on in a positive way. The young person’s social worker commented very positively about the home’s actions in providing a lovely party to mark the ending and give a special memory of the time spent there. When young people leave the home, staff always provide a memory book of photographs, as a tangible reminder of their experiences and achievements. Some young people who have left the home continue to keep in touch, to let the staff know how they are getting on. This is testament to the positive relationships which are engendered.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people tend to be admitted in emergency situations, although one young person’s admission was more planned. Despite the circumstances, young people are welcomed warmly and provided with appropriate information to enable them to settle in. One young person is very new to the home. Staff are concentrating on developing a positive relationship with him in order to help him settle and benefit from their support. Another young person, relatively new to the home, was very positive about his experiences so far. He said: ‘Staff have helped me and they are trying to get me back into school.’ What is evident is that, despite limited progress to date, the young person feels cared for and knows staff are concerned about his welfare. This is a sound basis for engagement and influence. The young people who have lived at the home for some time continue to do very well and make good progress. Their school and college attendance is excellent and

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

they are achieving well. Independence is promoted well, and potential is recognised. For example, one young person showed an interest and skill in cooking. Staff encouraged this and it may well lead to a future career opportunity. One young person said: ‘I am doing really well here. I really like it. I have become more independent.’ Another young person commented: ‘It’s good here. Staff help me, they give good advice to help me make the right choices.’ An independent reviewing officer commented: ‘Despite some difficult times in the last few weeks, the home continues to be supportive and positive and the high level of care remains the same.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Interests are also encouraged, both individually and as a group. Recently, young people have been able to participate in a community theatre project, whereby they can go backstage and see how things work behind the scenes. One young person is an excellent boxer, and staff and young people went to his first match to support him, showing a real sense of community. Young people have had trips away and barbecues and parties take place to celebrate various occasions, such as Halloween. Photographic evidence of these positive times are displayed around the home and within the young people’s memory books.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people feel safe in this home. They say that they all get on with each other and that there is no bullying. They know how to complain and say staff take their views seriously. There has been one complaint from a young person, which the manager investigated thoroughly and which was resolved to the young person’s satisfaction. Behaviour is well managed. There have been no sanctions and no physical interventions since the last inspection. Instead, positive behaviour is encouraged by means of incentives.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Currently, two young people have had unauthorised absences and are occasionally missing from care. This reflects their behaviour before they became looked after. For one, there has been recent improvement, both in the length of time away from the home and the number of instances. Staff follow clear procedures to keep young people as safe as possible. For example, they will visit known associates, follow young people, look for them and report them to the police in line with agreed protocols. There were significant safeguarding concerns about a young person, no longer at the home, who went missing frequently. Staff have used learning from this to develop their responses, and their practice has been enhanced as a result. A further development which supports improved practice in this area is the manager’s new role in being the lead person in the local authority for liaising with other agencies in relation to young people going missing from

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Partnership working is good. Social workers feel well informed about anything that happens to their young people. They also attend regular multi-agency planning meetings, which enhances care planning and consistency of practice. Significantly, the looked after children’s team has nominated the home for ‘Values in Practice’, a local authority initiative which recognises good practice. The home has been nominated in relation to ‘Being the Best’, ‘Can Do’, and, ‘Honesty and Respect.’ An independent reviewing officer also took time to reflect her views in an email to the manager and responsible individual: ‘I have been very impressed with the care of the young people I review. The atmosphere in the home is lovely.’ Other professionals taking the time to praise staff in the home for the high level of care is indicative of very positive working relationships. Parents and carers also have good relationships with the home. There is regular contact and shared responsibility as

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

appropriate, for example, attending meetings at school. A carer commented: ‘I can pop in and I am made welcome. There is a lovely atmosphere and I feel part of everything. The staff are brilliant.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There are good relationships with the police, such as the local police community support officers and the recently appointed detective inspector for child abuse. The latter is a new development to enhance joint working and reflect on both agencies’ responses to incidents where children and young people are at risk because they are missing or absent from care. Although early days, the detective inspector commented on, ‘a good working relationship’ with the manager.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Monitoring, both internal and external, is generally good, and the manager has a sound understanding of the needs of the young people, their progress and what needs to be achieved. Case records are audited monthly. However, some identified shortfalls had not been rectified, which casts doubt on the effectiveness of the audit system as it currently stands. For example, the outcomes monitoring form had not been completed on two of the most recent admissions. As this gives the baseline to assess progress, this is an important document. Not all documents were signed or dated by the author, there was no young person’s plan in one file, and some basic documentation was missing.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The one recommendation from the previous inspection has been fully addressed. The manager has implemented a clear recording system which demonstrates the actions which staff have taken to effect an independent return home interview. This facilitates improved monitoring to highlight any occasions when such interviews are not being undertaken, so that appropriate action can be taken in response. Young people are safer because they are having the opportunity to talk about their reasons for being absent with someone independent of the home.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 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 children's case records are kept up to date and are signed and dated by the author of each entry (Regulation 36 (1)(b)(c)). 29/04/2016

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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, 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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