Children's Home run by Archways Care Limited in Worcestershire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the 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

All young people have developed since the last inspection due in part to a settled peer group and a staff team that has a strong awareness of responding to young people’s needs. No new people have joined the home. Placement planning is strong and responsive to both the needs and wishes of the young people. Young people are involved with their reviews where appropriate. Young people are aware of the result of their reviews, knowing what plans are in place for them. This supports their stability at the home. One stated that, ‘I’m doing really well, went to my review meeting and was good that I have got my time out on my own now. It will stop the staff having to worry about me.’ A social worker was also positive about their young person, ‘they have really settled him down and think that he is doing fantastically well.’ Young people have tried a range of differing activities, developing their self-esteem

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and confidence, including driving lessons, youth clubs, and learning the joys of social media. One young person is working on a part time basis and developing their independence skills as they plan to move away from the home. All young people are developing their academic skills, attending educational placements on a daily basis. One young person stated that ‘my college and I have come to an understanding of what I need to do, and I’m doing better now. Contact arrangements support young people’s relationships with their families where appropriate. Plans are highly individualised and responsive to both the wishes of the young people and their relations. Monitoring systems are strong. A recent visit by a placing authority was positive about the work being completed having thoroughly examined the records. Monthly independent monitoring highlights areas of development and these are responded to swiftly highlighting the management’s enthusiasm for improvement. These visits

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

regularly include discussions with young people, staff, professionals and family members to gain a good insight into the services offered. The management team’s three monthly assessment of the home is overly detailed, being 49 pages long. A new format significantly decreases the level of detail, giving a clearer picture of the way that the home works and could be further improved. Young people are safe through well-known systems and an appropriately trained staff team. Young people are aware of how to raise concerns and when complaints have been made they are responded to swiftly. Staff consistently promote positive behaviours and this has resulted in a decrease in challenging behaviours. Incidents are clearly recorded within both the home’s log and young people’s files, including discussions with young people and staff in an attempt to decrease further such instances. Good use is made of the home’s

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

‘actions for actions’ reward system, further improving young people’s behaviours. Young people have been missing from the home. Staff have been diligent in responding to these incidents and working with the young people to decrease future incidents. Social workers are reminded of their responsibilities following each such occasion and do talk to young people regarding their behaviours. Staff’s discussions with young people are more fruitful however, leading to a recent agreement relating to increased independence. This will decrease missing incidents. Staff work closely with parents/carers to ensure the views of young people remain at the heart of care planning and contact arrangements. This is particularly important where family relationships have been challenging. Staff engage young people skilfully to help them make sense of their situations, while simultaneously working with social workers and parents/carers. This results in a cohesive approach

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

where clear communication ensures relationships are improved. The monthly key- working trips out further help to develop effective relationships between young people and staff well. Three recommendations were made at the last inspection. All have been responded to well. The shower area has been updated and a plan is in place to replace the whole bathroom area. Staff have ensured that young people get increased free-time including independent trips to shops. Assessments regarding the use of bedroom alarms have been completed, including discussions with social workers and young people. This means that only necessary monitoring systems are in place to safeguard young people and they do not invade their privacy.

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Information about this children's home

The home is one of four children’s home within a privately run organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people. The home’s Statement of Purpose indicates that the general age range will be between 12 and 17 years of age.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/03/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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