Children's home run by Searchlight Care Services Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

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 . This home was last inspected in October 2015 and was judged to require improvement. Requirements were made in relation to; personalised care, education, encouraging healthy lifestyles and developing positive relationships, child protection, monitoring of the home, staff supervision, young people’s records and management of risk.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has ensured that appropriate actions have been taken to meet all regulatory shortfalls. Furthermore, the one recommendation made that related to missing young people has also been appropriately addressed. In addition to meeting the requirements from the previous inspection, there have been further improvements made. This has positively impacted on the outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education has significantly improved for young people at the home. Where young people were previously attending part time programmes, they now attend full time in appropriate educational provision. This ensures that young people are able to make academic progress in line with their peers. A teacher commented that a young person is making ‘quite a lot of progress.’ Similarly, there have been improvements to care planning and provision of individualised care. For example, placement plans are now more closely aligned to the local authority’s placement plan. This results in young people receiving care that is consistent with agreed actions from statutory reviews. The manager has ensured that all required documents are kept on young people’s files. Consequentially, the staff team are now better equipped to be aware of, and deliver care, that meets the needs of young people. This is effectively underpinned by regular and routine auditing. A

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

social worker commented that the staff are ‘working to the aims of the care plan.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team are now supervised by the registered manager and deputy manager. This is an improvement as previously staff were supported by external managers. This has improved the care given to young people as the staff team are now working as a more cohesive group. A member of staff commented that ‘we’re a good staff team. We work really well together.’ Staff have undertaken additional training since the last inspection in sexually harmful behaviours, learning difficulties and supporting independence. Managers have completed additional training in supervising staff. These improvements have equipped staff with a broader range of skills and competencies. In turn, these have contributed to an enhanced service to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been marked improvements to young people’s health. For example, healthy eating is actively promoted and there has been demonstrable impact with regards to young people’s physical health. This is further enhanced through an active lifestyle being promoted in the home. Young people enjoy regular exercise including badminton, golf, walking, playing rugby and going to the gym. As a result of spending increased amounts of staff on these activities, relationships are similarly improved. Young people enjoy spending time with staff. A young person commented that ‘I really like it here. The staff are good.’ The increased emphasis on promoting health has also supported young people making progress with their life-skills. Young people are now actively involved in helping to plan, prepare and cook meals. This is ensuring young people are developing skills in readiness for adulthood.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no incidents of restraint in the home. All staff are trained in the home’s chosen method of restraint and so are up to date with their skills in managing negative behaviours. Sanctions are used where necessary and only for the purpose of promoting positive behaviour. Young people consider the use of sanctions to be fair and reasonable. A young person commented that ‘I know why the rules are in place, they are fair. It helps me to keep out of trouble.’ The manager has reviewed the home’s child protection policy and this is now more aligned to procedures in the local authority. Staff are aware of how to raise concerns about young people to the appropriate agencies. As a result, young people are now better protected from harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has ensured that partnership working has improved. Where young people present with specific risks and vulnerabilities, these are clearly made known to involved agencies. Robust risk management plans are in place; these are regularly reviewed and updated. A social worker commented that ‘communication is good’ and that the staff ‘are very flexible in meeting the needs of the young person.’ As a result, key information relating to risk management, progress and any concerns is robustly and swiftly shared with appropriate agencies. A teacher commented that ‘the staff do a great job in keeping us updated’ and ‘they are good at coordinating the different agencies involved with the young person.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has settled down and is now more stable. Where young people have moved on, they have done so into positive outcomes. In some cases, this has meant a return to young people’s home areas. There has been some redecoration and refurbishment to the home. As a result, the home environment is well maintained, warm and homely.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behaviours difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/10/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 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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