Children's home run by A J Residential Care Ltd

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection of the home in December 2015, one requirement and one recommendation were made. These have been fully addressed. This demonstrates the home's commitment to improve the quality of care provided. Risk assessments relating to young people going missing have been reviewed and revised. They are now much more individualised to the specific needs of young people. Repairs, refurbishment and redecoration have been carried out. For example, a new hall/stairway carpet has been fitted, as has new bathroom flooring, and a young person’s room has been redecorated with the young person fully involved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Observations indicate that young people feel safe and are happy. There is clear evidence that they continue to make good progress and have good experiences. Young people have excellent relationships with staff, with interactions being relaxed, warm and nurturing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no admissions to the home since the last inspection. There are good arrangements in place for any that may occur. Arrangements demonstrate that any admission is assessed, planned and thought through. The home’s processes include visits by staff to the young person’s previous home or placement, and the young person visiting with overnight stays, where possible, in line with assessed needs. This process helps young people to settle in. There is work with placing authorities and parents, to find out as much as possible about a young person’s needs, so that robust plans can be developed. Staff are fully aware of plans, and implement these so that identified needs are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Arrangements to support young people’s transition to other services are excellent. Transition plans are provided by placing authorities, and the home has detailed arrangements that all staff are aware of. Staff work closely with placing authorities and all relevant professionals to ensure that young people are fully prepared and supported for this important time in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a well-established complaints system. There have been no complaints since the last inspection. Staff are fully aware of how to support young people to express their concerns about any matter.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no child protection concerns since the last inspection. The home has an established procedure that the registered manager is reviewing as part of usual monitoring and annual processes. The manager shared with the inspector some areas where the procedure needs to be updated, and this will be completed shortly and shared with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has an established system in place to monitor records, systems and practices. This ensures that strengths, as well as any areas for development, are identified and addressed. There have been no incidents requiring the use of physical restraint, or where young people have gone missing. Recording processes are available for any incidents. There are high staff ratios and close supervision of young people at all times.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are other areas where the home has improved further since the last inspection. Staff have worked closely with placing social workers regarding the interests and activities that young people wish to develop. For example, one young person has asked to join the army cadets. Staff have researched this with the young person to ensure that this will be safe, appropriate and in line with the young person’s needs. They have shared the relevant information and gained agreement with the placing social worker, so that this can go ahead. Work has continued in developing and supporting contact between young people and those important to them. The manager liaises closely with placing social workers, sharing all relevant information and securing joint agreement and approval. Staff understand how important contact is to young people, and provide excellent support in this area.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to have positive relationships and effective partnerships with relevant professionals, agencies and services. Regular and purposeful communication and partnership working ensure that services, such as health and education, work with staff, so that effective care is delivered to young people and positive outcomes are achieved.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides accommodation for up to four young people who have learning difficulties. It is provided by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 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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