Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Partnership of The Chartwell Group in Cambridgeshire

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has taken action with respect to the requirements set at the last inspection and there is now sufficient staff. A recruitment drive has attracted five new staff. These staff have completed mandatory training and the manager has developed a training pathway. This means that staff on shift have the necessary skills to complete daily tasks such as administering medication. Supervision takes place on a regular basis. The focus of the supervision meetings is to reflect on the welfare of the young people and to support the staff in their work in the home. Staff speak highly of the support offered by the manager. The manager has updated care plans and risk assessments. She routinely reviews these which helps to monitor the progress that young people are making. Because of this monitoring, the manager ensures that staff are building a good understanding with the young people. This has supported the young people to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

remain settled and to maintain positive relationships with each other. The manager’s scrutiny has also seen a development in self-help skills. Placing social workers speak highly of the work completed in the home. One social worker commented: ‘The home has done remarkably well. Staff are supporting a parallel plan, looking at options to either remain in this home or transition back to the home area. They have started a push to independence training especially with developing skills in managing public transport.’ This inspection has found a shortfall in the recording of sanctions. As a result, the staff are not developing an understanding of how effective these sanctions are in supporting an improvement in young people’s behaviour. The manager has recognised this short fall and discussions with staff have taken place to improve the practice in this area. There has been no physical intervention since the last

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

inspection. Young people are making progress in school. Some young people are on target to achieve their predicted GCSE grades. Others are developing practical and entry level qualifications. This will support them as they progress towards further education, training, or work. The school are working together with the staff in the home to develop living skills such as cooking and learning to budget. These will provide the young people with confidence ahead of any planned move towards independence. The coordinator of the virtual school commented that: ‘They bring young people on very well. The school and the home work together to build on the hopes and aspirations and the young people.’ There is no registered manager in post. The current manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted. The director of care is supporting her and this has helped her to focus on the recruitment and day to day management of the staff. This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

support has also provided her with the encouragement to improve practice particular with case recording. Consequently, this has improved, and, in turn, there has been better monitoring of the care provided to the young people. An independent reviewing officer commented that: ‘The placement is going well. The home understand his needs . T he local authority are happy with his progress. Staff are supporting contact with family and there has been progress with the relationship with parents.’ This progress will help in the long term plan for a return home. Young people do not go missing from this home. Staff follow individual missing from care protocols if a young person does go missing. Staff are aware of the risks in the community of exploitation. They use the up to date risk assessments and their on-going relationships with young people to ensure that these risks are minimised. Young people say that they are safe in this home and that they have good

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

relationships with staff. One young person commented: ‘ I feel safe as the staff look out for me. I get on with my key worker, she has put me in touch with the scouts which I enjoy.’ Staff ensure that there are suitable activities for the young people to gain experience in the community. They all have interests such as Army and Navy cadets or the scouts which are outside of the home. This helps to build relationships outside of the home and develops their confidence. Since the previous inspection, there have been no young people admitted to or leaving this home. There have also been no notifications to Ofsted or complaints raised against the service since this time.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, and or learning difficulties. This home specialises in offering long term placements to boys. There is an independent special school on site.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

Ensure that staff implement the behaviour management policy. In particular to record the effectiveness of the control measure. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 46 Paragraph 9.33)

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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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