Children's Home run by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council in Tameside

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are provided with stability in the home and have lived here for some considerable time. They have very good relationships with the staff. Staff provide them with clear boundaries and consistent messages. All young people have made progress since the last inspection, particularly in areas of education, their emotional well-being and preparation for independent living. One young person says, ‘it’s fine here you know what you need to do and staff are always there for me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working is effective and ensures young people receive the support they need. All young people are in education and, where they have moved between schools, support from staff has been provided to them. This has enabled them to settle in to their new learning environment. Specialist services are provided to young people to identify and support their emotional needs in times of distress. These mental health and health services provide both young people and staff with methods to address and improve young people’s emotional, social and psychological well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no admissions since the last inspection. Compatibility assessments consider any likely risk of a new admission and the impact this may have on both them and the current resident group. Young people who are preparing to move on from the home are provided with clear guidance and support. Plans for their future are clear and the young people are preparing well for independence and adulthood with good support from staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe in the home. Detailed risk assessments are in place for them with strategies that staff understand and follow. This reduces any likely risk that the young people may place themselves in. A police officer from the local area team responsible for child sexual exploitation regularly visits the home and knows the young people. He says, ‘Let me say, I have no concerns in relation to the young people living in this home. Staff are vigilant and very responsive to young people and work well with myself. This has helped young people to change their behaviours and reduce their risk of being at risk of sexual exploitation, and missing from home incidents are down to zero.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This is a settled home where young people get on well with each other. Their hobbies and interests are sustained, and they have enjoyed holidays and breaks away with each other and staff. Their daily routine is structured and planned with their agreement, as are any arranged activities that take place after school. Young people attend the local clubs such as the fire cadets, have guitar lessons, and see friends. Young people’s behaviour is not a concern and there has been no use of restraint.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirement for the home to have a registered manager has not been met. This is the main reason for the decline in effectiveness at this inspection. Although Ofsted has been kept informed of current management arrangements, the position remains that the home has not been effectively or efficiently managed by a permanent, suitably experienced and qualified registered manager. Whilst outcomes for young people are improving, the fact that they have not had a permanent manager in post since January 2015 is a breach of regulation with the home having had a vacant post for a manager for more than 26 weeks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The practice manager has implemented changes to recording systems. The records developed by him demonstrate a comprehensive and thorough approach. There has been a focus on addressing the shortfalls identified at the last full inspection, with three of the four requirements being met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Changes to recording procedures on young people have now removed duplication, and their care plans are much improved as a result providing easy access to their day-to-day routines. The interim manager has proper oversight through the monitoring systems implemented. Where any weaknesses are identified, appropriate action is taken to improve systems and support young people to progress. The independent visitor reported on how the conduct of the home promotes young people’s well-being and how effectively they are safeguarded as a result.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The available facilities for staff sleeping at the home overnight are not suitable. Plans are in place to address these arrangements, but these are not yet implemented. Therefore, this recommendation from the last inspection is not met.

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Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and/or learning difficulties  The home is operated by a local authority  The home aims to offer a secure and safe environment where young people may live and be assisted to reach their full potential until they are either ready to live independently, return home, live within an alternative family or move to an alternative placement in line with the child’s assessed needs. As outlined in the home's statement of purpose.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/10/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained 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

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if:

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Requirement Due date

(a) There is no registered manager in respect of the home (Regulation 27 (1) (a)). 31/05/16

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The design of the home should provide staff that sleep in the home overnight with appropriate accommodation to do so. (‘The Guide Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, paragraph 3.26 page 17).

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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

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Information about this inspection

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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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