Children's Home run by Dove Adolescent Services Limited in Barnsley

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

Building on the strengths from the last inspection, the manager has made sure all the requirements from then are met. She also has further plans for improving the service. She has improved systems for recruitment of new staff and monitoring care practice. She has a very good understanding of young people’s needs and makes sure there are strong levels of support in place from staff and other services. Staff provide young people with very positive experiences. Despite their progress not always being linear, staff maintain a high quality of care to help young people overcome challenges in their lives. One young person who came with risks of child sexual exploitation has successfully moved back to live with her family. Staff kept her safe and their commitment to supporting her to look after herself and develop independence skills has paid dividends. For example, in the last year there have been no missing from home

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

incidents, much improved family contact, growth in confidence, better social skills and a wide range of educational achievements. Planning for another young person moving into the home from a secure setting has been exceptional. The manager ensured very strong partnership working took place so that this move was positive and that necessary support services were in place right from the start. In the few weeks this young person has been at the home, there is already a reduction in previous risky behaviour. The staff team is stable and provide young people with nurturing care, clear expectations, boundaries and structure. Young people have good relationships and positive rapport with staff. This provides the foundation for helping young people, mature, develop and make good progress. The manager and staff have very good working relationships with parents, carers and other professionals. There is regular communication and a strong focus on

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

promoting the best interests of young people. Feedback from these people is very complimentary about the quality of care given to young people. Staff are sensitive and committed to helping young people maintain contact with their families. In particular, where these relationships are fragile or breakdown, the levels of support to both young people and their relatives has a positive impact. Young people enjoy good levels of inclusion in the running of the home and decisions about their care. They have a high level of influence over activities, food, décor, choices about college and their own incentives such as a concert ticket or expensive perfume. Good relationships with staff mean that they can discuss issues as they arise on a day-to-day basis. Young people’s care is planned well in a way that respects their individual needs and preferences. This includes risk management. Risks such as missing from

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home, self-harm and child sexual exploitation are managed very effectively and with sensitivity that avoids blaming any young person. This approach has been very successful in significantly improving the safety of young people. The manager and staff have good working relationships with other safeguarding agencies. This promotes a joined up approach to keeping young people safe particularly with third parties who are potential risks. Staff undertake regular ‘focus work’ with young people based on their care plan needs and risk assessments. There are high levels of engagement with issues such as medication, emotional well-being, education, boyfriends and behaviour. This gives young people frequent opportunities to reflect on important aspects of their lives and helps them make better choices. One minor shortfall in recording risk was evident in how the impact that young people may have on each other was fully considered. Although it was clear from

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

discussion with the manager that the matching process had been given careful thought. A recommendation is that future practice is better documented.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children's home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

04/02/2015 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

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded in the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (The Guide to the Quality Standards p56, paragraph 11.4). In particular that the shared living risk assessments clearly detail how this impact is considered in making a decision to admit a child.

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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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