Children's Home run by Sunflower Children Care Services in Leicestershire

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service continues to be good, but there is limited evidence to support overall improvement since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The resident group of young people at the home has remained stable with no new young people coming to live at the home or leaving. This has proved beneficial as the staff group have an in-depth knowledge of the young people and have established good relationships. This further prevents the destabilising effect upon young people’s progress of an unstable resident group.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy a comfortable, warm and homely living environment. The rooms are well decorated, with photographs of young people providing a personalised impression. Young people have written poetry with the support of staff and this is displayed. This is a positive way of celebrating their talents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has completed a location risk assessment. However, she has omitted to include the views of key partner agencies such as the police and local authority. This hampers her ability to know about potential risks to young people in the community and take action accordingly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff endeavour to manage the behaviour of young people well. Young people receive sanctions for poor behaviour but this is counter-balanced with rewards for positive behaviour. There have been a number of significant incidents at the home. During some incidents, staff have had to resort to the use of physical intervention. This is not commonplace and only used as a last resort. All restraint is carried out appropriately and well recorded. The registered manager uses de-briefs with young people well, seeking to analyse the reasons for the behaviour, in an attempt to prevent recurrence. The staff group also reflect openly on significant events and seek ways to manage situations differently.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive help and support from staff who understand them well and implement individualised behaviour and risk management plans. Some young people engage in self-harming behaviours. There have been incidents in which young people require urgent medical assistance. The registered manager and staff advocate for these young people and ensure they receive the specialist help they need. However, not all the staff group have received training in providing immediate help to young people who have harmed themselves, particularly in relation to ligatures. This means staff may not be equipped to provide effective responses to emergency situations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a good response from staff when young people leave the home without permission. They understand patterns of behaviour that may be a pre-cursor to such incidents. Staff occupy young people and attempt to engage them if they are concerned that a young person intends to run away. On the few occasions that young people did run away, they were quickly found or returned of their own volition. Staff warmly greet the young people upon return and efforts are made to understand the reasons for the absence. Thorough incident reports are completed and young people are debriefed. This assists the registered manager and staff in attempting to minimise risk.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people attend the school on site. They are encouraged to maintain good school attendance. Some have done extremely well and have maintained 100% attendance. Staff use incentives and rewards well to encourage young people to attend.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The confidence of young people improves as they develop a wide range of interests and hobbies. For example, one young person very much enjoys football and plays regularly for a local football team. He benefits from improved fitness and has learned to work as part of a team. Another loves baking cakes and has developed excellent cake decoration skills. One young person travels some distance to take part in a drama group, and is looking forward to putting on an end of term production. Active participation in stimulating and creative activities enables young people to grow in self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment practice remains good, with robust processes in place to minimise the possibility of young people being harmed by those in positions of trust. Staff are supported, supervised and accountable in their work. They enjoy their work, are motivated, and remain ambitious for the young people. One member of staff stated, ‘I love it here and enjoy my job, I enjoy working with the children, I really do’. Staff members develop skills through access to regular training. All staff members are completing the level 3 Diploma in residential child care.

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Information about this children's home

The service is a privately-operated children's home, registered for up to three young people aged from 9 to 17 years. Children and young people may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. There is also a registered school attached to this home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/02/2015 Interim Improved 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

12: The protection of children standard.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person ensures that- (a) staff- (v) have the skills to identify, be alert to and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. This is with particular reference to ensuring staff receive training in the management of self-harm. 14/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

When conducting the location risk assessment, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of each relevant person. (Regulation 46(2)) 14/04/2016

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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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