Children's home run by Leicestershire County Council in Blaby

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

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

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people continue to receive excellent support and care from a highly dedicated and skilled staff team. Since the last inspection, several young people have moved on to supported lodgings or semi-independent living arrangements. Those moves have been sensitively and carefully planned, involving young people in identifying and visiting new provisions. Some young people continue to receive outreach support from the staff team in their new accommodation. This reflects the total commitment of staff and managers to providing ongoing support and advice to young people and leads to successful transitions.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A key strength of this home is in the longevity of placements for young people and in how well the staff team and managers plan for new admissions. There have been no emergency admissions to this home since the last inspection. The manager carefully considers all potential new referrals with the staff team, ensuring that young people are well matched and that staff are able to meet their complex needs. This is reflected in the detailed care plans and risk assessments for each young person, with regular reviews and updates to ensure they continue to meet the changing needs of young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

For those young people who have moved on from this home, their feedback about the care and support they received from the staff team is consistently positive. One ex-resident of the home stated: ‘I’m gonna miss you all. You’ve helped me so much and brought me on so far in the past year.’ Another former resident said: ‘It’s been a really good year and a half and I just wanted to let you know how much I really liked it. It has probably been one of the best experiences I have ever had. You’ve done so much for me and I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t there.’ Staff members act as exceptionally strong and positive advocates for young people in their care. This is particularly evident in relation to how they work to consider and meet the educational needs of each young person. A manager from one placing authority praised the staff team for their support of education: ‘The education lead in the home is amazing. They challenge education providers to

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

ensure the young person’s needs are known and met and acts as a very strong and positive advocate for them at all times.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people have education provision in place and from their starting points, engage well and learn the value of study. They undertake work based placements, vocational courses and enjoy new social experiences. They take part in local clubs and activities, increasing their inclusion in the local and wider community. Young people have also been supported to secure part-time paid work in the local community, helping them to prepare for interviews and in making job applications. This leads to improved self-esteem and a sense of belonging.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people enjoy regular contact with family members and significant others. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of their backgrounds and fully support agreed contact arrangements in partnership with placing authorities. As placement stability and longevity is so good, young people form appropriate peer relationships in the local community and many remain living in the local area when they move on from this home. Staff welcome contact from previous residents and take great pride in seeing how well they have done. As one member of staff stated: ‘I still see several ex-residents of this home when I am out and about and it is lovely to see how well they have done and how grateful they are for the help and support we gave them during their time living here, it makes the job so worthwhile.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There have been no complaints made from young people, or others, since the last inspection and for some considerable time before that. Young people report feeling able to discuss any issues or concerns they may have with staff and managers, confident that they will be quickly resolved. Incidents of young people going missing from care are few, with staff responding quickly and in line with joint missing from care protocols and procedures. There is a clear system in place to ensure that return interviews are carried out, to assist staff and managers in understanding the reasons for such behaviours.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Managers have robust and excellent systems in place to monitor and oversee all aspects of the care and support provided to young people. Working relationships with all involved agencies continues to be very positive, ensuring that the holistic needs of young people are known and met at all times.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There were no shortfalls identified as a result of the last inspection and none from this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation to up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is privately owned and run by the local authority.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/01/2015 Interim Improved 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

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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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