Children's home run by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

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

All young people have made progress from their starting point in the home. Effective partnership working with local schools and colleges has supported young people and increased their attendance and participation. This promotes their learning and will benefit them in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between staff and young people and young people themselves are strong. Staff understand young people’s behaviours and work as a cohesive team to put together strategies to enable young people to progress. As a result, this is a settled home where young people adhere to the boundaries, respect their environment and there are no concerning behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Support from professional services has assisted young people to change their ways and provide staff with clear management strategies, which they consistently apply. Specific therapeutic packages are sourced and funded to meet young people’s individual needs, along with professional counselling, providing support to young people in times of grief. This has contributed positively to young people’s emotional, social and psychological well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Activities, interest and hobbies are specific to individual young people. They enjoy time away and holidays with staff. Young people have personalised their bedrooms and feel they are listened to in this home. There have been no complaints since the last inspection and regular consultation between young people and staff facilitates any issues, which may arise. Young people are confident that staff will respond promptly to any questions they ask. One young person says, ‘Everything is fine here, they (staff) really help me and I’m doing alright.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The acting practice manager and staff have a clear understanding of any risks associated with young people and know how to keep them safe. Young people are safe in the home. Boundaries are distinct, and reward schemes help them to develop acceptable behaviour and self-regulation skills. Incidents of young people going missing from the home have significantly reduced and physical restraint has not been used. None of the young people are considered to be at risk from exploitation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A police officer from the area child sexual exploitation team who regularly visits the home and knows the young people well confirms this. He engages young people in weekly projects and educates them in relation to consequences of any inappropriate behaviours. Young people respond well to these messages.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no admissions in the home and no discharges from the home since the last inspection. Where young people are preparing to leave the home, support is provided to them and their family in line with their agreed plan. Contact arrangements are in place for young people to keep in touch with those people important in their lives. Young people have access to an independent advocacy service, and an independent person of their choice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The acting practice manager uses monitoring systems to enable her to have proper oversight of activities undertaken by staff in the home. Where any identified weaknesses are found, these are highlighted and discussed with staff to ensure appropriate action is taken to improve systems and support young people to progress. The independent visitor reports on how the conduct of the home promotes young people’s well-being and how effectively they are safeguarded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the last inspection, only one of the three requirements has been met. The home’s statement of purpose document is now updated to show the correct details of the services provided and who will be providing these services to young people. Ofsted has received a copy of this updated document in line with regulation.

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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 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

A requirement in relation to the relevant plans for young people has not been met. Whilst some young people’s plans have been completed in a new format, others have yet to be completed. As a result, not all young people’s day-to-day routines and needs are included in their relevant plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation made at the last inspection has been met and appropriate facilities are now provided to staff that sleep in the home overnight.

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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

14/12/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 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)) 31/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking into account the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (b) (IV)) 30/04/2016

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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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