Children's home run by Family Care Associates Limited in Preston

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 home remains stable with no changes in young people since the last inspection. Young people continue to receive all the help and support they need to optimise their well-being. This includes staff actively encouraging good school attendance and advocating for young people to ensure they receive full time education. For example, the home has secured the support of both the placing and hosting authority’s virtual heads to escalate concerns over delays in a young person’s school placement. Strong partnership continues, with effective multi-disciplinary working, especially around areas such as health and welfare. These steps provide the young people with protection, especially from self-harm and risk of child sexual exploitation. For example, staff quickly noticed a change in a young person’s behaviour, which followed a disclosure. All concerns were quickly escalated and all multi-agencies contacted to set up a co-ordinated response.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The progress for some young people from their starting point is excellent. One young person has embraced the home’s nurturing ethos and formed a strong relationship with staff. This in turn has meant he has become more confident and his self-esteem strengthened. He has formed new friendships and developed emotional stability. This has enabled him to raise concerns with staff and accept the help he needs. Young people remain physically active through a wide range of activities completed weekly. This includes, bike riding or going to the gym. Activities are tailored around the wishes of young people, who complete their own weekly planner. Young people feel listened to and report that staff are ‘good and caring’. Staff continue to ensure family contact is supported. This has enabled sibling groups to have quality time together. This has extended to the staff arranging special outings, such as going paint balling. Staff ensured Christmas was special with

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

several meals out and events to celebrate the festive season in style. Life story work continues to develop to ensure young people have an increased understanding over their childhood. Staff also complete memory books that capture young people’s experiences at the home. This includes acknowledging key events and capturing their journey. The staff team have received additional training in self-harming, child exploitation and mental health. This has improved their skills and enhanced their working practices. Other improvements, have included ensuring staff have access to up to date records for recording physical restraints. However, with no restraints needed these records have not been used.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The number of missing from care remains very low, with only one reported missing. This has been appropriately referred and staff actively searching for the young person. The registered manager remains committed to delivering a nurturing service, which is underpinned by therapeutic practice. This has resulted in staff going on specialised training to embed this practice into their everyday work with young people.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children's home. The home accommodates up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/03/2015 CH - Interim Sustained 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

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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