Children's home run by North Lakes Children’s Service Limited in Westmorland and Furness

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding 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 continues to provide a very high level of individualised care to the young people resident there. The staffing team are generally stable and offer the opportunity for children to develop strong attachments and trust the adults caring for them, which helps them to remain settled and to make progress across most areas.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Outcomes for young people leaving the home have been mixed, with one young person moving on in a very positive way to a foster placement in his home area where he was enrolled in a college course. This provides him with the opportunity of increased contact and educational progression. Another young person has transitioned under traumatic circumstances, having been arrested for a very serious offence and his placement having to be terminated immediately in order to safeguard the other young people in placement. This event was not foreseen and the young person had been making very good progress in addressing his risks, through work with the staff team and completion of an extended period of therapy. His transition was extremely difficult for the young person, the staff team and the other young people placed. Since leaving the home his progress has swiftly declined which evidences the positive impact the home was having on him.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New arrivals to the home have also not been without challenges. The staff team have been stretched by the admission of a young person with highly complex needs. Some staff have expressed reservation about the home’s ability to meet the needs of this young person but extensive support and training alongside a very detailed transition plan have been put in place to give this placement the best chance of success. The young person has made good progress in his attendance at education and has settled into the home’s routines. A thorough risk assessment clearly evidences his risks and his ‘All about me’ book details how staff can best meet his very specific needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Progress has been mixed for the other young people placed. One young person is making good progress particularly in regard to developing independence skills. He continues to be well engaged in the placement and is developing independent travel to his increased home contacts. Another young person has made limited progress and, despite a great deal of work being completed, staff find it difficult to increase his level of understanding and accountability for his actions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are generally safe in the home. There have been no missing from home incidents and physical management is rarely used even with young people who have extremely complex and challenging behaviour. For the young person whose placement had to be terminated there were issues of drug misuse and abusive and criminal behaviour which were the reasons for his placement ending. For another young person there are unsubstantiated concerns that he is taking part in risky activities such as riding a quad bike and mini motorbike. Staff work hard in order to help the young person understand the potential risks he is placing himself at and also involve other agencies such as the police to assist.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home works very well with parents and partner agencies, advocating on behalf of children to ensure all the relevant agencies fulfil their obligations to young people. The employed nurse and a recently employed family support worker ensure that a high level of support is provided in relation to young people’s health needs and their transitions out of the home. One young person is prescribed controlled medication and staff are managing this very well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two complaints made by young people both of which had an appropriate response and an outcome that was communicated to the young person. This ensures they feel listened to and that any complaint they make will be taken seriously and investigated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of the home’s recording remains very good with an exceptionally high level of oversight by the registered manager. Both internal and external monitoring activities are highly detailed and ensure the home continues to provide an outstanding standard of care in line with regulation and statutory guidance. The manager has high aspirations for the young people and of her staff team and works hard to deliver care of the very highest quality.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The judgement of sustained effectiveness reflects an outstanding service which has had mixed progress and experiences for young people since the last full inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The children’s home is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to five young males aged 13 to 18 with emotional and behavioural difficulties both within and outside the ASD spectrum. It is one of four homes owned by the company. It offers care to young people on a medium and long term basis.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/03/2015 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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