Children's home run by Searchlight Care Services Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home was inspected in July 2015. At that time, four requirements and two recommendations were raised. The home has improved effectiveness because the registered manager has successfully addressed and actioned these shortfalls.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manger has reviewed and amended internal safeguarding procedures. The newly devised policy takes account of, and is compatible with, local authority procedures and government guidance and legislation relating to partnership working. Furthermore, staff have clear and unambiguous guidance on how to manage and report allegations. This improvement has a positive impact on young people’s safety and welfare because staff know how to respond appropriately to any child protection of safeguarding concerns. In addition, an anti- bullying police is now in place. This highlights the signs and symptoms of bullying and intimidation. It details actions to be taken by staff, how incidents are to be recorded and challenged, and the support provided for young people in these circumstance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good and sustainable progress in the home. Since the last inspection, incidents of negative or unacceptable behaviours have continued to reduce. Staff work with young people to support them to take greater responsibility for their actions. They support young people to adopt alternative means of managing their frustrations and anxieties. As a result, there has been no incidents of physical restraint in the past 12 months. This demonstrates the positive relationships between young people and staff, and the effectiveness of internal care plans and risk assessments. Internal care planning processes are supported by up to date statutory care plan. The registered manger has taken sufficient action to ensure that all necessary information and documents are available on young people’s case files. This means that young people benefit from integrated and consistent care that further supports their development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff work in partnership with education provisions and other professionals. Young people’s attendance and achievement in school is good, and they understand the positive impact education has on their progress. Young people are encouraged to widen their social circles by participating in community activities and accessing local leisure and recreation facilities. These opportunities mean that young people to learn new skills and expand their hobbies and interests; they meet new people and form new friendships. This promotes and supports their self- esteem and confidence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the organisation has recruited an alternative independent visitor. This appointment has removed the potential for any conflict of interest to occur. Reports of these visits are sent to Ofsted as required. The register manager uses these to review the development of the home, and identify any shortfalls. Monitoring of the service remains robust and effective. Young people are encouraged to comment on the service and the quality of care. This means that their wishes, opinions and thoughts are considers in to the development of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are well supported in their role. They receive regular and effective formal supervision that considers their practice and performance. Improvements have been made to records of these meetings. These now include a synopsis of areas of discussion, actions required and personal learning and development plans. The registered manager ensure that staff meetings occur each month, and these are well attended. Staff training is regularly refreshed and updated. As a result, young people work with experienced, skilled and well trained staff. They receive good quality care because staff practice and performance is monitored and reviewed. This supports their personal growth, progress and development.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned and operated. It is one of a number of small homes operated by this organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/03/2015 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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