Setting SC473810

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has continued to improve the lifestyles of, and outcomes for young people with autism. Managers have demonstrated effective partnership in overseeing the home. They use their own and external monitoring to continually improve the service provided. This monitoring includes feedback from parents and professionals. It takes young people’s behaviour into account, as part of their communication to staff about the way they feel about living in the home. All requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed. Managers ensure that the development plan reflects their findings, and that there are clear actions to improve the conduct of the home. This plan is shared with staff, who are committed to respond to the leadership message of joint responsibility for improving care. Management complete observational shifts, to evaluate staff practice and identify developmental needs. A cycle of continuous

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

improvement and review has been established to good effect. This is evident in the progress young people are making in socialisation, communication, independence and community activity. They participate in effective citizenship that enables them to make positive contributions to their community as well as receiving high quality care. This positive practice base values their unique qualities and skills, and increases their happiness and self-esteem. There are agreed transition plans in place for all young people. They have a life placement in the same house they now live in. The home will apply for re- registration as an adult service in a planned way. This has been achieved through positive relationship-building and partnership with parents and professionals. By meeting a previous requirement to improve stakeholder relationships and demonstrate effective challenge when necessary, managers have improved

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

planning and outcomes for young people. Their needs have been paramount in reviewing their plans. Their stability and security have been prioritised, to ensure they can make successful starts to their adult lives. Due to improved communication and relationships between the home, professionals and parents, all concerns are being resolved at an informal stage. This means that problems have not escalated into complaints, because all relevant parties have been kept informed and consulted about key aspects of young people’s lives. Because the home now ensures local authority procedures are used to notify all safeguarding concerns, records demonstrate actions and decisions that are made by appropriate professionals, to ensure young people’s safety and wellbeing. Parents views are also sought and recorded about minor bumps and bruises sustained by their children, and this has improved confidence in the ability

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

of staff to care effectively for their child. Staff demonstrate clear enjoyment in their work, and say this is, in the main, down to the way the managers have supported their improved understanding of how to deliver safe care that values young people and meets their needs. They have participated in training and reflection that has helped them to develop their skills in supporting the individual needs of young people, but have yet to participate in specialist training to support their understanding of the impact of autism and learning disability on young people’s emotions and capacity to make progress. Nevertheless, staff have continued to increase their understanding of how to support communication. For example, managers individually modified inspection feedback to share with young people. This included a photograph of the inspector, to help young people remember the visit. Managers have fostered partnership with the local authority’s specialised behaviour

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

support team. They spend up to three sessions each week to improve staff knowledge and understanding of the impact of young people’s sensory, processing and communication needs. Staff demonstrate the ability to proactively plan to support young people’s behaviour and communication and this improves their ability to self-regulate their emotions. As a result, young people manage their feelings much better, as staff help them to stay calm. This has reduced the level of significant incidents in the home, which in turn has reduced the level of physical intervention required. This has improved the safety and wellbeing of all. Records of restraint indicate that staff provide clearer accounts of such events, the recording meets the requirements of the regulation. Managers use this information to assess the impact and effectiveness of care practice, which is in turn shared to improve staff knowledge and approach to supporting young people. However,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

much of this learning takes place in staff meetings, and there is limited opportunity for staff to reflect on and enhance their individual performance. Young people are happier and demonstrate less anxiety than previously, so they can enjoy a wider range of experiences than before. They confidently complete routines that staff support them to achieve. These routines provide pathways to enable them to explore new activities, and enhance their skills and understanding of the world. Because young people are confident in the support staff give them, they are more willing to vary their routines and become more flexible in their habits. One young person is being helped to understand that changes in seasons and light do not mean that his mum can only visit him once it gets dark. Staff use clear visual prompts and scripted explanations that provide consistent information. He is making progress to understand that his mum will arrive after his tea,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

whatever the colour of the sky, and this reduced his anxiety and related physical aggression. Staff capture young people’s progress in assessments of their care targets and detailed and proactive risk management plans that are regularly reviewed. They send regular update reports on an electronic ‘Newsfeed’ to parents and professionals. These reports are an affectionate, detailed and realistic account of the small but significant steps young people are taking to improve. Photographs capture moments of achievement such as getting on a train, delivering post, or independently using a picture schedule to complete a task. Parents and professionals respond to these triumphs by sending emails to share their praise and delight. For example, ‘That’s amazing’… ‘It did put a huge smile on my face and also a tear in my eye’…. ‘He looks so happy in the disco night picture’ …’you got him in the shower and to brush his teeth… that’s fantastic, he constantly

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

surprises me.’ This acknowledges, records and celebrates young people’s potential and progress, and enables parents to share their pride in and contribute to their child’s achievements.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children's home that is registered for three young people with learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/11/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2015 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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should ensure that staff are given the opportunity to reflect individually on their restraint practice, in particular that the method of restraint is appropriate to the specific circumstances encountered. (The Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations page 49, paragraph 9.55)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate resources to meet their training needs, in particular that they improve their understanding of the impact of autism and learning disability on young people’s emotions and capacity to improve. (The Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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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