Children's home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection two young people have been admitted to the home on a shared care basis. The registered manager has ensured that this has been well- planned and that staff understand and are able to meet the young people’s needs. As a result the transition of both young people into the home has been successful with staff quickly developing positive relationships with them. A parent commented: ’The transition has been excellent. I feel that even in the short time my young person has been here staff know him and he has settled very well.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make progress from their starting points. They are all attending school full time and engaging in lessons. Staff support young people to access specialist services such as speech and language therapy and child and adolescent mental health services. Staff are proactive in working in partnership with professional stakeholders and families alike to ensure that young people benefit from consistent care which maximises their outcomes. For example, staff attend school to observe how communication systems are used for young people so this can be replicated in the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff develop positive and nurturing relationships with young people. Staff take the time to get to know young people well and to understand the various methods of communication they use. This ensures that young people’s views are central to the running of the home. Staff are skilled in de-escalation techniques, consequently young people have not been restrained since the last inspection. This represents significant progress for some young people and demonstrates effective partnership working by staff with health services and parents. Young people are now able to enjoy activities and achieve positive outcomes.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe in the home. They are relaxed and parents describe how they smile when told they are coming to stay. One parent said: ’It is a home from home. I feel they flourish when they are here’. Professional stakeholders also value that it is a ‘homely home’ with the addition of specialist resources, such as a sensory room, which meets young people’s needs. Staff provide highly individualised care for young people which is based on their detailed understanding of their needs. They identify achievable goals and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to improve young people’s outcomes. Staff encourage young people to become independent and develop skills which will be essential in their adult lives such as completing laundry, preparing snacks and travelling on public transport.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidences of young people going missing since the last inspection. However, the registered manager has not ensured there are individual protocols in place so that staff understand what to do if young people should go missing. The registered manager has not ensured that individual risk assessments are in place to evaluate the necessity of locking the exit doors to the home. As a result, she cannot evidence that this is a necessary and proportionate method of control to the risks posed, or that this is reviewed as young people progress and develop to allow them as much freedom as possible.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff report that the registered manager provides good support through formal and informal supervision to ensure they can provide good quality care to young people. Staff are trained to recognise signs of abuse and in whistle blowing procedures. This ensures they remain alert and are aware of what actions are necessary to keep young people safe. There has been one complaint since the last inspection which was from a neighbour. The registered manager is working with the responsible individual to address his concerns.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff endeavour to provide continuity of care for young people. There has been a number of changes in the staff team over recent months. The registered manager has tried to ameliorate these changes by the core team working extra shifts and by using consistent temporary workers. She has ensured that only those who are suitably qualified and experienced work in the home and young people do not appear to have been adversely affected. The registered manager continues to seek to recruit suitable permanent staff to alleviate staffing shortages.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for three children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. The home forms part of a large charitable organisation.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

23/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered provider must ensure that:- 2(a) (v) staff understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. In particular to ensure each child has an individual protocol to be followed in the event that a child is missing. 18/04/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which sets out how behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home and the measure of control which may be used in relation to children in the home. The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 35 (1 & 2)) 18/04/2016

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

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

p.7