Children's home run by Quantum Care UK Limited in North Northamptonshire

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 offer young people high levels of care, support and guidance. The strength of relationships between young people and the adults who care for them remains paramount. As a result a majority of young people remain settled and make considerable progress in improving their levels of confidence and self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has taken appropriate action to address the one recommendation arising from the previous inspection. Physical intervention records now provide a clear chronology of events including any antecedence and the rationale for using restraint. This ensures the accurate recording of incidents and the reasons for staff actions are available for review. The level of restraint remains low. Staff only intervene physically when absolutely necessary. The Registered Manager monitors the records closely with de-briefs undertaken with young people and staff allowing for further analysis and learning. One young person, new to the home but not to residential care, said, ‘I was very angry when I first arrived and staff were right to hold me…they have helped me to calm down more…the restraints were done right.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from a home run by a vibrant and highly motivated management team. The Registered Manager is passionate about wanting the best for young people and learning from experience. For example the current group of young people are relatively new to the home and pose some challenges, arising from their complex needs. Therefore to ensure they have time to settle the Registered Manager has sought agreement not to admit another young person at this time. This will allow for a period of transition where new young people can acclimatise to their environment, the routines and staff boundaries.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In a vast majority of situations the home has established and maintained excellent levels of communication with external agencies. This ensures an appropriate level of information sharing, such as key events in young people’s lives. However on one occasion a professional working with a young person was not given information regarding important meetings taking place. Although this shortfall did not place young people at risk it did not support the holistic needs of the young person in question who may have been preoccupied with difficult feelings on the day in question. The Registered Manager acknowledged the shortfall and immediately sought to rectify the situation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say they feel safe within an environment where their well-being is of paramount concern. Staff know young people extremely well and are swift in recognising changes in their behaviour, attitudes or mood. There have been fewer episodes of young people leaving the home without permission. In some instances young people have placed themselves at risk when away from adult supervision. In these situations staff actively seek them and engage them in work to address why they acted as they did. In addition robust responses to such concerns have included liaising closely with partner agencies such as community mental health services and the police to put in place protective strategies. This ensures a sensitive and cohesive approach that assists young people to become safer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager challenges partner agencies appropriately. For instance when a placing authority responded ineffectively when a young person placed themselves at risk of harm. The Registered Manager escalated the issue swiftly which resulted in strategy meetings and a co-ordinated safety plan and subsequent transition agreement. This meant the young person stayed safe during a traumatic time and was able to experience a positive move out of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to maintain good levels of attendance in education with a number doing particularly well in their learning and development. Some young people are progressing well at the organisations own school, while others attend more mainstream education in the local community. Excellent lines of communication exist between the home and education providers. This ensures a cohesive approach where young people benefit from targeted programmes that match their learning needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A stable team of experienced, motivated and committed staff ensures young people have their specific and complex needs met to high standards. Their energy and focus allows young people to feel cared for and safe. Some staff shortages have occurred through sickness and maternity leave. This is not having a detrimental impact as the home utilise a team of experienced bank staff on a regular basis. They work alongside full-time staff whilst the Registered Manager and deputy also fill in when needed. This ensures young people remain looked after by adults who they know well.

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Information about this children's home

The setting is registered to offer five placements for young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a private organisation. The organisation also manage a registered school nearby.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Registered persons have key role in seeking to develop the home's effective working relationships with each young person's placing authority and with other relevant persons. In particular ensure that information is shared appropriately and in a timely manner (The Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 52 paragraph 10.4)

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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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