Setting in Preston

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There have been slow improvements made for young people since the last inspection. This is attributable to the impact of new admissions to the home and an unsettled period for some young people. This has led to an increase in the number of incidents of young people going missing from care and concerns around their safety.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff and managers have responded proactively and promptly to such concerns, working closely with involved agencies to ensure the safe return of young people and in considering their risk assessments and plans. One placing social worker stated: ‘The staff have gone above and beyond their duties to try and ensure that my young person is kept safe and their communication with me is excellent.’ The manager has also ensured that regular professionals meetings take place, to consider the needs of young people and how to ensure their safety. This has involved placing authorities, education providers and police. Records reflect the commitment of the staff and managers in considering and responding to safeguarding concerns and how they can meet the complex needs of young people living in this home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Some young people have moved out of the home since the last inspection. Those moves have been handled very sensitively by staff and managers and fully involved young people. Staff have supported young people to visit new accommodation provisions and provided outreach support for some following their move to semi- independent accommodation. Staff and managers demonstrate a clear commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful transition for young people leaving the home. There have been no placement breakdowns since the last inspection, which is testament to the ability of staff and managers in ensuring that young people’s needs are well considered prior to admission and in being able to meet those needs.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people’s attendance and engagement with education and training continues to improve due to the support provided by staff and managers. From their starting points, they engage well in education and training and have aspirations for their futures. Staff advocate strongly for young people. If they refuse to engage in education alternative and structured plans are put in place for them within the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Incidents of missing from care have increased since the last inspection. Staff and managers demonstrate a clear and detailed awareness and understanding of the reasons for this and have taken action to try and reduce and eradicate such concerning incidents. There is evidence of very close and proactive partnership working with agencies, including regular meetings. Managers challenge placing authorities when concerns for specific young people arise. Missing from care protocols are adhered to, risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated and return interviews undertaken.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

For those young people who present with concerning behaviours and who are at risk of harm, more structured and regular key work sessions would be beneficial. Key work sessions take place, but a clearer emphasis is needed on considering their behaviours and actions, in order to increase their safety within and outside of the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people rarely make formal complaints about the care and support they receive. This reflects their ability and confidence in discussing any issues they may have with staff and managers on a daily basis. The manager considers all complaints promptly and meets with young people to consider their concerns and resolve them to their satisfaction. Detailed records are maintained to reflect such actions, with young people reading and signing to state their satisfaction.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The use of physical restraint is also minimal and reflects the ability of staff to successfully use de-escalation and other strategies to support young people at times of crisis. Following any incident of restraint, young people take part in de- brief meetings with staff to consider their concerning behaviours, views on the use of restraint and to identify what could have been done differently. This reflects the staff commitment to engaging young people in all aspects of the care and support they receive.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

One recommendation was made as a result of the last inspection. The manager has now ensured that following any missing from care incidents, reports from return interviews are sent to the home. This enables managers to consider and monitor such incidents and has led to very clear and proactive information sharing with placing authorities and local police.

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this children's home

This privately run children’s home is registered for five children or young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for single sex occupancy only.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that young people feel safe and are safe. Staff should support young people to be aware of and manage their own safety both inside and outside the home to the extent that any good parent would. Staff should help young people to understand how to protect themselves, feel protected and be protected from significant harm. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 43, paragraph 9.9)

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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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