Children's home run by East Midlands Care Matters Limited in Amber Valley

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 improved effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Since the last inspection the management team have been swift to address one requirement and two recommendations made, resulting in improvements in the homes functioning. Although one requirement has not been fully met, the service are working towards meeting it. This does not detract from the improvements made and the excellent quality of care provided.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Internal quality assurance systems, which are fully compatible with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, have improved the manager’s capacity to monitor the quality and effectiveness of the service. Improved systems to keep a track of the training all staff members complete promotes professional development and ensures that the team remain skilled in meeting the complex needs of all children and young people living in the home. Care plans and risk assessments are now more child friendly and contain clear and up to date information about individual vulnerabilities and new risks factors as they emerge. This helps to ensures absolute consistency of care for children and young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children and young people are very happy and settled. They have many positive experiences and enjoy extremely positive relationships with a consistent staff team who are skilled, understanding and committed. A young person said: ‘Living here is really good, I would rate it as twelve out of ten.’ Feedback from parents is exceptional. One said: ‘My son is really happy and thriving in this home. He does lots of activities but also has the down time he needs. The staff get the balance just right as they understand his needs so well. The home has exceeded all of our expectations.’ Another commented: ‘My daughter has been on holiday recently with the group and took a friend. It has been amazing for her to have friendships so fully promoted. Socially she is thriving as a result.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children and young people are making exceptional progress. A social worker said: ‘This young person feels happy, safe and secure. His behaviour has improved dramatically and he is developing life and social skills. In fact the progress is dramatic in every aspect of his development.’ A parent said: ‘My son is making great progress and things could not be better. The quality of his life has significantly improved.’ Children and young people are given an excellent opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Extremely well-coordinated working practices between the manager and staff, parents and partner agencies ensure that children and young people receive the help and support they need and deserve in order to progress. For example, in respect of one young person, effective partnership working has resulted in her making significant educational progress. Her parent said: ‘The shared care arrangement is perfect in every way. We work so well together and with the education department. After all her struggles in education we have now got to a lovely place. My daughter’s views have been listened too, she now has a diverse and challenging educational package and she is learning. Previously she was learning nothing. Now she has the opportunity to achieve academically as well as in terms of her life and social skills.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Robust pre-placement matching assessments, consultation with parents and very careful planning ensures that children or young people with complex needs quickly settle into the home. A parent said: ‘The transition in was really good. My son was made to feel really welcome. Before he arrived the manager and staff listened to what we said about his likes and dislikes, what works and what does not. As a result, within half an hour of arriving, a member of staff had made a game up which really helped him settle.’ Additionally, as a consequence of good support provided to both new and existing children and young people during the transition process, all learn to accept each other and develop positive peer relationships in addition to the positive relationships they have with staff.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff support older young people well in preparation for adulthood. They help them to develop a positive sense of identity, emotional resilience and practical life skills in preparation for moving on. As a result of this and very careful planning, the recent transition for one young person into an adult placement was extremely successful.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

One requirement has not been fully met and is reset. This in relation to case records. Some action has been taken, but some case files still do not hold a record of the results of recent reviews of placements. This is a regulatory shortfall which results in children’s and young people’s case records being incomplete. This does not have an impact on the safety and well-being of children and young people and it does not detract from the excellent progress and positive experiences they enjoy.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to care for three children or young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and / or learning disabilities. It is run by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/03/2015 Interim improved 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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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ('case records') for each child which include all information and documentation listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child, with particular reference to the result of any review of the placing authority's plan for the care of the child being on files. (Regulation 36 (1) (a)) 12/05/2016

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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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