Children's home run by Salford City Council in Salford

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have made good progress since the last inspection. Staff report that they feel supported by the manager and that she has clear visions and aspirations for the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been completed and implemented. Staff have been sourced to cover a period of maternity leave and a new permanent member of staff has been appointed to ensure that staffing levels are sufficient to meet the needs of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation was made at the last inspection as staff supervisions was sporadic; the manager has started to put regular supervision in place. Senior staff have supervise staff to support staff to review their practice and further their development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Meetings take place to ensure the careful matching of placements prior to their admission to the home. Placements are risk assessed to ensure young people’s compatibility with each other. A staff member commented, ‘before X was admitted the manager risk assessed her needs and how she would fit into the current group, it was a well-planned admission which helped X settle quickly.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment procedures are good and checks are in place before staff begin working in the home. A new member of staff confirmed that a disclosure and barring scheme check and two references were in place and that references have been verified prior to his employment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have built positive relationships with staff who understand their individual needs and support them to continue to make good progress in all aspects of their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff recognise that education is an important part of young people’s lives, they support and encourage young people to attend and have regular contact with education providers. Young people completed their high school education last year and staff are supporting them in returning to new college placements and apprenticeship programmes. Staff have high aspirations for the children in their care and are proud of what the young people have achieved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the risks around using computers. Internet safety has been discussed in key work sessions, risk assessments are individualised and staff monitor the young people enabling them to keep them safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management in the home is fair and proportionate; young people comment on sanctions they receive and the manager evaluates the effectiveness of these in improving young people’s behaviours. Young people understand that if they break things in the home there is an expectation that they pay towards the cost of replacing the item or help the handy person to fix it.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a good ratio of staff to young people, which enables them to attend activities and have quality time with staff. Staff see activities as an important part of young people learning social skills and mixing with their peers. Young people enjoy going out with staff, and one young person volunteers at the local animal sanctuary at the weekend.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people were given the opportunity to have a holiday in the summer; two young people took this opportunity to visit London. Photographs and wall displays are visual reminders of the great time they had.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are encouraged where appropriate to visit friends in the community and to manage risks and keep themselves safe when out. Staff are aware of issues around child sexual exploitation. A senior staff member commented that, ‘X was at high risk of CSE and missing when first coming to the home and we are looking at changing this to low, we have a good understanding of the risks and keep ourselves updated.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people go missing regularly. A member of staff explained the role of the missing persons team ‘there is very good communication, we will inform them of any new admissions along with appropriate information. They will then complete a profile assessment, which can be sent to local police. Young people do not tend to go missing, it’s more unauthorised absence. Staff actively look for young people’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager also meets with the local police and other providers in the area on a regular basis to look at any safeguarding concerns and also to discuss the young people that place themselves at risk when they go missing from the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a warm nurturing and supporting environment, young people are encouraged to choose furnishings and decoration of the home. One young person was having her room re-painted, other empty bedrooms were also due to be decorated. There is a large well-kept garden and the young people were having an evening building new patio furniture to enhance this area. Staff spoke passionately about a new 12 week course they were undertaking as part of a pilot project with the Bristol University. It was focussing on adolescent brain development and social therapy. The staff felt they were gaining so much from the training and as a result their practice was changing.

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Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to accommodate five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties  The home is operated by a local authority  The home’s overall aim is to provide high quality care in a safe, warm and welcoming environment where young people are supported to reach their potential. We seek to promote well-being and self-esteem by building positive relationships based on respect and understanding, as written in the home's statement of purpose

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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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