Children's Home, Residential special school run by Kedleston (Wings Education) Limited in Westmorland and Furness

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

The interim manager that was in post at the time of the home’s last full inspection has since completed his registration with Ofsted to become the home’s Registered Manager. His position is effectively supported by the school Principal and a well- structured leadership team that work collaboratively to support young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home suffered major disruption in December 2015 following unprecedented heavy rain and winds. A number of young people were required to evacuate their bungalows due to flash flooding that caused major damage to the fabric and fittings of their accommodation. The Registered Manager made appropriate interim arrangements for their care and accommodation and ensured Ofsted were kept suitably informed. This included moving four young people on to a new post-16 provision that was pending registration with Ofsted. Although the moves occurred sooner than was originally planned, this was effectively managed and young people made the transition with ease.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has worked hard to quickly repair and renovate all the bungalows affected by flooding. Considerable progress has been made to again make these habitable. Although they are at different stages of completion, one at least is scheduled to be ready for occupation imminently. The bungalows all have new fixtures and fittings and have been re-carpeted and re-decorated to a high standard. Young people show excitement at the prospect of moving back in to their bungalows and are already planning the finer detail of how to make them homely again.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements were made at the last full inspection of the home in September 2015. These were both promptly acted upon and have resulted in improvements in documentation maintained by the home; specifically in relation to incidents concerning young people reported as missing and those making complaints. Generally, these have enabled more effective monitoring of the home’s activity and planning for young people. Although the number of complaints made have been minimal, these have been dealt with swiftly and effectively. The consistent recording style enables the reader to understand the investigation process followed and how the final outcome was achieved and agreed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the last inspection, Ofsted received a high number of notifications from the home in relation to young people being reported missing and having an increased involvement with the police. A further Ofsted visit took place in November 2015 to monitor progress. This essentially concluded that the home was being proactive in working with the police, other professionals and the community to reduce the number of incidents that were occurring. The home has maintained a good working partnership with the police and incidents have continued to decline.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has further strengthened its approach in relation to young people at risk of being missing. It has revised and updated the home’s policy to provide further guidance to staff. It has also implemented revised risk assessments that more comprehensively identify triggers and effective strategies to reduce the incidence of young people going missing. The home has also successfully negotiated improved arrangements with placing authorities to ensure the availability of an independent person to speak with young people on their return should they go missing. This arrangement enhances the existing opportunities young people have to raise any concerns or issues about the home. As a result of these measures, the home has been able to report a significant decline in the occurrence of young people being missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are eager to ensure that young people understand and appreciate the concerns that exist when they are missing. To promote this, the home has arranged for young people to participate in a range of awareness raising activities. These include, individual key worker sessions, group workshops with an external consultant and their attendance at a touring theatre production that is specifically focused on raising awareness of child sexual exploitation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition, one recommendation resulted from the last inspection. In response, the home arranged for all staff to receive further training to support young people should they require an appropriate adult for police interview. This now forms part of the home’s essential training programme that ensures staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively carry out their roles.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager continues to successfully evaluate the operation and activity within the home. He reports consistently reducing trends in both the use of sanctions and restraints. This is supported by data collected and recorded as a result of his regular and consistent monitoring activity. He closely scrutinises restraint practice to identify any potential learning opportunities. This ensures that good and safe practice is promoted and maintained; minimising the potential for injury.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people on the whole continue to share very positive relationships with staff. They speak highly of both care staff and the leadership team. They understand that more responsibility has been given to their house managers and their deputy managers to make day-to-day decisions about the financial management of their home. They identify this as a significant improvement as they no longer have to wait for decisions to be made by the Registered Manager. They can shop as they choose for such as food and furnishings for their home and organise activities without needing to wait for permission or funding. Young people agreed that this was more like what it should be living in a family home. One young person that has recently moved to the home commented, ‘I would rate this home ten out of ten. I don’t think there is anything they could do to make it better. Staff are really nice and I can speak to anyone. I’m happy here.’

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Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 50 young people of both genders.  It is a privately owned residential special school which is also registered as a children’s home.  The home provides for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Information about this children's home

23/01/2015 CH - Interim improved 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

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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