Children's home SC033408

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 Sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager started recently following the resignation of the previous post holder. She is aware of the requirement regarding professional qualifications for this post and is committed to the necessary training. The manager has addressed the requirements and recommendations of the last inspection. She supervises all staff regularly and maintains a training matrix. She has made progress in completing the local risk assessment and updates this so that is remains accurate. The manager feels that she benefits from reports produced by an external visitor which comment on the quality of care in the home. The manager and her team scrutinise case recording on young people’s files. Reports are detailed but lack consistency and reflection. The manager is aware of this and has prioritised this as an area for improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people come to the home at short notice. In these circumstances staff and managers are determined to ensure that referrals are suitable for the home. They acquire information about any risks and matching these with management strategies for that young person. They work with colleagues to arrange prompt planning meetings which establish the care plan and set immediate objectives for the placement. A member of staff is allocated to each young person and starts building a relationship immediately. As a result, young people know that they are valued. The mother of one young person said: ‘He likes his key worker. She is attentive to him and makes sure that he is safe. It makes a difference.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

On occasion, young people do not settle and the impact of their behaviour on the current group can cause concern. The manager is aware of her responsibility to consider the interests of all young people in the home. She has been very persistent and assertive in raising issues with colleagues and senior managers through providing regular management reports that identify progress and concerns. Consequently problems are actively addressed and resolved. This means that young people are protected.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers maintain records of significant incidents. The high number since the last inspection indicates that this period has been particularly volatile. Staff and managers understand that challenging behaviour can reflect a traumatised and unsettled young person and work patiently to encourage change. For instance, one young person refused to join the home, placing himself at risk in the community. Staff were persistent at keeping in touch and he eventually agreed to stay. As a result, the number of missing episodes has dropped dramatically.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is proactive in scrutinising the quality of care that the young people receive. For instance staff use their meetings to review the progress of individual young people. They also identify other areas for improvement such as improving the participation of young people through residents meetings and using mealtimes as a forum for discussion. Young people feel listened to and this leads to a sense of shared ownership with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers are skilled at developing partnerships with other professionals. For instance some young people do not have a full time educational programme. Staff and managers work intensively to resolve this. The social worker for one young person said: ‘He was badly bullied at school so he is vulnerable. He feels a failure. Staff are good at partnership and we work as a team with the school. He is talking to us now and we will try everything til we get it sorted.’ Young people benefit from this determined and integrated approach.

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Information about this children's home

This home is managed by the local authority and offers short-term and emergency placements. The home is registered for up to seven young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home works with placing authorities and educational providers to provide short-term assessments of young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/03/2015 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):  Ensure that staff are clear about the need for careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non- stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child should always be recorded in a way that is helpful to the child. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62 paragraph 14.4)

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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

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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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