Setting SC480592

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection of the home in September 2015, the former deputy manager of the home has been appointed to the role of manager at the home. She is suitably experienced, having worked in this home for a number of years, and is awaiting formal registration with Ofsted. A deputy manager, also newly appointed, supports her in managing the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As young people live in this home on a short-term basis only, none of the current residents were living here at the time of the last inspection. The majority of young people placed since this time have made pleasing progress here. Their risk taking behaviours have decreased as staff work with them to improve their self-esteem and learn how to keep themselves safe. Some young people have also made successful returns to their home area. Young people receive personal education tuition at the home, as their placements are short-term. Current residents are making the most of this opportunity and are working hard with the aim of obtaining national qualifications. They are thinking about their future and have plans to attend college.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been a number of staff changes since the last inspection. However, some vacancies have been filled by the promotion of staff already working in the home. This has helped to maintain consistent practice. Young people spoken to comment on the positive relationships that they have with staff and say that they enjoy spending time with them. Warm and respectful relationships were evident during the inspection. The majority of young people also get on well together. Staff help them address any difficulties that do arise. Young people say they feel safe and supported here.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three requirements were made at the last full inspection. The manager has taken action to address these. For example, improvements are evident in: the quality of lone working risk assessments; the reporting of health and safety matters; and in maintaining a record of the staff duty roster.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite the positive actions taken above, this inspection has identified a number of further concerns, relating mainly to leadership and management functions in the home. The manager’s attentions have been focussed on staff recruitment and tasks associated with the registration of a new building, as the plan is for this service to move to alternative premises in the near future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff complete impact risk assessments when considering a new admission. These documents demonstrate the needs and behaviours of the young person being considered for placement in the home, but they do not give consideration as to how these behaviours may affect the current group of young people. Neither do they indicate what actions staff should take to guard against this. Furthermore, following admission to the home, young people’s placement plans and risk assessments are not always developed in negotiation with the placing social worker. Staff do not routinely send these documents to social workers. Consequently, it is difficult to ensure that everyone working with the young person is in agreement with the plan or working to agreed objectives. Similarly, the current procedure for ensuring that all staff working in the home are familiar with these documents is ineffective, potentially leading to inconsistent care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s risk taking behaviours do reduce following admission to the home, but some young people have gone missing since the last inspection. Staff take appropriate action in relation to following local missing from home protocols, but they have failed to chase placing authorities to remind them of their obligations to carry out return home interviews with the young person. Similarly, while staff maintain records in relation to physical interventions, some bound records are incomplete. A number of records viewed on inspection contained no manager’s evaluation. Hence, it is difficult to be assured that lessons are being learnt from these incidents. Other omissions included, incorrect dates, duplicate de-brief records and missing staff signatures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager’s internal monitoring had failed to identify the above issues. Furthermore, young people’s records were disorganised, with documents being filed differently and being difficult to locate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has updated the home’s Statement of Purpose on two occasions since the last inspection. However, these updated documents have not been forwarded to Ofsted as required.

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Information about this children's home

The home is one of a number owned and managed by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four female young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 CH - 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

Ensure that when the registered person, or staff consider, a placing authority's performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority to ensure that each child's needs are met in accordance with the child's 22/04/2016 relevant plan; specifically in relation to their responsibility to complete return home interviews with young people (Regulation 5(c))

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard: the registered person must ensure that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; specifically that care plans and risk assessments are agreed with the placing authority and the process for staff familiarisation is effective (Regulation 12(2)(b)) 22/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard: the registered person should use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home (Regulation 13(1)(h)) 22/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that HMCI is notified of any revisions to the statement of purpose and is sent a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision (Regulation 16(3)(b)) 22/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 24 hours of the use of restraint, a record is made that includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person has spoken to the user about the measure and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 25(3)(a)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)) 22/04/2016

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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 placements for children are only accepted where the home are satisfied that they can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (The Guide para. 11.4)

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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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