Children's home run by Quantum Care UK Limited in North Northamptonshire

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 home continues to provide a very good service to young people. There are signs of improvement and the management team have addressed two recommendations made at the last inspection, with a resulting positive impact on the quality of care within the home. Specifically, independent return interviews following periods of absence or missing now consistently take place, resulting in improved safety. Additionally, young people have been reassured and consulted in respect of the placement matching process.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, a further area for improvement has been identified at this inspection, resulting in the sustained effectiveness judgement. This is a shortfall in relation to access within the home and does not have an impact on the safety and welfare of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s progress continues to be good and in some case excellent. In respect of educational progress, one young person said: ‘I got distinctions in my last three assignments. The staff are very proud of me. I am planning on going to university next year.’ Another young person also reflected on the progress that they have made. He said: ‘Since living here I have not been getting so angry. Staff are helping me learn how to keep calm. I now go to school every day and I am learning. Before I was not, as I was always being sent home.’ Because of the progress made, young people’s life chances improve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people speak positively about their experiences and the quality of care that they receive. One said: ‘I do lots of activities like going to the cinema, playing pool and football and going bowling. We have a laugh.’ Another commented: ‘I had never been in care before and I thought I would hate it, but I don’t. It is good here, the staff make it good and I wake up with a smile on my face each morning.’ Positive relationship with a caring and committed staff team, as well as clear and consistent rules and boundaries, enable young people to feel secure. This facilitates progress. A parent said: ‘The staff are kind and understanding. They give the nurture that my son needs as well as very clear rules and boundaries. He is now learning to take responsibility for his actions and his behaviour is really improving.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions into the home are well managed. Pre-admission matching assessments are thorough. A social worker commented: ‘I was really impressed how before agreeing to a placement, the manager contacted me to check things out to make sure that the match of young people would be right.’ A young person who recently moved into the home confirmed that he received his welcome guide and said: ‘When I came I was made to feel really welcome and I thought it was a really nice home.’ Good planning and a warm welcome ensure that young people have the best opportunity to settle into their new home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Well-coordinated working practices between the manager and staff, parents and partner agencies ensure that young people receive the help and support they need. For example, with support from a specialist drug and alcohol service, one young person has stopped using illicit substances. For another young person, the effective working partnerships have resulted in improved family relationships. A parent said: ‘Our relationships are being rebuilt, they have really improved and we are now working towards my son coming home.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although some young people have a significant history of going missing, incidents of this occurring have become rare. On the one occasion since the last inspection when two young people left the home without permission, they were swiftly and safety returned. A parent commented: ‘Before living here my son was in with a bad crowd and was frequently going missing. He is now safe, he no longer goes missing and he is getting the help he needs.’ The positive relationships young people have with staff, and work undertaken with them in respect of their safety, are significant protective factors which safeguard young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team continue to be strong leaders. They are dedicated, enthusiastic and child focussed. Through robust monitoring systems, they reflect on experiences and practice. They continually seek ways to make improvements to the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A shortfall in relation to access within the home has been identified. On the day of the inspection, some communal doors were locked. Although the manager confirmed that locking doors is not a common practice within the home, she identified that when some doors shut, they automatically lock. While this does not have an impact on the safety and wellbeing of young people, it means that their access within the home is at times restricted. This provides a less than homely feel for them.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is part of a large organisation operated by a private company. The home provides care for up to six children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

04/09/2014 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 ensure that children can access all appropriate areas of the children's home's premises. (Regulation 21 (b)). 29/04/2016

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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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