Children's home run by Wigan Council in Wigan

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding 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 Registered Manager has taken effective action to address the requirements from the last inspection. She has successfully introduced both a new medication audit tool and re-designed the restraint records. Records now clearly identify when young people decline medication and restraint records have an additional section called ‘body maps’, which have to be completed if injuries are sustained. This ensures that records are open and transparent and provides a clear log of both medication in the home and accidents and incidents. This has also supported the managers in monitoring the records and identifying any themes or patterns. Discussions then take place with staff members during team meetings or individual supervision sessions, to inform and change future practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people with complex needs, autism and learning difficulties continued to receive outstanding support in all areas of their lives. The home is warm, welcoming, supportive and a safe place for young people to live. The Registered manager and staff are very committed and enthusiastic in ensuring young people, regardless of the complexities of their needs, achieve their full potential and enjoy the same opportunities as their peer groups. One Parent said ‘I was very anxious about my son moving in, but the staff have been great. They keep me up to date and I still get to attend any appointments with my son. The progress he has made is fantastic. He is now able to use a fork at mealtimes and has started to vocalise new words.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a young person has moved into the home. Prior to the planned moved, the managers completed a thorough assessment of the young person’s needs. This assessment involved the manager visiting the young person at home and school, while gathering information from the young person family, social workers, teachers and health professionals. The young person had the opportunity to spend time at the home, including overnight stays and tea visits, to enable the manager to assess how well he adapted to the environment, coped with other young people and spent time with staff including his named keyworker team. A gradual transition was tailored to meet his individual needs, taking into account his character, communication skills and disabilities. His keyworkers continuously reflect on his plan to ensure he is getting the right support, guidance and opportunities to develop and grow.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Exceptional safeguarding practice continues to ensure that extremely vulnerable young people feel emotionally secure and have a strong sense of safety. Staff work hard to ensure that all young people are protected from bullying, aggression, abuse and exploitation. Staff report any concerns around young people’s welfare to the appropriate safeguarding agencies. They are clear about their roles and responsibilities and report ‘it is our duty to make sure young people are safe, well cared for and if any issues or concerns arise these are acted on and reported immediately.’ Staff continue to work collaboratively with families, social workers, the police, and local designated officer to understand and reduce risk and protect young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Due to the high staffing levels, young people are supervised at all times. This significantly reduces the risk of them going missing. Appropriate procedures are in place should a young person go missing, which all staff clearly understand. Key workers produce detailed risk management plans that they regularly review and update. These include the changing needs of young people and any current risk factors and strategies to support them. Staff are highly skilled in redirecting young people before their behaviours challenge the safety or welfare of themselves or others. They place a real emphasis on the positive management of young people’s behaviours and do not use sanctions in the home. Staff only use physical restraint when necessary, to prevent the young person harming themselves or others. Records are detailed, provide a clear overview of the incident and carefully consider its effectiveness. The management team, regularly review all records to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

identify any current trends or themes. These continue to inform daily care practices for all staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Placement plans and newly introduced daily recording books provide a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of young people’s lives. They clearly outline their assessed needs and targets, strategies to support these and clearly demonstrate the progress and experiences of young people. They are completed in both written and picture formats so young people can also see their progress. This information enables the managers to measure their development and understand how effectively they are being supported. For example, the records carefully track young people’s progress in taking responsibility for their own personal care, the things that they can do independently and where they still need support and guidance. The staff prepare detailed and informative monthly reports. The quality of these reports are excellent and they provide a colourful picture of young people’s progress and experiences, and are enhanced by photographs of young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people taking part in their daily lives.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for four young people with learning disabilities. The home is run by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 Interim sustained 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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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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