Children's Home run by St Christopher’s Fellowship in Sandwell

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement 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 home has responded positively to a number of issues raised at the previous inspection. This has resulted in improvements that have improved the quality of care, as well as the efficiency of staff members to support young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The planning of admissions to the home is thorough. Detailed information is considered to ensure that decisions on the matching of young people are successful. On the occasions that departures are unplanned, the staff team make every effort to ensure that the transition is made easier for the young person concerned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are ambitious for young people and work hard to help them overcome negative experiences in their past. Keyworking sessions are meaningful and more reflective. These sessions allow young people to deal with circumstances that are difficult for them. This work enables young people to make good decisions about relationships and behaviours. The success of this work relies on the trusting relationships between staff and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The most recent admission to the home was from the provider’s sister home, which is managed by the manager of this home. The reason for the move was positive and this placement offers more security and flexibility than the previous setting. The home is prioritising the needs of this young person whilst a complex assessment is undertaken. There is a hold on new admissions to ensure that this assessment work is not interrupted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people currently living in the home, regard it highly. Young people who have now left the home share this feeling. At the time of the inspection, a care leaver was visiting the staff team to update them on his progress outside of care. He is appreciative of staff efforts in caring for him in the past. He said that without their support he would never have secured the full time employment he currently enjoys. According to the social worker of another former resident, ‘the home has had a lasting positive effect on him (the young person). It is the only one of his placements that he talks fondly about’. Leaders and managers are effective in monitoring the quality of care and professional practice. They adapt existing systems and develop new ones to reflect the progress of young people in the home. Remedial actions identified in the monthly visits by the independent person are carried out promptly. This ensures

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that the standard of care for young people remains high.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are protected by the persistent efforts of staff members to support them, and by their own positive choices around behaviour. Episodes of missing have reduced, as have the risks associated with going missing. Young people develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Numerous detailed checks are completed during the recruitment process to ensure that the adults who work at the home are safe and competent to do so.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team enjoys productive working relationships with a number of external agencies, including schools, placing social workers and parents. One social worker praises the ‘constant positivity’ of staff members, in the face of young people who are reluctant to engage. This determination to improve outcomes means that young people make relationships and learn skills that benefit them during and after their placement in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has addressed a number of requirements and recommendations arising from the previous inspection. All of the changes have been beneficial for young people and staff alike. For young people there is now better access to education and training. The complaints system is clearer and provides detailed feedback to complainants of the outcome. The standard of work to prepare young people for independence is higher, as is the one-to-one work undertaken in key working sessions. These sessions are helping build young people’s resilience by developing their understanding about how they can keep themselves safer. Staff are clearer about their roles and responsibilities and are better equipped to act as an effective advocate for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is settled, well-staffed and provides a good environment in which to offer young people the consistent support they require.

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Information about this children's home

This service provides care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. A charitable organisation owns and operates the setting.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/06/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

07/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory progress

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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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