Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Barnsley

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the last 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

Since the last inspection, one significant change is that the new owner is a large nationwide provider of behavioural care in the United Kingdom. The responsible individual and existing managers remain in the same positions as before. Although the new owners are a much larger organisation, the manager reports that so far there has been little impact on the operation of the home or the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is currently a process of integrating new documentation and the manager is keen to ensure that any changes meet the regulations. She is also clear that she will have an input into any new processes that are implemented. She said, ‘We pride ourselves on what we do. If it doesn’t work we don’t do it’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new ownership brings positive changes in respect of more training opportunities for staff as well as additional educational resources that have been made available to the young people. As this is a recent change, the manager fully recognises that it will take time before the full impact of the new ownership will be known.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved back to her hometown. Prior to leaving, her particular achievement was to obtain qualifications despite not previously attending education for many years. An implemented transition plan involved the staff working at the new home to help her settle and provide information to the new staff. She remains in contact having sustained relationships with another young person at the home. This good practice enables young people to positively move on with a wider support network to call on as and when they need it.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person that is soon to make the transition into independence has made good progress in all areas of her life. Her acquired independence skills equip her to care for herself in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An established young person continues to make good progress in various aspects of his life, particularly his emotional wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem. He said that the manager is, ‘Like a second mum to me’ and ‘All the staff care about you’. The manager is active in addressing difficulties at his education placement, which is having a negative impact on his current school attendance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person placed two weeks ago has integrated well into home-life. Although this was an emergency placement, before agreeing to the placement the manager gave careful consideration to the impact on the other young people. At the insistence of the manager, necessary paperwork and planning was provided by the placing authority. Although education is still in the process of confirmation, the daily routines follow a normal school day, with contact already established with family members.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Keeping young people safe is a priority and good staff practices help young people highly rate their sense of safety in the home. Individual risk assessments are reviewed regularly taking into account young people’s developing maturity and progress, thus minimising potential risks. There are currently no child sexual exploitation concerns. There have been no notifications or complaints during this period. The staff team are good at de-escalating challenging behaviours by using a variety of behaviour management techniques. Consequently, one restraint has been used to ensure a young person’s safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although there are ongoing missing from care incident reports, these have reduced in respect of time away and frequency, with the young person usually at friends’ addresses in the local area.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s reasonable views and requests are acted on, which makes them feel listened to. For example, acting on a young person’s wishes has resulted in the team acquiring two cats. Their presence contributes to the welcoming and homely ambience that the home seeks to promote for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s access to a diverse range of leisure and sporting activities within the locality positively exposes them to different social and fun experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a strong presence in the home and leads by example. She has a good insight into the young people, has developed positive relationships with them and endeavours to ensure that she is present when they first arrive. She is passionate about her role and acts as a strong advocate for the young people, challenging professional stakeholders when their services are ineffective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from a diverse mix of new and experienced staff who they relate well to. New staff feel supported by the manager and other team members to carry out their roles and responsibilities. One said, ‘I have felt like a part of the team from day one’. A deputy manager vacancy has been filled internally, which adds value to the team dynamics and there are no current staff vacancies. Staff hold relevant qualifications as well as additional professional qualifications, with the manager supporting the team’s ongoing training and development. This promotes a skilled staff team who can meet the young people’s diverse needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is keen to develop the service further to include independence and outreach support packages as well as looking at providing more back up in respect of young people’s relationships with their birth families. Together with the staff team, she is always looking at improvements that could be made. The manager said, ‘We are a nurturing team. If we can get the young people one or two steps further than they thought they could achieve, we have done a good job’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both the requirement and good practice recommendation raised at the last inspection have been fully met. There are no further areas for improvement at this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The children’s home is privately owned and managed. It is registered to provide care and accommodation to up to three children and young people with emotional and behavioural needs. The home no longer provides on-site education provision.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

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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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