Children's home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Hammersmith and Fulham

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 manager and staff provide highly effective support that enables young people to continue to make excellent progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection young people have met, and in some cases exceeded, their educational targets. One young person has acted on her own initiative to re- sit examinations and obtain better grades.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people extend their learning in other ways, through activities, such as cooking, and mastering new skills such as re-decorating furniture and ice-skating. These opportunities exist because staff make sure there are a lot of activities on offer, both within and outside of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Many activities are designed to nurture trust with young people as well as promote learning. Staff often use their expertise from previous careers, such as hairdressing, to engage young people. This has had many benefits; young people have gained practical skills as well as boosting their self-image. For some this has resulted in more age-appropriate use of make-up and dress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, young people are coping better with life and relationships. They are able to develop and sustain friendships with others. This both reflects and contributes to on-going improvement in their emotional health.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection there has been a reduction in self-harm and 'missing from home' incidents. Young people generally get on well with each other and staff. Their behaviour is managed without resort to punitive sanctions and restraints are rare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has recently introduced an innovative 'instant reward' scheme for good behaviour. This is proving very popular with young people. They also have the opportunity to devise their own incentives for further rewards.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This is a hospitable home where young people participate in community activities. They are well-known in the community and undertake fund-raising for local good causes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people welcome visitors to the home, including the local community police officer who often joins them for meals. Partnership working extends to the parents of school friends and pastoral support workers at school. Along with excellent working relationships with statutory agencies, this partnership working makes a strong contribution to the safeguarding of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no concerns about the exploitation of young people. This is a community where they are safe and are further protected by sensible precautions where social networking is concerned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to have a strong oversight of what is going on for each young person, what is to be achieved and what can be further improved. She has met a requirement to ensure all young people have a care plan in place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to see that her staff are well supported to enable them to provide the best possible care for young people. For example, since the last inspection training has been undertaken on child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and advanced safeguarding. This ensures they are up to date with current thinking and research on these matters.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately run children's home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for three 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

04/02/2015 Interim Improved 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

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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