Setting SC365647

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 Sustained effectiveness . The environment is extremely comfortable and welcoming and has the feel of a family home. Young people have their favourite rooms, which they return to at every stay. Each room is personalised to the young person’s taste with bedding and accessories that make them feel at home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most young people accessing this service have done so for a number of years and have been supported through many experiences and stages of life. Staff are currently working hard to help them manage the transition from this short break service to minimise the impact of this significant change. The manager and staff are clear that they will support and assist young people to make the required move to identified alternative provisions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff focus young people on developing life and independence skills in line with individual targets. Each young person has a set of goals and outcomes to aim towards, which they, along with parents and staff have identified. Staff regularly record against these, which shows clearly the considerable progress they have all made in different areas. Photographic evidence and key work session recordings support and evidence this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records are kept in a way that is accessible and open to young people. One young person took me through his file, with obvious pride and a sense of achievement. He was happy to show me photographs of him achieving targets and generally enjoying himself. Young people are involved in producing and updating their care plans on a regular basis. Key work sessions are recorded in detail and where appropriate, in pictorial form so that young people are able to understand and look back on them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments are individualised to each young person. Staff identify risks and grade them and implement actions to mitigate risk as far as possible. They are up to date and reviewed every six months. Staff sign to confirm that they have read and understood at regular intervals. This helps to safeguard young people. Each young person has a personal emergency evacuation plan, which is written in a way that they can understand. Fire drill information is laminated and displayed in pictorial form, to ensure it is accessible to young people. Parents say that they are confident that their children are safe in this home, which helps them to relax and enjoy the break.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are included in all aspects of the running of the home. During the inspection, with the support of staff, they planned what to eat and what needed to be purchased. They went shopping, followed their list and purchased the ingredients for their evening meal. A staff member and a young person then began to prepare the meal. It was clear that this is standard procedure in this home and young people willingly engage with the process. Such involvement helps young people to improve their independent life skills giving them a sense of achievement, which has a positive effect on their confidence and self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff know young people very well and relationships between them are trusting and mutually respectful. Young people are encouraged to develop their own interests, trips and activities to support these. One young person had researched and planned a trip on a specific railway line and was in the process of looking at another trip to try a new ride at a theme park.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A parent said that her son has made progress over many years that she does not think would have been possible anywhere else. He is able and willing to undertake basic chores around the home that increase his independence and self-sufficiency. Parents are extremely disappointed that the service has been de-commissioned and are anxious that alternatives offered will not provide the same quality of care. A parent said that what really sets this service apart is that ‘staff really care, it is not simply a job to them, they care and that makes all the difference’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no occasions when staff have had to use physical intervention. Young people do not go missing and there have been no complaints made nor allegations against staff. One incident relating to a minor altercation between two young people was recorded in full, with supporting key work sessions following. Young people were encouraged to reflect on what had happened and strategies were discussed about how to handle frustrations differently in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are photographs throughout the home and in each young person’s file evidencing that they access and enjoy a wide range of activities and pastimes. When young people move on from the service they are given a picture memory book of themselves and important others enjoying their time there. Staff also support young people to access leisure activities within the community on an outreach basis. It is hoped that this can continue when the setting no longer offers a short break service.

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a registered charity from whom, parents purchase individual stays using the direct payments scheme. The home offers short break day and overnight care four times per calendar month. Three children and young people between six and nineteen years of age can stay in the home at one time. Six young people currently use the service between one and four times per month. The service is planned to close in September 2016.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2014 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

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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