Children's home SC062644

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the last 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 addressed all statutory requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. Staffing levels have stabilised, providing greater consistency of care for young people. Quality assurance measures are more robust, enabling the registered manager to have a better understanding of the progress and experiences of each young person. For example, monthly summaries on each young person include an assessment of their emotional wellbeing. Any identified concerns are then addressed through in-house work with the young person or referral to other agencies. A member of staff said, ‘We know and can evidence that all the young people have made massive progress.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are more effective at challenging partner agencies. For example, social workers are expected to provide better quality information when young people are being considered for admission. This increases the likelihood of a successful placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have worked to increase their understanding of protocols around young people who go missing. Recording of such incidents is much improved, and in every case a person independent of the home conducts an interview with the young person when they return. This adds to young people’s safety by enabling staff to understand why they went missing. Safeguarding practice has been further improved by ensuring that risk assessments on young people take account of all relevant historical information. The registered manager has made the procedures for dealing with allegations of staff misconduct more robust and transparent. This ensures that any such incident receives the appropriate level of independent scrutiny.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Other improvements include a complete review of the supervision and training of staff. Staff receive monthly supervision which is child-focused and challenges the member of staff to reflect on their practice and its impact on each young person. This supervision also identifies any skill deficits which are then addressed through additional training. The home is in the process of moving to paperless record keeping. This increases the accuracy and confidentiality of case files while enabling easy access by young people who may want to see what staff write about them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide a nurturing environment and deliver programmes of care tailored to the needs of each individual young person. This enables young people to become more resilient and confident in their own abilities. One young person said, ‘I have built great relationships with the staff and have lots of one-to-one time with them. This is my first experience of living in a care home, and it’s much better than I expected.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

School attendance is good, and staff support young people to take part in a wide range of stimulating activities. For example, one young person enjoyed a skiing trip to France with their school. Another attends weekly drama and film classes at a nearby theatre with a national reputation for excellence. Young people are in good health. Staff encourage them to develop healthy lifestyles, for example, by enrolling them in the gym and providing advice and support around food choices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is good at protecting young people. Close working with other agencies enables information about potential concerns such as sexual exploitation to be shared and addressed. There is little bullying. As a result, young people’s experience here is one of comfort and security. A young person said, ‘I feel very safe here.’

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Information about this children's home

The home provides accommodation for up to six children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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