Children's home run by Pathfinders (childcare) Limited in Rochdale

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection there has been stability within the home for the young person who remains as a solo placement. The young person has continued to make progress in all areas of his life. Staff support the young person to attend school where his attendance and engagement are excellent. They understand the young person well and ensure, with additional help, he can make educational progress. School staff value the high level of information sharing which takes place on a daily basis between the staff and school, describing the communication as ‘excellent’.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff develop highly individualised behaviour management plans based on a detailed knowledge of the young person’s behaviour, needs and wishes. They ensure that he is developing practical and emotional skills which will ease his transition into adult life. For example, they encourage him to learn to wait, to cook and to engage in social situations with his peers. The young person now attends a youth club several times a week and staff encourage him to develop positive friendships.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff develop strong, positive partnerships with professional stakeholders. This is evident in the multi-disciplinary approach to behaviour management which draws together the police, specialist therapists and school. This approach promotes his welfare as he begins to develop alternative strategies to manage his behaviour. For example, he is using pictorial feelings cards to show staff how he is feeling and he is learning to remove himself from situations to allow him time to calm. These steps represent significant progress from the young person’s starting point.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff’s detailed knowledge of the young person means they are skilled in the use of effective de-escalation techniques. As a result physical intervention is rarely used.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work in partnership with the placing authority to ensure that the care provided safeguards the young person, staff and the local community. This is achieved in a sensitive manner without any unnecessary use of deprivation of liberty. When the police do not respond as agreed to the multi-agency protection plan the registered manager is robust in her challenges. This ensures that the young person receives consistency in agencies responses to challenging behaviours.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff promote the young person’s contact with his family which supports his understanding about his identity. They encourage positive friendships too. The young person said: ‘When my friend comes we have fun and watch telly.’ This develops his social skills and self-confidence.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no incidents of missing. Staff develop positive relationships with the police which would ensure a swift and co-ordinated response if the young person was missing. Staff understand how to manage complaints and allegations. They work closely with the designated officer and agree strategies to manage frequent allegations which are subsequently withdrawn. However, there is one shortfall in the recording of allegations. There is not sufficient detail to ensure that patterns and trends can be monitored effectively.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continuously reviews the quality of care to drive forward improvements and has met the recommendation raised at the last inspection. She ensures that the home is welcoming and relaxed and staffed by a small, consistent staff team. There is much evidence of the young person’s achievements. The young person enjoys living at the home and says that: ‘Staff are fun and join in when I am dancing and singing.’ He continues to make excellent progress.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for two children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home forms part of a social care company.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

27/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Children must be listened to and enabled to report any allegation at the earliest opportunity. Any allegation of harm or abuse must be addressed in line with the home's child protection policy. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 44, paragraph 9.17)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

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

p.7