Children's home run by Beacon Childcare Ltd in Cheltenham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement 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 progress and experiences of most young people at the home since the last inspection have been positive. One young person has successfully returned home to live with his family following a gradual and planned transition. The most recent young person to arrive at the home has found the stability that eluded him in his seven previous short-term placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For older young people, the training for independence is beginning to have some effect. The practical skills they learn in the home, such as cooking and budgeting, will soon benefit them in independent living. The younger residents of the home are developing socially and intellectually because of their excellent attendance levels at school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff members who listen and act on what young people say, actively seek the views and wishes of young people. Young people readily express their preferences on many aspects of their care experience, from their choices of meals and activities to the options for decoration of their bedroom. This helps young people to feel they have some control in their care experience. It also fosters a sense of belonging. One social worker recounted the experience of her young person, who shortly after arrival, was so proud of where he lived, he implored his social worker to ‘come and see my home’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The biggest single improvement to the monitoring of the quality of care has been made with the appointment of a new independent person to conduct the monthly monitoring visits. The resulting reports are thorough and complement the monthly information gathering and analysis already conducted by the registered manager. Additional support for the manager has come from the recent appointment of a new line manager. The establishment of their regular supervision arrangement has successfully addressed a requirement from the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers’ regular supervision of staff and the provision of frequent staff meetings help to support the quality of professional practice. These meetings allow for consideration of young people’s needs and they enable the staff team to agree their collective responses to those needs. As a result, young people receive a greater consistency of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As support for the manager has increased, so too have the opportunities for him to identify areas for development within the home. Recent staffing changes have bought a new impetus to the team. In an effort to improve outcomes for young people, the manager is developing partnership work with a partner organisation, to enhance the support already on offer from staff in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report they feel safe at the home. They are protected from risk by a staff team that is alert to young people’s vulnerabilities. Young people learn to regulate their own behaviours, which means that physical interventions happen only rarely. Young people do not go missing from the home. Significant events happen infrequently, but when they do the manager’s response is swift, decisive and has the effect of protecting both staff and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment systems are robust and detailed checks ensure that only adults who are safe to work with young people are appointed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team has good working relationships with a range of partner agencies, including schools, mental health services and social workers. Placing social workers receive regular reports from the staff team on the progress made by the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is a good advocate for the young people in his care. This was demonstrated when he intervened personally to prevent the unnecessary criminalisation of a young person for an offence committed in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has responded positively to the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. The changes made as a result have improved the quality of care by making sure that checks on prospective staff are completed, as well as improving staff skills to keep young people safe.

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional/behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/06/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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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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