Children's home run by Aurora Care Young People’s Services in Ribble Valley

None

This inspection Sustained effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good 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

Young people’s progress and experience remains steady. All young people are placed in suitable educational establishments and attendance and attainment remains consistent.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Contact with family and friends is suitably maintained. Parents are welcome at the home and regularly visit. Staff recognise that friendships are extremely important to young people. In order to support this, friends are invited to stay for weekends at the home. Likewise, young people are supported to visit their home areas. This enables them to retain a sense of self and belonging.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people feel involved in the running of the home and fully understand how to raise issues or complaints if they are unhappy. They also identify particular staff members who they feel able to share their worries with. Trusting and warm relationships are formed between staff and young people. These relationships are continuing to develop and help young people settle and feel safe.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection there have been several allegations made by one resident. The home have responded appropriately. External and internal investigations have been conducted in accordance with instruction by the local authority designated officer and placing authority. As a result, there are no concerns highlighted with regard to the care of young people or the home’s practice.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are listened to. The home advocate very well for them to ensure they are provided with external support where necessary. Likewise, they have access to a range of external support services should they wish to speak to someone in confidence. Records are detailed and provide a clear picture of the steps taken to address any concerns raised by young people, staff or other professional.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments are regularly updated. Assessments provide staff with suitable guidance on how to manage concerns effectively. This means that staff take a proactive response to the reduction of any risk. On occasion some young people absent themselves from the home and take part in the consumption of alcohol or drugs. Keywork sessions coupled with input from external drug and alcohol services engage young people in addressing damaging behaviours. Likewise, good behaviour management systems are effective in reducing these behaviours. From their initial starting point, episodes of young people being missing or absent are considerably reduced.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager was employed at the home in October 2015. The manager has submitted her application to become the home’s Registered Manager.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Internal and external monitoring is consistently good. Reports are submitted in accordance with regulation. They provide a good overview of the progress the home makes and the areas for further development. The manager actively seeks to improve the outcomes for young people and further development of the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection six recommendations were made in order to improve practice within the home. The manager has made good progress in addressing these matters. A new dedicated book has been developed to record any issues in respect of bullying in the home, and a new format for recording where items are stored as a result of a room search has also been improved. Residential care plans now take into account young people’s individuality such as religion, sexuality and disability and health care is further promoted by good use of external services. Furthermore, records of homely medicines now clearly state the reason they are administered and risk assessments are now consistently reviewed to highlight where there has been a reduction in risk.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is maintained by an independent provider and is registered for four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, and/or learning disabilities.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

There are no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection.

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