Children's home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire Dales

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

Since the last full inspection in October 2015, there have been significant improvements in care practice within the home. At the last inspection, four requirements were set, which specifically related to safeguarding practice. Since this time, managers and staff have reflected on previous practice and consulted with a range of safeguarding colleagues. This has enabled them to gain the knowledge and understanding necessary to satisfy regulatory shortfalls. At an operational level, managers have ensured that there were sufficient staffing levels to monitor young people. At a strategic level, multi-agency collaboration with the police, voluntary sector agencies and safeguarding colleagues enabled effective sharing of information. Further checking and vetting of individuals provided factual information necessary for risk assessments. Safeguarding concerns were notified to relevant agencies, with updates on information provided as necessary. These

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

combined processes promoted improved decision making and robust care planning for all young people. This has ensured that young people are safe and have developed an increased sense of safety. These actions satisfied the regulatory requirements from the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendation to develop more effective ways of consulting with young people has been creative and successful. Managers have provided a range of methods for young people to contribute their views and participate in the operation of the home. An independent advocate visits the home and consults with young people. This has engaged young people in active dialogue to express their views. One young person had developed a more user friendly ‘key-work’ template. Additionally, a questionnaire format is available for young people to ‘rate’ different aspects of the home and staff performance. This approach embraces the differing needs of the young people and reflects a more individualised approach to consultation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides care for an established group of young people. Their progress since admission is very apparent. All young people are engaged in training, employment and education. This is a notable achievement, as some young people had refused to attend education for significant periods of time. Young people are achieving their individual targets and pursuing training for their chosen careers. Staff are persistent in supporting young people to persevere with their education and training when they encounter difficulties. This has resulted in vastly improved attendance and attainment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, this home provided care for a young person on a short- term basis. The planning for this placement included a thorough multidisciplinary assessment prior to admission to the home. The views of the young person were fully included throughout this process, and essential information was gathered. This resulted in detailed care planning, thereby ensuring that staff fully understood the needs of the young person from the time of admission to the home. Emerging information relating to this young person resulted in a planned discharge from the home. Senior managers notified all relevant agencies, thereby enabling transparency in care practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from care provided by a skilled and experienced core staff team. Despite recent staffing issues, staff demonstrate resilience in working as a team to manage complex and challenging behaviours. One social care professional said: ‘You can never fault the dedication and commitment across the team.’ Young people have firm and positive attachments with their staff teams, which makes them feel secure and safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team routinely undertakes monitoring of the operation of the home. Additionally, monthly reports from the home’s independent visitor support the quality assurance processes. Managers act upon shortfalls identified within these reports in a timely manner. This supports the home’s development and ensures ongoing progression and improvement. The management team understands what is needed to improve the home, and has clear plans in place to support improvement.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children's home. The home may provide care and accommodation for up to five children/young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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