Children's Home run by Inspire Children’s Services Limited in Lancashire

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both young people are very happy, settled and feel safe and secure at this home. Consequently, there have been no incidents of young people going missing. Recent comments include, ‘I like living here and get on well with my keyworker who I chose’ and, ‘I am still very happy here and get on with everyone. We had a nice Christmas. I spent half of the time at home with my family and half here.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people know how to complain and feel safe and comfortable doing so, knowing they will be listened to. One young person recently exercised this right. He was taken seriously and his concerns fully investigated and outcomes reached to his satisfaction. This demonstrates that young people’s views are genuinely valued and respected, which increases their confidence and self-esteem. There have been a number of positive developments within the service which have improved outcomes for young people since the last inspection four months ago. One young person has made so much progress in this home that he is being supported to move back to his birth family. An educational assessment has concluded that he can now be educated in a mainstream school and he has been put forward for early GCSE’s. These are outstanding outcomes from his starting point. One young person has been with this service for over four years, which in itself is

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

outstanding, given that he previously had numerous placement breakdowns in children’s home and foster care. Self- injurious behaviours have ceased in this home. For the last eight months he has also enjoyed frequent and unsupervised contact at his family home. This is significant progress. Initially, contact had to be supervised by two staff in the community to ensure this was a safe and positive experience for all concerned. One young person no longer requires specialist input to manage his highly complex emotional and behavioural needs. The psychologist concluded, ‘Since moving to this home he has made positive improvement in all areas of his life. He is in a safe and structured environment where he has gained a good understanding of his complex diagnoses.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team has been strengthened since the last inspection with the external recruitment of an experienced senior. The deputy, recently promoted to this position, is also more confident in this role. The appointment of a training manager for the organisation as a whole has ensured all staff complete mandatory courses and any required refresher training in a timely manner. The staff are demonstrating more confidence in allowing young people to take ability appropriate risks as part of their development into adulthood. This means one young person is now enjoying more independence in the community in spite of his complex learning needs. He said, ‘I can now go on my own to spend my pocket money but I keep my mobile on so staff can ring me. I am happy about this.’ The home now provide clear documentary evidence of focussed and individualised work with young people to enable them to develop practical independent skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consequently, one young person is now competent at: stripping and making his own bed; keeping his own bedroom tidy; helping with daily household chores; using the washing machine and tumble dryer; and, preparing meals with supervision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The décor within the home has significantly improved, to provide a homely and comfortable house and well maintained garden. In particular, new windows and a front door have been fitted which has significantly improved the home’s appearance. Young people love their bedrooms which are highly personalised. One young person has now got a bigger fish tank in his bedroom which was on his Christmas wish-list. He has also listened to advice about how to properly care for his fish and he is doing a very good job. Since the last inspection he has done work experience at a veterinary centre which he really enjoyed. He said, ‘It was good. I did all sorts and learned a lot.’ The one requirement made at the last inspection has been met in full. This means that the home’s fire safety processes are much more robust. As part of daily health and safety checks the staff now ensure that all fire exits are unobstructed. They

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have also worked particularly closely with one young person with specific learning needs to ensure he has a better understanding of fire safety. Moreover, there are now frequent fire safety drills involving young people so they know exactly what to do in the event of a real fire. The four recommendations made in November 2015 have been fully addressed. At the last inspection it was very evident that young people’s wishes and feelings are central to the day-to-day running of the home and all appropriate requests are positively responded to. However, it was less clear how they sensitively explained why a few requests cannot be agreed to. For example, one young person wanted to play football late at night and in all weathers. In response relevant, timely and frequent individual sessions are now well recorded. At this visit he said, ‘I am still very happy here and now it’s lighter at night I can stay out later, which is all I

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

wanted.’ There are now more robust processes for collating young people’s written feedback about their care and then discussing any concerns or issues raised with them in a timely manner. As an example, there were particularly good sessions explaining the importance of taking prescribed medication and why certain music is offensive to others. One young person felt that staff did not knock on his door every time before entering. He was apologised to and reminded that he has a lock on his door if he wants more privacy. There has been more focus on the importance of healthy eating and lifestyles in recent months. As a direct result, one young person has significantly increased his physical exercise, and to his credit took part in a charity run raising over £100. This has culminated in appropriate weight loss which has boosted his self-esteem. In turn, staff have also noticed that his overall attitudes and demeanour have

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

improved. He said, ‘I have talked about calories, sugars and portions with the nurse and the staff. I eat breakfast now and I make salads and eat fruit instead of sandwiches and crisps for my packed lunch. I don’t eat as much fatty foods and I feel better because I am now eating healthier. I have started trampolining again on a Saturday and I go dancing every Monday. I take part in more PE at school and I go swimming a lot, which is my favourite exercise.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to frequently enjoy constructive family contact and a wide range of stimulating activities. Comments from young people include, ‘I now stay at my mums overnight and I see my dad and grandparents’, ‘I like cooking, walking, the gym, football, swimming, trampolining, running, cycling, the youth club and theatre club and playing board games with staff’ and, ‘Staff took me to see my favourite band. We had a really good view and space to dance all night.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person is particularly talented at drama and was upset at the last inspection that this was not a GCSE option at his school. In response, the home have strongly and effectively advocated on his behalf to make this possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The internal and external monitoring processes have been strengthened since the last inspection. The revised format now allows more flexibility to review the specific circumstances and the strengths and risks of the home at any particular time. Independent visits also take place after the school day or at weekends to better ensure that young people are spoken to and their views ascertained about the quality of care they receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

More stringent monitoring has particularly ensured that all the required documentation is in place, up-to-date and accurate. The quality of recordings have noticeably improved, with more attention to detail. Internal placement plans are now completed with young people and are therefore more child friendly and meaningful documents that detail their unique needs and specific preferences. For example, ‘ I like a warm milky drink before bed and to listen to my music which helps me go to sleep.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s development plan has recently been reviewed in full consultation with young people and staff, so there is shared responsibility and accountability for achieving their agreed aims. Individual staff members have also been assigned specific responsibilities for their own personal development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The location risk assessment has recently been revised following consultations and shared intelligence with relevant safeguarding agencies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Placing authorities are consistently highly satisfied with the quality of care provided at this home. One social worker confirmed, ‘I am more than happy with the service provided and the communication with this staff team is excellent. This includes receiving the monthly progress reports. The home is always clean and well maintained.’ There are no requirements or recommendations arising from this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This is a private children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people at any given time of either gender, who may be experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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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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