Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Calderdale

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One significant change since the last inspection is the registered manager has taken maternity leave and a new manager has been appointed. Prior to the registered manager’s departure, her thorough handover with the new manager has fully apprised her of the issues. This enables her to take responsibility for running this and a second home that the provider operates. She has a good knowledge of the young people and their needs, which promotes continuity of care. She is successfully building positive relationships with the young person living at the home and the staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements that relate to independent monitoring have been partially addressed. The independent visitor now sends their reports to Ofsted. However, although implied, the reports do not state the opinion of the independent visitor whether children are safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes their welfare. This does not meet the regulations and is repeated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person who was new to the home at the time of the last inspection was discharged in September 2015. This followed a sustained period of serious incidents, missing from home events and increasing risks that negatively impacted on her outcomes. Another young person’s progress was impeded as a result of this dynamic. Despite the staff team’s committed support, the adverse effects of her increasingly unsafe behaviours resulted in the provider giving notice on the placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person who is established at the home has experienced a decline in her progress over several months. A significant dip in her school attendance, missing from care incidents and concerns regarding child sexual exploitation and poor health engagement are all associated links. However, the relentless hard work from the staff team, coupled with their strong internal and external partnerships with other professionals has resulted in some signs of improvement. Consequently, the young person’s re-engagement with education, health appointments, although in its early stages looks promising. Similarly, the numbers of missing from care incidents have decreased. Challenging behaviour is reducing due to the consistent routines and boundaries. One physical intervention that was used as a last resort was found to be proportionate and safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is acutely sensitive to the young person’s vulnerabilities and this enables them to talk to her about self-protection matters. Safety plans have been shared with the young person to help her to understand the severity of the risks that she places herself in. The young person is sufficiently informed to take advantage of opportunities to change her life before further multi-agency action is taken to secure her safety if she continues to place herself in unsafe situations. However, not all of the individual risk assessments have been promptly updated to demonstrate how all known risks are to be managed. Furthermore, missing from care documentation does not consistently follow its own instruction. This is because staff do not always clearly record if young people are at risk of sexual exploitation. The current system for raising concerns when professionals are unresponsive is ineffective. They have not been escalated in a timely manner for

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

prompt and decisive action. These shortfalls do not support robust practices. A requirement and recommendation are raised to address this issue. The young person can identify staff that she can talk to. This has led to some sensitive information sharing with staff that has been referred to professionals as a safeguarding matter. This is testament to the positive relationships and trust formed over time between young people and staff, who utilise their safeguarding training, knowledge and skills of engagement to good effect.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One complaint made by the young person was appropriately investigated by the home. Although the young person was not happy with the outcome, she accepted the findings. The lessons learned by the staff team intend to help the young person to develop her independence skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Management monitoring does not take into account the feedback following consultations with professionals, carers and staff. This does not make explicit how they influence service developments. A recommendation has been raised to address this issue.

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by a private company and provides care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the independent person's report sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded; and the home promotes children's well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b)) 29/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

If the registered person considers a placing authority or relevant person's performance to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge them to seek to ensure that each child's needs are met in accordance with their plans. (Regulation 5 (c)) 29/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with: each child; the home's staff; each child's family/carers where appropriate; and professionals involved in the care and protection of each child including their social worker, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), teachers, clinicians and other health professionals etc. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 54, paragraph 10.23). Specifically consult with parents, staff and social workers to inform the management review of service improvements.

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Recommendations

 All children's case records must be kept up to date and stored securely whilst they remain in the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 62, paragraph 14.3). Specifically ensure prompt updates of risk assessments and clarity in missing from care records that request confirmation about the risk of child sexual exploitation.

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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

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Information about this inspection

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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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