Children's home run by Horizon Care Limited in Cannock Chase

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

A permanent manager has been recruited since the full inspection in October 2015. Staff are confident in the new manager, who has brought stability to the leadership of the home and is enthusiastic about service development. An application for the role of registered manager has been submitted to HMCI and is currently being processed. While agency staff have been used to cover vacancies this has now reduced. Permanent staff have been recruited and there is a full team once employment checks are completed. After a period of instability linked to staff changes, the more settled team supports opportunities for young people to develop strong relationships with staff. Social workers confirm that communication and joint working with the staff team is good.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements made to the level of recruitment documentation expected from agencies providing temporary staff, addresses a requirement set on the last inspection and strengthens the protection of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strengthened management oversight has promoted improvements in placement matching and care planning. Improvements have supported a smooth transition for the one new resident admitted since the last inspection. Because young people are well matched they have generally positive relationships and are supportive of each other. Young people receive high quality support and guidance. One-to-one work is planned and facilitated providing opportunities for young people to develop protective behaviours and offering time to reflect on events to identify learning. As a result, risk taking behaviours are reduced and young people are showing improved tolerance in challenging situations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are making progress from their starting points on admission. Young people confirm that they learning independence skills. One young person has progressed and spoke enthusiastically about starting a programme this week of managing an independent budget. A social worker reflected their pleasure in seeing a young person, with a history of poor school attendance, now attending school regularly. Another young person attends mainstream school, is working towards GCSE exams and has an excellent attendance record. Young people have started to think about their futures. One has aspirations for starting his own business and another is now looking towards moving into independent accommodation. Community engagement is encouraged. Young people are supported to develop and maintain social relationships. Self-confidence is enhanced by young people’s engagement in projects such as volunteering at a local cathedral and attending police cadets.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good behaviour management means that there have been no missing from care events and no situations enquiring physical intervention since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides young people with a pleasant and homely living environment. However, this inspection identified damage to kitchen work surfaces which raises the potential for harmful bacteria to collect in food preparations areas. A requirement has been set in this regard.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for up to 3 children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned and forms part of a large social care company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

09/03/2015 CH - 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

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, in respect of the repair or replacement of kitchen work surfaces, the registered person must lead a culture in relation to the children's home that:-

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Requirement Due date

(1)(a) promotes children's welfare 02/05/2016

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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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