Children's home run by North Lakes Children’s Services Limited in Cumberland

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

The home faced a major challenge in early December 2015 when severe flooding caused by unprecedented rain and storms required the home to be evacuated. Managers and staff acted promptly to ensure that all young people were safely cared for in temporary accommodation, including a hotel and other registered homes operated by the provider.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider appropriately identified and secured another local property for short- term use to ensure that the majority of young people were able to benefit from the continuity of their staff team and the peer relationships that they had established. This alternative property was successfully registered with Ofsted in January 2016 with the intention that it would only operate as a children’s home until young people were able to return to this home. The home’s Registered Manager continued in his role at the alternative property while overseeing repair and refurbishment of this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and young people have shown remarkable resilience throughout this unsettling period, helping each other adjust to a new and less spacious living environment. Young people share good relationships with both staff and their peers. They are on the whole helpful to each other and show consideration and respect.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to achieve and make good progress. All are appropriately engaged in education and learning and this is well supported by staff that show a keen interest in young people’s achievements. Staff liaise regularly with local schools and provide practical support with homework and additional study. The good co-operation that exists between home and school ensures that young people’s learning opportunities are maximised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are proactive in promoting and maintaining positive behaviour in the home. They successfully use the quality of their relationships with young people to effectively minimise and de-escalate any potential conflicts. The home has maintained its good track record for promoting young people’s safety throughout the period since last inspection. For example, there have not been any reported incidents of young people going missing or any occasion when physical intervention has been deemed necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy developing their independence in this home. Staff encourage and support them to regularly access their community to enjoy local activities, shop and spend time with peers. These activities provide good opportunities for young people to socialise, have fun and learn about their environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people value the time they spend in their community; particularly enjoying friendships they have established with peers outside the home. Staff show appropriate encouragement and trust in supporting young people to develop those relationships. As a result, young people have developed a good sense of belonging and demonstrate greater confidence and maturity in their personal ability.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager, working in close co-operation with directors and staff, has been proactive in liaising and negotiating with contractors and safety advisors to ensure repairs and refurbishment meet a good and safe standard to support young people’s swift return to the property.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of this inspection, two young people have returned to the property and it is anticipated that another two will return within a matter of days. While the ground floor of the property still requires extensive repair, work has taken place in the two upper floors to relocate the home’s kitchen, living room and office accommodation. Fortunately, young people’s bedrooms were unaffected by flooding. They all remain in good order and reflect the personal and individual tastes of each young person. Despite the unavailability of the ground floor at this time, staff have created a homely and welcoming environment for young people to return to.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During this period, continuity has been maintained in monitoring the home’s operation and activities. The independent person has kept an overview of progress towards the re-opening this home and has continued to regularly scrutinise young people’s progress while in the temporary registered accommodation. The provider has demonstrated transparency throughout, ensuring that Ofsted has been kept fully informed and updated as required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last full inspection of this home in November 2015, one requirement was made; this has since been addressed. The Registered Manager has received regular supervision and consultation that effectively supports his ongoing professional development. Good arrangements now exist to ensure that all staff are formally supervised on a regular and frequent basis.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No further requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 5 children of the same gender  It is owned and operated by a private company  It is registered to care for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (EBD)

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/03/2015 CH - 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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