Children's home run by Cornerways Children’s Services Limited

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress as a result of living in the home. A social worker commented that staff support the young person they have placed well and that the young person „has expressed that this placement is her “home”.‟ All young people are engaged in educational activity, and close links with staff in the organisation‟s school ensures consistency in approach and support to improve educational outcomes. Those who are struggling to attend are supported to return to full-time education as soon as they are emotionally able. Plans are in place should young people decline to attend school, with staff encouraging them to engage in alternative constructive activity. However, this was not been effectively implemented on the day of inspection, leading to the young person being restless and acting out. Her actions were not swiftly challenged, including when it was affecting other young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff form some extremely positive relationships with young people, resulting in them making good progress emotionally and academically. Young people are positive about the home and their relationships with staff, with each identifying at least one member of staff they feel particularly close too. Young people say they feel safe in the home and their demeanour and actions demonstrates they are comfortable in staff‟s company. However, incidents of bullying were unchallenged during the inspection, as staff were not present with the group of young people although care plans implied they should have been. When explored, all staff know the ongoing concerns regarding verbal bullying between some young people and are confident they challenge it appropriately when they do hear it. Staff were unable to follow the protocol of monitoring young people during the inspection as two were otherwise engaged with a young person and one was cooking. This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

resulted in conversations not being monitored and young people having the opportunity to criticize and bully another in the group.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home responds robustly to safeguarding and child protection concerns, including liaison with relevant partner agencies. Young people who are at risk of child sexual exploitation are supported well through a multi-agency approach, which includes social workers, specialist police officers and therapists. Close monitoring and agreed independent time in set locations has helped to reduce the incidents of one young person being missing manage the risks from those likely to harm to her.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved consistency in approach to behaviour management, in particular in sanctions and rewards, has led to a greater use of restorative measures. Young people have responded well to the approach. Rewards are also now recorded with greater effect, enabling young people to see their success over time. Young people consistently share their views and evaluation of the effectiveness of measures of sanctions and rewards, There have been no complaints since the last inspection and any known issues within the group or with staff are responded to swiftly and with a restorative approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments of the environment and location are robust and a review has identified protective factors with regards to the volume of unlaminated glass within the home, which was noted as a concern at the last inspection. Additionally, information missing in one member of staff‟s employment history has been sourced and verified.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Planning prior to young people moving into the home is good. Effective impact assessments ensure new young people are less likely to have a negative impact on those already living in the home. Those who have moved in since the last inspection feel they were supported well and given the opportunity to meet the staff and young people before their placement. One young person has moved from the organisation‟s other home and is feeling much more positive in this placement. Young people who have moved on since the last inspection have benefitted from well-planned moves. One young person has moved to the organisation‟s other home which provides a more appropriate mix of young people for her. Records are clear in evaluating young people‟s progress and identifying areas of continued need. Placement and pathway planning is robust, and social workers are challenged, when appropriate, to ensure effective plans are in place. Close links

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

with emotional well-being professionals both within the organisation and externally ensure young people have access to emotional and therapeutic support guides staff in how best to meet their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has responded robustly to the shortfalls identified and has made the required changes in order to meet the requirements and recommendations set. Reports produced by the independent visitor in line with Regulation 44 are comprehensive. They identify many areas of good practice and the areas for improvement. The Registered Manager uses these in addition to their regular monitoring to evaluative the effectiveness of the service and form the development plan. Reports in respect of Regulation 45 have not been forwarded to Ofsted in the required time frames though.

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to 5 young people with emotional and/or behavioural problems.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

17/12/2013 CH - Interim Inadequate Progress

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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

In order to meet the protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and with particular reference to bullying the registered provider must ensure that staff:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(iv) manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other. 29 April 2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

(2)(d) the standard requires the registered person to:

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child.

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Requirement Due date

This is with particular regard to ensuring there are enough staff in the home to meet the needs of all young people in relation to their care plans and risk assessments. 29 April 2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (4)(a)) 29 April 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):  ensure children's home staff take every step to make sure that individual children and young people are not subject to discrimination, marginalisation or bullying from their peers by virtue of their gender, religion, ethnicity, cultural and linguistic background, sexual identity, mental health, disability or for any other reason. (The Guide to Quality Standards, page 16, paragraph 3.12)

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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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