Children's Home run by Woodside House Care Ltd in Blackburn with Darwen

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

Young people make excellent progress in all areas of their development. They experience and enjoy normal teenage activities equal to their peers. Young people enjoy holiday breaks in the British Isles and abroad. They attend youth groups within the local community and contribute to the children in care council. Young people are positive about their experiences in this home and say, ‘everything I have ever needed is here and I am happy’ and ‘this is my home and these (staff and young people) are my family’ and ‘everyone gets on well and we all respect and look after each other.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide highly personalised care and demonstrate sensitivity, humour and appropriate affection to the young people. This increases young people’s confidence and gives them a sense of belonging. Collectively young people say the home provides them with everything they need and really enjoy living in the home. They have no concerns or complaints and feel they are listened to and confident staff respond well to all of their needs. Positive feedback has been received from parents and professionals. A social worker says, ‘In a nutshell this is the best residential home I have ever worked with. I would not hesitate to use their services again.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The aim of the service is to create opportunities for young people to live and play together in a range of activities in a stimulating and therapeutic environment. Young people experience a safe, sensitive and nurturing care which is in contrast to their previous experiences prior to admission. The manager and staff work hard to deliver a consistent approach and this provides young people with a safe environment to live in. Young people respect each other and staff and are regularly consulted on the day-to-day operation of the home. Staff help facilitate this further by their friendly nature while being clear about expectations and boundaries.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As a result, restraint has not been used for some considerable time and sanctions imposed for inappropriate behaviour are minimal and when imposed are chosen by young people and agreed with them. Young people respond well to the messages they receive from staff. There are no concerns of young people being suspected or subjected to child sexual exploitation. Young people are not absent or missing from the home and are not involved in risk taking behaviours that could lead them to being criminalised. This is a relaxing, calm, happy and comfortable home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide a strong focus for young people to continue their education. This helps young people prepare for tests or examinations and young people’s education and participation at school is excellent. Staff assist them with homework, attend school events and parents evenings. Alongside this the manager continues to plan with placing authorities where extra support is considered beneficial for young people. Work in partnership with other professionals is strong and extra support is being requested for a young person through an education, health and care plan. These arrangements support young people to progress in their education environment and will benefit them in the future

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Support for young people’s emotional and psychological health needs is strong and has a good impact on their resilience and well-being. Young people feel valued as individuals and benefit from staff that show a keen interest in their welfare, spend time with them each day and want them to succeed. Young people enjoy good physical health, keep up to date with routine health checks and have access to specialist support. They take part in regular exercise and eat a healthy diet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are settled and enjoy the stability of living in the home for some time. Careful consideration along with impact risk assessments are carried out when referrals are made to the home. This reduces any likely impact on the current resident group or a young person being considered for accommodation. Young people who have moved on from the home continue to keep in touch with staff, who offer support and guidance to them. One young person has written a letter showing his appreciation of the time spent in the home saying, ‘This was the best experience of my life and it has turned me into a better person.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a focus on addressing the shortfalls identified at the last full inspection, with the two requirements and the four recommendations being met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Robust action has been taken to ensure all of the required information has been obtained and verified in relation to a staff member. The management have reflected and improved their systems for recruitment and listened and acted upon messages they received from Ofsted. These measures further safeguard young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management have acted in line with regulation ensuring the person who conducted monthly monitoring visits during the time of the last inspection no longer carries out these duties.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The statement of purpose document has been reviewed and provides good information about the services the home provides.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s risk assessments have been reviewed and are now individualised specific to the risks and ages of the young people. Generic risks have been removed where necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements to the records of staff supervision now show specific areas of conversation and include young people’s progress and staff development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor is now employed solely to carry out monthly monitoring visits. He has no other duties within the home. He reports on how the conduct of the home promotes young people’s well-being and how effectively young people are safeguarded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations are made at this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.  The home is a private children's home owned and managed by a family partnership

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 CH - Interim improved 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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