Children's home run by Action in Care Ltd

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement 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

Education outcomes for young people are now successfully promoted. The Registered Manager works well with individual young people and education providers to ensure regular attendance and monitor progress made. If young people do not yet have a school placement, academic progress is promoted through structured activities and personal tuition. A placing social worker confirmed the effectiveness of this strategy for one young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A location assessment now considers information relating to the local area such as crime statistics, and health and education services. This informs staff of specific information to assist in safeguarding young people outside of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff member’s professional development is now actively promoted. Courses accessed by staff members since the previous inspection include first aid, child sexual exploitation, missing from care and behaviour management. This provides staff members with a range of training to meet young people’s unique needs. Induction records now show that new staff members receive guidance on safeguarding matters within their first week. This ensures they are informed of how to deal with any child protection concerns in a timely manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A rolling programme of redecoration continues. The games room has recently been renovated. This provides a homely space for young people to relax and play together. Refurbishment plans now contain specific dates by which further improvements will be complete. This provides a clear strategy to provide good quality accommodation throughout the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Fire drills which involve young people now take place frequently. Weekly checks of the fire system occur and are recorded. This ensures this emergency alarm system remains in good working order. However, fire safety is compromised because some self-closing fire doors are wedged open. These doors would not close in case of an emergency. This negatively effects a safe means of escape from the building.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection a new Responsible Individual has commenced in role. He has worked extensively with young people who are looked-after. This relevant experience assists him in effectively supervising the home’s operation. He visits on a monthly basis and supervises the Registered Manager. Together, they review the draft improvement plan. Although a registered social worker, the Responsible Individual has not undertaken formal safeguarding training in recent years. Consequently, he is not fully up-to-date with current child protection practice and research.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The statement of purpose contains information not relevant to this children’s home. It refers to staff roles which do not exist. It is not consistently followed in relation to new admissions. For example, one young person has been in placement for over 7 days and does not yet have a full support plan and risk assessment for staff to refer to. Since the last inspection, two young people have been placed on short-term stays. The statement of purpose does not state how the needs of these young people will be met by the home. A requirement is set to ensure the home is conducted in accordance with the statement of purpose at all times.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are extremely positive about their home and feel safe. Young people said ‘the home set me on a different path in life, a positive one’ and ‘I like it here, it’s awesome’. Another commented ‘I want to be at my family home, but this is a good replacement’. Relationships between young people and staff are warm. A young person stated ‘I love all the staff. I can be open with any of the staff here’. Young people reflect on their time in the home favourably. They said ‘I am a lot calmer’ and ‘I have improved my behaviour since living here’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s experiences have improved through a focus by staff members on how each young person ‘enjoys and achieves’. Progress is documented in individual scrapbooks and folders. They contain mementos, photos, tickets and memories from events the young people have taken part in. Since the previous inspection, young people have been ice skating, visited London museums, and been on a Halloween fright night. At Christmas, young people visited a local children’s ward to give gifts to children who were in hospital over the festive period. This helps young people to think about others in the wider community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are well-prepared for when it is time for them to leave home. They engage well with life skills programmes. Key working time provides opportunity for structured sessions on topics such as sexual health and relationships. Young people successfully learn how to budget, shop, clean and travel safely. As a result, young people who move on settle quickly into more independent living.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working is effective. Placing social workers acknowledge the impact the home has on lives of young people. One stated that the staff have ‘turned an unstable child into a more stable one’. A family member commented ‘this is right place for [my child] at the moment’. Parents and carers are kept up to date with progress and achievements.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 5 children with emotional and behavioural needs. It is managed and run by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/03/2015 Interim Declined in 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

The registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose (Regulation 16(5)) 31/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

A responsible individual must have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated; with particular reference to accessing up-to-date safeguarding training. (Regulation 26(7)(b)) 31/05/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than 'institutional' impression, with particular reference to ensuring that self- closing fire doors are only kept open with a suitable device. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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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