Children's Home run by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in Dudley

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to receive a strong level of care from a dedicated and skilled staff team. The home has been settled since the last inspection, with no admissions or moves from the home. All children have well written placement plans that are based on the admissions paperwork from the placing social worker giving good guidance to the staff regarding their care arrangements. Children are involved with their plans through attending reviews or their views considered within the meeting. Key working sessions and children’s meetings are completed and give children differing forums for their views to be listened to. Staff have successfully worked with health professionals to have a child’s medication reviewed. This has led to a change in medication and a notable improvement in their behaviour and ability to concentrate. All children are involved with activities that promote physical activities, including swimming lessons, a

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

school netball team and girl guides. This has developed both their health and their self-esteem. All children are improving in their academic abilities, attending education regularly. One young person receiving a postcard from their school on the day of the inspection in recognition of the effort that they had made. Another is soon to move to a mainstream school, a significant step forwards for them. Children’s contact with their families is in place from the point of their admission. Some are increasing the level visits with family members, developing relationships for possible future moves. The staff support contact visits, both at the home and visiting others. Some good work is being completed to develop independence, including increased expectations that some travel to school on their own. Monitoring systems are strong. Visits from an independent person are completed monthly and the staff team respond to issues raised swiftly. The lack of reports

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

from internal monitoring was raised as a recommendation at the last inspection. These are now up to date and include an examination of what has gone well within the home as well as looking at some of the key records. Children’s safety continues to be a high priority and they are cared for by a staff team that is consistently is aware of the children’s vulnerabilities. Concerning incidents are rare and there have been no need for notifications to Ofsted. No children have been missing and no complaints have been made, although they are aware of how to raise concerns due to information around the home. Restraints and sanctions are recorded well. A decrease in the level of sanctions shows that staff are working well with the children to respond to challenging behaviours. The staff work well with differing organisations and professionals, including those involved with children’s health and education. Reports for reviews are detailed and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

communication with social workers is consistent, keeping them up to date with the progress made by children. At the last inspection, three recommendations were made to develop the care provided. These have all been responded to sufficiently. A new locality risk assessment is in place. This is brief but is due for review in the coming months to incorporate additional detail. Information regarding the Children’s Commissioner is now within both of the children’s guides. The six monthly monitoring assessments of the home have been completed and highlight the awareness that the Registered Manager has of the care of the children.

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Information about this children's home

This home is one of five local authority homes. It is registered for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and is situated within an urban area.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 CH - Interim declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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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