Children's Home run by Footsteps a Path to Change Limited in Staffordshire

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’s progress since the last inspection has been variable with some becoming involved with situations that have compromised their welfare and do not fully ensure their safety. The majority of young people do not currently live at the home and plans regarding their futures are being examined by their placing authorities. Others have progressed well and state that they enjoy being at the home, saying that ‘I like the staff they look after me really well.’ No young people attend full time education. The majority of young people have no plans for their education to continue. One is currently involved with basic academic skills and plans are in place for this to be developed further. Some work has been completed for an external skills award, although evidence of this is patchy and does not show that their skills are consistently developed. The previous requirement relating to young people receiving education has not been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Independence training is basic and does not fully support the development of young people’s ability to live on their own. Records relating to independence training is intermittent and does not show that staff have sufficiently supported their skills. Some young people are living away from the home and placing authorities are involved with examining the appropriateness of their current arrangements. Insufficient support packages are in place to help, if these arrangements fail while they are still the responsibility of the home. This puts their welfare at risk and necessitates increased clarity regarding the responsibilities of both the placing authority and the home. Young people and staff have been involved with a range of difficult and challenging situations that have needed sharing with differing authorities since the last inspection. Notifications have kept placing authorities and Ofsted up to date with

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

these, including the action steps taken and planned for. Young people going missing have created safeguarding concerns, both for the young people and those that have been with them. Records do not clearly show the consideration that has been given with not informing child protection agencies regarding these events, and do not show that arrangements suggested by placing authorities or Police have been sufficiently challenged. This lack of challenge may put young people’s welfare at risk. One young person has moved into the home following a planned admission process. The placement plan gives staff a good awareness of their needs and how these are to be responded to. It links well to the placing authorities planning documentation ensuring that the areas highlighted by the social worker are examined and supported. They are aware of the current plan regarding staying at the home and their views were put forwards at their last review effecting areas

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

such as contact arrangements to be more in line with their wishes. Those at the home enjoy regular contact with their families. They state that contact has increased during the time that they have been at the home, ‘the staff let me be with them on my own, they’re not always on my shoulder listening in.’ Staff support the development of their relationships with their families, improving their support network for when they leave the home. The management team uses a range of monitoring systems to ensure that they have a good awareness of the home and the work completed. External monthly monitoring examines the home’s records well and includes some discussions with young people and those involved with them. Internal monitoring systems include a three monthly summary of the records and assesses the work, there is a lack of evidence to show that these have been sent to Ofsted. No complaints have been made at the home since the last inspection. Staff state

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that information regarding how to make complaints forms part of young people’s admission process. Staff use differing rewards to promote positive behaviours, with young people able to discuss things that they are working towards. Previous rewards include hair extensions, straighteners and computer equipment. The sanctions book has been updated following the recommendation made at the last inspection, now including an examination of the effectiveness of the sanction used. Behaviour management is moving more towards a restorative justice approach to increase young people’s awareness of their differing behaviours and the affect that this can have on others. The staff team works with a range of differing professionals involved with the young people. The independent psychologist linked to the home states that they staff are developing well, ‘they are learning reflective practice more and this helps them to examine issues with the young people and the team itself.’ A social worker

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

states that the admission process for the young person in the home was positive, ‘they are one of the best homes that I work with, the deputy manager keeps me up to date and I think we have a good relationship.’ Records show that the team has worked with the police and social workers in response to young people that have been missing in an attempt to find their whereabouts. Two requirements and one recommendation were made at the last inspection. Young people’s meetings now include feedback from the management team, ensuring that young people’s views are listened to and responded to. The behaviour management records now include all necessary information. Young people continue to receive insufficient education, so this requirement will be repeated.

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Information about this children's home

The home is part of a small private organisation. It offers care up to three young people primarily with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is set within a rural environment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 CH - Interim Improved 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

In order to meet the education standard the registered person must ensure that – (1) young people make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so. 31/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure that staff -

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Requirement Due date

(2) (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; (ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe; (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm 31/05/2016

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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)) 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):  Ensure staff help each child to prepare for any moves from the home, whether they are returning home, moving to another placement or adult care, or to live independently. This includes supporting the child to develop emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home's support and, where the child is moving to live independently, practical skills such as cooking, housework, budgeting and personal self-care (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 17 Paragraph 3.27)

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Recommendations

 Ensure the policy for the protection of children from abuse of neglect should be available and explained to children and their families as well as to all staff, whatever their role. The registered person must make sure that all staff are familiar with this policy and act in accordance with it, in particular how to use it to report a concern (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 44 paragraph 9.21)

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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

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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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