Children's home run by Wessex College Limited in Dorset

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

Since the previous inspection a new manager has been appointed and she commenced working on 18 January 2016. The new manager is very experienced and suitably qualified having been a registered manager with Ofsted in other settings. In the two months that the manager has been in post, she has made significant changes to improve the administration and systems in the home. This has led to a more effective working environment for the staff with an overhaul of the office and recording keeping.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Prior to the new manager in post, a serious incident of a fire occurred in the house, causing significant damage to the upstairs of the home. As a result of the action taken by staff, young people safely evacuated and were protected from harm. Some young people required temporary accommodation while the house was restored with replacement carpets and redecoration. This traumatic event was managed extremely well by senior managers within the organisation. They acted swiftly, and with sensitivity, ensuring that emotional and practical support were available to young people and staff. The home was restored quickly enabling young people to return after five days. Leaders and managers demonstrated that they have good quality crisis management plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people new to the home are welcomed with cards and a special cake. The distress of coming into residential care is alleviated by the warmth of the manager and staff, eager to make young people’s placement here a positive experience. After having anxieties about what to expect about residential care a young person says it is not as she thought and she, and her family, are reassured that, ‘it’s alright’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As young people prepare to leave the home, the staff support them to ensure that such a transition is planned. Consultation with young people is a strength of this home, enabling them to participate with decision making about the home, their care and their future plans. A young person has taken part in wider participation by being on an interview panel for the recruitment of independent reviewing officers for a local authority. Young people are proud of such involvement and empowered to know that their opinions are valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are making progress at this home. All are engaged with education and attendance has increased over the last two months. Young people are supported to consider what they would like to do as a career. They are successful in their applications for college and in undertaking work experience. There is a positive engagement with activities, young people enjoy horse riding, army cadets, exercise classes and visiting local attractions and events. After initial reluctance, some young people are now engaging with specialist resources to support them with their emotional and health needs, including help to stop smoking.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and their role to protect young people. They understand the risks associated with going missing, child sexual exploitation and e-safety. Risk assessment documents are thorough in identifying likely risks and how they can be reduced or eliminated. Impact risk assessments assist with the decision of any new young people coming to this home. Regular review of these documents ensure that they are relevant and up to date. Three incidents have occurred where young people have been reported as missing to the police. Close partnership working with family members, social workers and the police ensured their prompt and safe return.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Anti-social behaviour such as smashing crockery in the home, throwing food and smoking has resulted in a sanction of loss of pocket money and loss of any transport to meet friends. These measures have been ineffective and not always restorative. The new manager promotes consequences that are prompt and relative such as tidying up any mess made. As a result, incidents of disruptive behaviour have reduced as there were 10 sanctions in January falling to 2 in February and 2 in March. Young people are responding well to incentives and positive rewards. To maintain a pleasant home, young people are actively involved in choosing new furniture, decoration and helping to put together flat pack furniture.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager is providing effective leadership to the staff team. She is providing clear boundaries for young people and ensuring that staff adhere to these through working alongside staff and modelling strategies for behaviour management. Young people are responding well to the structure and boundaries and report that they like the new manager and the changes she has made. A young person reported that the new manager has made the home, ’twice as nice as it was’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a good response to meet the one requirement and two recommendations made at the last inspection. One recommendation from this visit is in relation to effective sanctions.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people of either sex, with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is one of four children’s homes operated by a private organisation. The organisation provides an independent school where young people from this home can attend.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/11/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendation(s):

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. In some cases it will be important for children to make reparation in some form to anyone hurt by their behaviour and the staff in the home should be skilled to support the child to understand this and carry it out. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46 paragraph 9.38)

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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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