Children's home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

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 Sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from strong, caring relationships with staff. The care they receive is delivered by a skilled and sensitive staff team who offer practical and emotional support, enabling them to thrive. Relationships in this home are based on trust, positivity and helping young people to take responsibility for their own behaviour and actions. As a result they make progress with their ability to self- regulate, make positive choices and improve their self-esteem. As one young person commented, ’staff are kind, they listen and give lots of support. I feel happy, relaxed and valued here’. All young people are in education or are actively seeking employment. Staff encourage young people to have positive and ambitious goals for their future. They proactively support young people’s education. They prioritise communication with schools. As a result, any difficulties that have previously impacted upon young

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people are resolved and their attainment promoted. They are encouraged to bring their friends to the home for tea, where the staff provide a friendly and welcoming environment. Some young people have part time jobs and others undertake voluntary work to improve their employment opportunities. Young people learn the skills needed for adulthood. They are actively involved in the upkeep of their rooms, personal laundry, budgeting and cooking. Young people are proud of their achievements and are confident about their skills. Young people benefit from living in a well- furnished and comfortable home. They are able to personalise their bedrooms and communal areas are welcoming. As one visiting professional commented ‘this is a really homely home’. There are a number of pets living at the home which enhance the young people’s experience and adds to the relaxed atmosphere in the home. Effective and carefully planned support is offered to young people. Staff regularly

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

consult with the company’s clinical psychologist to identify how best to support young people manage with their complex issues and feelings. Key worker sessions are regularly undertaken and reflect the priorities in young people’s placement plans. This ensures that they feel listened to and that their views are understood. Young people are given realistic small targets to work towards, and these feed into larger goals over time. As one independent reviewing officer commented the progress they achieve is ‘brilliant’. Young people’s contact with family members and other significant people is actively supported and promoted. Staff work effectively with family members to ensure that time with family is a safe and positive experience. As a result, young people are able to maintain positive links with significant people in their lives. The home continues to be led by an experienced registered manager. She has

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

immediately addressed the shortfall identified at the last inspection. She has ensured that services are consistently challenged where service provision is detrimentally impacting on the progress of a young person. She has a realistic understanding of the strengths and areas for development. She has strengthened her training plan to ensure staff access specialist training to address the presenting needs of young people. Internal monitoring remains strong, and concerns identified by the registered manager about the quality of external monitoring have been addressed, and an alternative independent visitor appointed. Young people say they are safe and feel safe. A strength of the home is effective behaviour management. Staff effectively identify problems early and step in to prevent escalation. Since the last inspection there have been no physical interventions or sanctions as staff consistently promote positive behaviour. As one

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

social worker observed ‘staff provide consistent boundaries and emotional warmth. They visit difficult areas in her life and give her the tools to manage these. They have helped her to become more insightful.’ There are no incidents of young people going missing. Robust procedures are in place should an incident occur. Staff are vigilant to presenting risks and have clear strategies in place to address them. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. Partnership working is strong. Staff effectively communicate with other professionals to ensure young people’s needs are proactively addressed. As one social worker commented ’I can’t speak highly enough’ about the effective communication. This partnership working helps young people address difficulties that previously impacted on their development. There are no requirements or recommendations as a result of this inspection.

p.3

children's home

This privately owned children's home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 .

p.5

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,

p.6

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

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

p.6