Children's home run by Northamptonshire County Council in West Northamptonshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the 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 and young people in this home are making significant progress from their starting points, staff know their needs well and they have developed trusting and nurturing relationships with them. Children and young people report that they feel supported by staff and that they get on very well together as a group. One young person said:’ There is nothing I want to change about living here. I am helped by staff to do well in school. They make sure I see my family when I want to. I get on with everyone. Since I came to live here I feel better about things in my life.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people have comprehensive placement plans that identify their needs. Staff provide up to date information to partners such as extended family, social workers, education, police, and a range of health and specialist services. As a result they are able to contribute to the children and young people’s continuous assessment, and plans are being progressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are aspirational for the children and young people. All have appropriate education plans, training and employment arrangements in place. All have excellent or good attendance records and they are making progress, by developing their knowledge and skills. Achievements are celebrated. There is a positive and relaxed atmosphere within the home. As a result professionals and family report that children and young people are growing in confidence. One relative said: ‘We can see how much progress is being made every time we have contact. This has helped the whole family and I know that I can contact the staff for support if I need it.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are detailed health plans and children and young people are supported to make healthier diet and lifestyle choices. The home has a very clear, successful, no smoking policy which has resulted in young people stopping smoking. There are monthly consultations between staff and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health team. For some young people there has been a reduced need for prescribed medication. Staff are proactive in ensuring that arrangements are in place to address children and young people’s emotional health when this is an identified need. Consequently children and young people have improving health.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the children and young people take part in activities and pursue hobbies; these include swimming, boxing, playing football, horse riding and rock climbing. One young person undertakes voluntary work for a charity and others have part time employment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage contributions in the community and young people have undertaken a range of activities to raise funds for a number of charities. One young person has recently received an award from the council and a certificate from the Police for help given at the scene of an accident. The certificate states: ‘This is to acknowledge and honour the selfless actions ….keeping them calm, informed and reassured whilst waiting for emergency services….both fire and rescue and police commend your ability and aptitude whilst faced with this frightening situation on a busy road. ’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report that they are given the opportunity to have their say, they are responsible for the agenda at young people’s discussions that are held twice weekly. Managers and staff promote the involvement and contribution of children and young people in their care planning meetings and in decisions about the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Admissions to the home are carefully planned and staff are able to support children and young people to settle well and to have arrangements in place to prevent delay to education arrangements, or family contact.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All children and young people are learning skills that will enable them to live independently in the future. Some of the young people share a flat within the home. This enables them to develop independence skills within a supportive environment. All report that they feel more confident about looking after themselves in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive training in safeguarding and are familiar with relevant safeguarding policies and procedures. Development days and staff meetings have included reflection on safeguarding practice and learning about emerging safeguarding concerns. There are detailed behaviour and risk management plans that children and young people contribute to. There has been no missing, no incidents involving the use of physical restraint and a very small number of notifiable incidents since the last inspection. Young people’s views informed the development of the use of positive rewards rather than negative sanctions. This is working well. There are also good records of creative key work sessions with children and young people, linked to their behaviour management plans. As a result children and young people report feeling safe within this home and they are supported to keep themselves safe in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation from the previous inspection has been actioned. Clear guidance is in place in respect of staff recording practises during holidays with the children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The managers are experienced leaders of a stable staff group. They prioritise staff development. There is a lead within the staff group for family liaison to proactively promote contact arrangements, and a lead for promoting protective behaviour with the children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The managers are receptive to feedback from quality assurance by the independent visitor. There is a programme in place for a range of audits of children and management information. These include feedback from children, professionals and family members. In this way managers have identified and are addressing areas for development of staff and the service.

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Information about this children's home

The home is a local authority children’s home and provides residential placements for up to eight children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

13/02/2014 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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