Children's Home run by Options Autism (5) Limited in Shropshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good 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

Two requirements and three recommendations were made at the last inspection. Both of the requirements have been met as well as two of the recommendations. Work to meet the third recommendations and develop the service’s manager’s quality assurance report is on-going.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service is continuing to make a positive difference to the lives of young people with complex needs. It provides specialist care that supports them to achieve positive outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are sensitively supported to move into the home. This process is informed by detailed assessments and effective partnership work with parents, local authorities and professionals. The management team and staff ensure care is tailored to meet each individual’s needs. For example, the environment is adapted to ensure the needs and safety of young people. One young person has successfully moved into self-contained accommodation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from clear routines and a consistency of practice from all professional staff working across the residential houses and school. Detailed plans ensure all staff implement appropriate strategies to work towards agreed aims for each young person. Because of this consistent practice young people are settled and secure and are able to learn new skills. They make continuous improvements in educational attainment through good attendance. They develop social skills through a wide range of on and off site activities. They increase their independence through developing their personal and life skills, for example self- care skills such as teeth brushing and washing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people learn skills that successfully enable them to move on into adult services. They are supported to experience positive moves by staff who know them well. Staff share in-depth knowledge with young people’s new placements and work closely with new staff teams to ensure young people experience smooth transitions. Where necessary the service has extended young people’s placements to support local authorities and to make sure adult placements are ready. Young people are kept safe from harm. The Registered Manager and senior staff team work well with partner agencies, parents and carers. There is effective communication and coordination to ensure that any concerns are dealt with effectively and in a timely manner. There are systems in place that collate reports and ensure the senior management team have a corporate overview of incidents, challenges and high risk behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager is experienced, committed and effective at continuing to progress the service. She routinely and effectively monitors the operation of the service and progress of young people. Existing quality assurance processes continue to be strengthened this ensures the Registered Manager and senior management team are well informed about the quality of care being provided to the young people.

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Information about this children's home

This setting is an independent residential special school registered as a children's home, operated by a private company. The school offers specialised education and care for up to 22 children with learning disabilities, including six children under short- break arrangements. The school has a specialism with children who are diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder and associated complex needs. Some young people stay until they have completed their education at 19.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

12/02/2014 CH - Interim Inadequate progress

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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 the review enables the registered person to identify areas of strengths and weakness in the home's care, which will be captured in the written report. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 65, paragraph 15.4)

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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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