Children's home in Coventry

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement 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

Young people make adequate progress from their starting points. They are mostly complex and challenging young people whose behaviour deteriorates at difficult times in their lives. Staff work hard to manage and support them to move forward with their education, independence skills and managing their own behaviour. A social worker said: „They‟ve really tried hard with him. Staff have been really good. He chooses not to engage.‟ Some young people excel in their education and interests. Staff fully support young people with their education, hobbies and interests. For example, staff have bought a young person who enjoys reading, a kindle. The same young person also enjoys playing the piano so a keyboard has been purchased for him. Young people who enjoy watching football go to football matches with staff. Furthermore, young people have access to a floodlit area to play football. Young people are happy in this home. They enjoy the space it offers both indoors

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and outside in the grounds. They have good relationships with staff and their peers. A young person said: „Staff are amazing, always there if you need them.‟ A young person said to his social worker: „There is nothing not to like, it‟s like living in a castle with superstar staff.‟ Young people cited the food as something they particularly like about the home: „Food is amazing. They have some of the best cooks here.‟ The home has recently been redecorated in most communal areas and looks at lot more homely. Staff support young people to become more independent to enable them to have the necessary skills to live independently. They are assessed when they arrive at the home to see what level of independence skills they have. This enables staff to not only know what it is young people need to learn but also provide a base-line so they can see how much they have learnt since arriving in the home. Young people feel safe. Staff have a good understanding of how to keep young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people safe and manage this effectively. Young people do not report bullying as an issue. They rarely go missing from the home. Staff follow good procedures if they do go missing. Staff promote positive behaviour using incentives. Young people have a good understanding of the incentive scheme. Sanctions are given for poor behaviour. These are appropriate for the misdemeanour but they are not restorative in nature. Therefore, it is unclear whether young people are able to recognise the impact their behaviour has on themselves and others. Furthermore, the young people‟s comments section on records of sanctions are often left blank as are the sections for manager‟s comments. However the manager was able to demonstrate good insight into the issues around sanctions but it is unclear what young people‟s views are. Staff are appropriately trained in physical intervention. Staff say they use a range of de-escalation techniques such as humour or giving space. They said this

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

is dependent on the young person and what works best for them. Consequently, young people are rarely restrained by staff. Some young people do smoke and occasionally use illegal substances. Appropriate external agencies are involved to help young people reduce their intake. Furthermore, staff take appropriate action and there has been a reduction in taking illegal substances. Staff have a good understanding of how to keep young people safe while using the internet. At the previous inspection, young people were able to access adult sites on the home‟s computers. Appropriate blocks have now been enforced to prevent access to inappropriate sites. Staff work closely with external professionals. A social worker said: „Communication lines are always open. They provide a really good service.‟ Staff fully cooperate with the placing authority and implement the local authority plans for young people. Staff competently care for young people. They have access to good quality

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

training. Staff say they feel very well supported by each other and the manager. They receive regular practice-based supervision. The manager has recently gone through the registration process and is awaiting the outcome. She has completed the Certificate in Health and Social Care and Level 5 Diploma in Management. She is currently undertaking the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare. She has made positive changes to the home since taking on the role as manager in June 2015. She has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and has good plans to address the shortfalls. She has ensured that all the requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed. Complaints are managed quickly and effectively. Young people have a good understanding of the complaints procedure.

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Information about this children's home

This is one of three local authority children's homes operating in the city. The home is able to offer care to up to eight young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties who are in the care of the same local authority. Young people may stay on a planned medium- to long-term basis, according to their needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/02/2015 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

Ensure that within 48 hours of the use of the measure of control, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”) has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(c)) 30/04/2016

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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 that any sanctions used to address poor behaviour are 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. (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

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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