Children's home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Cannock Chase

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to receive a good standard of care; they are happy and settled at the home and their safety continues to improve. The registered manager and her team remain committed to improving their lives and are skilled at protecting young people from the risk of harm and abuse. A social worker made the following comments about the commitment of staff, ‘I have been very impressed with all the staff, their level of commitment. Communication from staff and manager has been very good.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection a requirement was made to ensure that there were sufficient staff to meet the needs of young people. This also related to the registered manager working regular shifts to cover staff shortages which prevented her from carrying out some of her managerial duties. New staff have been employed which means that the registered manager is no longer working regular shifts. It also means less reliance on the use of agency staff which provides greater consistency for young people. The registered provider is also currently recruiting more staff including relief staff to reduce the need to use agency staff and with a view to increasing staffing levels. A recruitment day is planned for the beginning of April. These actions have addressed the requirement made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recruitment of some new staff has freed up the registered manager to carry out her managerial tasks. She is an effective manager, monitoring records and staff practice and notifying Ofsted of significant events as required. She has continued to advocate on behalf of young people, challenging barriers to their progress and working collaboratively with key agencies. There have been a number of safeguarding notifications recently and the registered manager has dealt with these promptly, working with relevant partner agencies and notifying Ofsted in a timely manner. This helps to protect young people from the risk of harm and abuse. It also means that the requirement made at the last inspection has been addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people have been admitted since the full inspection. Admission procedures are good as they are based on individualised needs. The registered manager obtains appropriate and sufficient information to assess if staff can meet the young person’s needs. She also carries out detailed impact risk assessments to ensure the compatibility of the new young person and the existing group. Staff visit the young person in their placement as part of the admission procedure, wherever possible. Young people visit the home to meet the other young people and staff. This planning and preparation helps to ensure a smooth transition for what can be a difficult time for young people. Meetings are also held with the local police prior to the admission of new young people which helps to provide greater safeguards for them. This positive and collaborative working is good practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good progress given their starting points. They settle quickly in the home and their safety improves within a relatively short space of time. This is because safeguarding them, remains top priority. Staff implement clear boundaries and they are good at quickly establishing nurturing and trusting relationships with young people. Staff do not criticise or judge them and young people’s self-esteem and confidence improves. The incidents of young people going missing reduce significantly. Those young people who have been at risk and/or are subject to sexual exploitation become safer and they learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff have been proactive in identifying courses about keeping safe for young people to attend. Some young people have engaged really well. Staff have also applied for funding to enable young people to access other relevant courses. Young people also benefit from regular key work sessions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provision of staff training is also evidence of the commitment to keeping young people safe. They receive a range of safeguarding training based on individualised needs and current issues and trends. For example, since the last inspection staff have received training on radicalisation and from this, a member of staff has just produced a leaflet for young people on radicalisation. They have also received self-harm and suicide awareness training and ligature training is planned for the beginning of April.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s progress is also evident as some of them now have free time. Staff regularly review this in consultation with social workers. One young person has been able to stay at a friend’s overnight; this was discussed with their pacing authority and appropriately risk assessed. This helps young people to build up their self-confidence, as well as, gain independence skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people also make good progress with their education and training. Some young people were reluctant to engage in education when they were first admitted but are now attending school full-time. This is significant progress and increases their life opportunities. This is because staff are good at identifying appropriate education provisions based on individualised needs and challenging barriers. They work closely with schools, the virtual school head and other education and training provisions to ensure young people can receive the education they need.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Social workers and parents confirm progress made by young people. One social worker made the following comment, ‘The young person is making better progress at the home than I first anticipated due to her difficult background.’

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home forms part of a large social care company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

29/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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