Children's home SC044058

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

The service has continued to make a positive difference to the lives of children. They and their families are very happy with the quality of the service they receive. A parent described the service to the inspector as ‘absolutely fantastic’. She said that although her daughter was non-verbal, it was very clear that she loved her short-breaks: anything to do with this home, made her face ‘beam with joy’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to provide a safe and stimulating environment that effectively promotes children’s positive outcomes. Children receive well-planned and highly individualised care that meets their needs. They have very positive experiences and enjoy a wide range of activities. Children have good opportunities for development and learning. They have fun time, make friendships, learn new skills and achieve greater community integration. Children continue to make good progress across different aspects of their welfare and development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has continued to build on its good behaviour management practice. In line with the requirement made at the last inspection, the manager has made changes to the records of physical interventions. Records now demonstrate that staff and children are debriefed after each incident of physical intervention. Staff have used physical interventions appropriately on three occasions, since the last inspection. Staff have developed more detailed behaviour support plans for each child. These plans guide staff to consistently help children to develop better self- control and more constructive behaviours. Staff have provided extra behaviour management support to on-site teachers to enable children to receive education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding practice in the home remains effective. There have been no significant safeguarding incidents, concerns or accidents. No child went missing and no concerns regarding child sexual exploitation or radicalisation have occurred.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s written child protection and safeguarding policy is out of date. It still refers to the national minimum standards and has a limited scope. It does not cover the arrangements for safeguarding children from online risks, self-harm, suicide or radicalisation. Staff continue to receive training on a number of topics. They are highly appreciative of the manager’s leadership and the improvement agenda that she has embedded in the service. Staff continued to build on their skills and commitment to provide only the best care to children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although many elements of a workforce plan are in place, the manager has not compiled this document as yet. The current staff training offer does not include online safety or countering radicalisation. In general, staff are aware of these risks but have not received specific training in them yet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In many ways, the time since the last inspection has been the time for consolidation of good practice. Comprehensive monitoring processes are in place to ensure consistently good practice and identify areas for further improvement. The manager has recently introduced a more comprehensive and structured guidance for staff on the introduction of a child to the service and on the care planning/ review process. Recently redecorated bedrooms and corridors, newly purchased toys, games and equipment have contributed to a better environment for children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff continue to promote children’s positive outcomes through strengthening the links with the children’s parents and other professionals involved in their lives. The manager has started discussions with the independent visitor to improve the quality of the reports and the time taken for them to reach Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and the senior team are confidently leading the service forward at a pace that allows everybody to become involved and contribute fully to the home’s improvement agenda.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home provides a short break service for up to six disabled children and young people. It provides overnight, weekday and weekend care, including breaks offered on an emergency basis.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Review and update the child protection and safeguarding policy so that it includes arrangements regarding e-safety and countering risks of online grooming, self-harm, suicide and radicalisation. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 44 paragraph 9.19)  Create a workforce plan with the opportunities for staff members to receive training on on-line safety and on countering radicalisation. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 53 paragraph 10.11)

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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

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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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