Children's home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire Dales

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

Significant improvements to the quality of care have been made since the last inspection. This is because of the continual commitment of staff to improve young people’s life opportunities; they have high aspirations for all young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager, ably assisted by his management team, has provided opportunities for young people and the staff team to develop a shared vision for the development of the home. He has an exceptional management style which is confirmed by young people, staff and a range of professionals. Young people told the inspector that the registered manager is always available for them and acts quickly on any concerns they may have. A young person said that he ‘is the best manager they have ever had.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are happy and settled and they receive an excellent standard of care and support. They see it ‘as their home’. They feel safe and have excellent trusting and respectful relationships with staff. A range of professionals confirm this. A social worker commented that: ‘Relationships with young people are excellent; it feels like there is good bonding between staff and with young people.’ All young people make good progress during their time at the home, based on their individualised needs and given their starting points.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who have lived at the home for some time learn how to keep themselves safe and are able to take assessed risks in a safe and supportive environment. Young people’s engagement in risk-taking behaviours, including criminal activities and going missing, reduce considerably. Staff also work collaboratively with a range of professionals to implement strategies to keep young people safe who are at risk of sexual exploitation. Staff are proactive in instigating multi-agency strategy meetings when needed. New safe care plans (risk assessments) have been introduced which give clear and concise details of risks identified and actions to take to reduce risks. Key work sessions also focus on keeping young people safe, giving both practical and emotional support. This helps to reduce the risk of harm. The registered manager received the following comment from a police officer who was involved in dealing with an incident, ‘I have

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to say that the support your staff provided was a breath of fresh air to say the least and I was encouraged by the experience.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team have reorganised the system for recording incidents when young people go missing. This makes it easier to monitor incidents and to ensure return interviews are undertaken. An independent person carries out return interviews for young people who go missing. Copies of records of these interviews are now kept. These actions have addressed the recommendation made at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s confidence and self-esteem improves and they are proud of what they have achieved. Their achievements are recognised and celebrated. Young people now have memory books, which include photographs and other important mementoes that they will be able to take with them when they move on. Some young people demonstrated their confidence by speaking with the inspector for the first time, even though the inspector has met them before.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people are excelling in their education and training provisions. As a result they now have very good prospects and clear aspirations for the future. A young person received an award for ‘The most improved student 2014 – 2015.’ Staff give them both practical and emotional support in managing challenges they sometimes face with pursing their education and training. This helps to build up their emotional resilience.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work tirelessly with those young people who struggle to engage in education and training. Staff provide encouragement to them and work with a range of professionals to try and find them the right courses. Staff do not give up on young people. One young person prior to moving into the home had not been in education for two years. He is now receiving and engaging in education which meets his needs; he attends a main stream school, as well as receiving support from a creative mentor from the virtual school team. He is now on track to achieve his GCSEs. His social worker confirmed that staff have supported him extremely well and made the following comments about staff: ‘They are gentle and understanding about the young person’s lack of confidence in school. They build his confidence in the areas he is good at.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s independence skills increase. They learn about healthy living and to take responsibility for managing their own health needs. A number of young people now manage their own medication and are able to make and attend medical appointments on their own. One young person explained to the inspector decisions they had made about their health; they presented as knowledgeable and mature.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection a gym has been created in the home. This is as a result of consultation with young people, who now use the gym regularly and enjoy their experiences. This also helps young people to keep healthy and demonstrates that staff really do listen to young people. A number of young people are on independence programmes where they receive a weekly food budget and they are responsible for shopping and cooking their meals. Improvements to the kitchenette made since the last inspection mean that young people can cook in a domestic style kitchen.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are truly committed to enabling young people to have opportunities and experiences that young people who are not in care have. For example, one young person has passed their driving test and now has a car. The young person worked during the college holidays and saved their wages which has enabled them to buy a car. The young person is very proud of their achievements and told the inspector that when they moved into the home some years ago, they never thought they’d be able to do this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A range of improvements have been made since the last inspection. The home has been decorated, in consultation with young people, resulting in a much more comfortable and less institutional environment. Young people took key roles in improving the gardens during the summer months which they really enjoyed, while at the same time increasing their skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff supervision sessions are much improved. Staff are given tasks to prepare for their individual sessions which includes work regarding young people’s care, the quality standards and relevant documents relating to the running of the home, such as the statement of purpose. These changes make the quality assurance and monitoring systems more robust, ensuring young people receive care based on their current needs. They are also instrumental in assessing staff’s knowledge and developmental needs.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children’s home which provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home’s Statement of Purpose indicates that the age range will be between 11 and 18 years of age

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/01/2015 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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