Setting in North Norfolk

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Adequate 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 Registered Manager has successfully addressed three of the three requirements and three of the five recommendations from the previous inspection. One requirement and two recommendations have been addressed in part. There are some clear improvements since the previous inspection and some new shortfalls have been identified during this inspection. Overall the home has sustained its effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are given opportunities to have their views recorded following the imposition of sanctions. The Registered Manager monitors records so that if they do not show young people’s comments, she can remind staff of the need for this. She also discusses sanctions with young people so that they can understand why their behaviour is not acceptable and they can be involved in coming up with effective ways to address it. Young people speak about an effective system of behaviour management, which includes recognition of positive behaviour. A social worker said that the staff understood the young person’s behaviour and were not blaming of them. There is a low level of restraint in the home, but records of restraints do not show that young people are always spoken to about the restraint. The Registered Manager believes this is done, but not recorded. It is important that young people have opportunities for these discussions so that they can

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

understand the reasons for the restraints and can work with staff to reduce the need for them. One record of restraint was not written sufficiently clearly to provide a consistent reason for the need for the measure.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have opportunities to take part in a range of activities. Staff are in the process of arranging a paintballing session requested by the young people. Staff work to maintain effective links with the education provisions which young people attend. All young people are taking part in education and some are doing very well. They also do well in their preparation for independence, including learning to drive. The links that staff have with schools help to ensure that any difficulties with the education can be addressed and that the schools and the home can work together to support young people. There is an admissions policy which has been reviewed and provides clear information for staff on how to support young people when they move into the home. Young people and social workers confirmed that young people are helped to settle into the home, even if they are placed in an emergency. This helps to make

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the move less stressful and ensure that the placements are successful. Staff keep in touch with young people after they have moved on from the home, helping them to cope with the move and to maintain important relationships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are risk assessments for young people, but they are not sufficiently individualised and so not as clear as they could be. However, staff do have a sound knowledge of the individual young people and measures to reduce risk are reviewed. The assessments of whether a young person should move into the home do not contain information on the needs of the young people already in the home. The Registered Manager says she is mindful of this when deciding on referrals, but lack of recording of this makes it difficult to monitor how decisions are made. A social worker said that the Registered Manager got the placement assessment for their young person right.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people speak very positively about the home. They feel well cared for and safe. They trust staff to keep them safe. Some describe it as the best place they have lived in. Families also say the home is good and staff are friendly and helpful.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager does not have a system to understand the impact that the practice in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each young person. She is monitoring some areas well, but had not identified some of the shortfalls identified in this report. The system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care does not allow for the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff to be considered. This can limit the effectiveness of the system and the measures taken to improve the quality of care.

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Information about this children's home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to eight young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a large registered charity. There is an independent school on site which is registered with Ofsted

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

29/08/2014 CH - Interim Sustained 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

The registered person must ensure that within 5 days of the use of a restraint, 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)(c) 31/07/2015

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to written risk assessments, the registered provider must:

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Requirement Due date

(i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. 31/07/2015

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered provider must:

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Requirement Due date

(f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 31/08/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure the system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provides for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. Regulation 45 (5) 31/08/2015

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Requirement Due date

{an asterisk is added in the table above where Compliance = 'Y'} * These requirements are subject to statutory requirement notice.

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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 the home only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded in the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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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