Children's home run by Thoughts of Others Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home was inspected in January 2016. Eight requirements were made at that time and one recommendation was raised. The registered manager has taken sufficient action to address six of the requirements. Two requirements and one recommendation have not been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has registered with Ofsted. This provides the home with stable leadership. The registered manager has revised and amended the statement of purpose. As a result, external agencies and other professionals have a clear understanding of the aims and objectives of the home. This means that placing authorities are aware of the services provided by the organisation, prior to a young person’s admission to the home. This reduces the likelihood of the placement breaking down. Nevertheless, the registered manager has not reviewed or updated the young people’s guide to the home, and this currently contains incorrect information. Although the detrimental impact of this failure is reduced because there have been no new admissions to the home, the recommendation to address this shortfall has been repeated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The complaint outstanding at the time of the last inspection, is concluded. The registered manager worked in effective partnership with the designated officer for the local authority, and other external agencies to address the concerns raised. Records of actions taken to address this complaint are comprehensive and detailed. This response promotes young people’s safety and welfare. However, Ofsted has yet to receive formal notification of this significant event as required by the regulations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make positive and sustainable progress in all areas of their development. For example, since the last inspection, one young person has moved to semi-independent accommodation within the organisation, and is making significant progress. Transitions are well planned and supported by staff. This means that young people do not experience increased anxiety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage young people to participate in a varied range of activities and social events. This enables them to try new hobbies and supports the development of their social and interpersonal skills. Young people attend the organisation’s own school. Their attendance is high and their achievements are excellent, taking account of their starting point. Young people recognise the progress they make and are proud of their achievements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between young people and staff are positive. They engage well with staff during one to one sessions, and benefit from easy access to externally commissioned therapeutic services. Young people’s risk taking behaviour continues to reduce. Staff ensure individual risk assessments are regularly reviewed and up to date. There has been no physical restraints or sanctions since the last inspection and young people are learning to take appropriate responsibility for their own actions and behaviours. This has a positive impact in their self-esteem, confidence and growing sense of maturity. Young people’s progress is now further support because staff ensure that case files contain all necessary documentation and information. This means that young people experience integrated and planned care and support that reflect their identified needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring systems are in place to review the quality of care provided by the home. The registered manager now sends internal monitoring reports to Ofsted as required. Current monitoring and reporting tools are under review. This will ensure that they evaluate the quality of care, highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the service, assess young people’s progress and include feedback from young people, their families and external agencies. As a result, the previous requirements relating to these areas of practice are met. Furthermore, reports completed by the independent visitor are now sent to Ofsted within suitable time scales.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff participate in regular team meetings to discuss young people’s progress and the development of the service. However, the registered manager has failed to ensure that staff employed in the home receive regular or practice related formal supervision. As a result, staff practice and performance is not adequately monitored to ensure that they have the skills and abilities necessary to meet young people’s needs. This potentially places young people at risk of harm. This shortfall remains outstanding from the previous inspection and is repeated at this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned operated by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory progress

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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 all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(4)(b)) 02/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; or there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (b)(c)) 02/05/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  As part of reviewing and revising where appropriate the statement of purpose (regulation 16(3)(a)), the registered person should review and update the children's guide as necessary, and make sure children are given an explanation of any changes. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 24 paragraph 4.23)

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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

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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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