Children's home SC034627

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

Since the last inspection, the interim manager has registered with Ofsted. The Registered Manager has addressed the requirements and recommendation raised at the last inspection. Good management oversight has resulted in the revision of policies and procedures in line with regulations. This has led to improved safeguarding procedures and practices. Young people do not go missing from this home however, the improved missing from home policy offers a co-ordinated response to ensure should a young person go missing they are quickly located and returned. The home’s statement of purpose provides good information on its aims and objectives for the care provided to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has made significant improvements to the internal monitoring of the home that promote best practice to improve the quality of care provided. When young people have been involved in any incidents of physical assault, systems are in place to immediately inform parents/carers. Internal monitoring considers actions required to support change to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager uses feedback from parents and relevant professionals to inform and address areas for improvement. This has resulted in creating an open door and welcoming environment for parents. Having identified private space and time enables parents to address changes/concerns for young people. This demonstrates the managers continuing commitment to further improvements in providing a quality service for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The development of a workforce plan has enabled the manager to make positive changes within the staff team. Senior staff are more engaged with young people and provide on-the-floor training and role modelling for less experienced staff. A member of staff said, ‘The team has a more professional feel, we now have fundamental systems in place, particularly around safeguarding. I feel positive about the changes the manager is making.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to gain much and enjoy positive experiences during their short break because they are able to develop safe, nurturing and caring relationships with an enthusiastic, confident and committed staff team. A parent commented, ‘Due to the hard work of the staff team, in helping our son to manage his behaviour, for the first time we were able to take him on a summer holiday.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care and behaviour support planning has always been a key strength of this service. Managers strive for continuing improvements, resulting in a significant reduction in challenging behaviours for some young people. Staff manage behaviour positively with no use of physical intervention. They work in partnership with parents and educational colleagues to ensure consistency in behaviour management, which ensures that young people feel safe and secure. This results in happy and relaxed young people who make positive progress during their stay.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff recognise the particular vulnerability of young people with disabilities to abuse. Management investment in bespoke safeguarding training specifically targeted to meet the needs of young people using the service has meant that staff better understand the risks posed and how they can best protect young people. Training of the risks to young women of female genital mutilation is in place, with staff understanding the signs and symptom and procedures to follow. They are trained in and understand the prevent agenda and are aware of the local authority advice on this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Preparation for young people transitioning from the home continues to be a key area of improvement for managers. They have sought to strengthen their relationships with adult services and advocate strongly for a careful and considerate planned transition for those young people approaching the age of 18. This has resulted in some young people remaining at the service until a placement has been identified that meets their needs. The service now has a co-ordinated approach, working in conjunction with families and professionals ensuring young people are better prepared for this change.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Refurbishment of the home is currently in progress. The cutting down of trees to the front of the building has made a more welcoming entrance. Managers and staff are enthusiastic about these changes and are committed to providing a homely environment, where young people’s personalities and interests are reflected and parents feel welcomed and invested in.

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Information about this children's home

This is a respite care home owned and managed by the local authority. The home provides respite care for no more than seven young people with learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/02/2015 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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