Children's Home run by Castle Homes Limited in Bromley

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

Young people continue make positive progress in all areas of their lives. They continue to engage in education, with some young people achieving 100% attendance and progress in their educational achievements. One young person is expected to gain maximum GCSE’s with predicted A*-B grades. Young people engage in individual and group activities in the community, going roller skating, attending police cadets, horse riding and running. The staff team are particularly good at recognising the positive effect active exercise has on the emotional well- being for some young people. A young person said, ‘l enjoy going for runs with staff, they recognise when l am feeling down and know how to lift my spirits.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person recently made a successful transition from the home to a semi- independent placement. The staff team played an important role prior to the move in assisting the young person to develop the necessary skills to live independently. They provided other support, by pre-placement visits, purchasing items and preparing the young person by easing many of her fears and anxieties. The young person sees the home and staff as part of her extended family and continues to visit, to socialise, receiving support and guidance. This is a positive example of the good practice of this home in continuing to support young people who have moved on. There is well-documented evidence of young people who regularly return to the home keeping staff updated on progress and thanking them for their continual support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home have admitted two young people in the past two months who are well settled. Managers and staff have a good grasp of their individual vulnerabilities and needs. Staff recognise the needs of these young people for stability, safety, nurturing and consistency. They work hard to develop positive and trusting relationships, prior to any long-term planning. Both young people said, they felt listened to, had choice and knew the house rules. A young person said, ‘Choosing the colour of my room and being taken out to buy things for it has made this really feel like my home.’ Another young person said, ‘The good thing about this home is that the team are mixed, you have the mums and also young staff that you can do girly things with. We are just like one big happy family.’ The homes referral process includes a detailed impact risk assessment. This clearly evidenced the placing of both young people was a good fit with others living in the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home. The young people’s records are up to date and provide detailed information to inform staff of potential risks and individual needs. Individual risk assessments and community access plans are comprehensive and provide effective strategies to support young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive mandatory training in all areas such as medication, behaviour management and safeguarding. They receive training in areas specific to young people’s individual needs. For example training from a clinical psychologist on working with young people who have experience long-term sexual abuse. The psychologist also offers reflective supervision to managers and staff. This enables them to understand the impact for them in supporting these young people. This ensures that the staff team have in-depth knowledge and awareness to fully understand and support young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding of young people continues to be good. There is good communication with relevant professionals. The relationship between staff and the local community police continues to be effective. The neighbourhood police team routinely call to discuss potential concerns, speak with young people on staying safe and to meet all new residents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to provide strong leadership. They are committed to ensuring that young people receive a high level of care and is a strong advocate for their wishes and feelings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two requirements and one recommendation from the last inspection have been addressed. The introduction of a detailed impact risk assessment is evident by the positive introduction of two young people to the home. The location assessment contains information on potential risks within the locality and strategies to manage these. Staff understand the importance of this knowledge for the safety of young people. Young people play an active role in choosing individual and group activities, more reflective of their individual talents, interests and preferences

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who may be experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home has a registered school on site, which is available to children and young people not attending an external school or alternative education provision.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2015 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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