Children's Home run by Roundhouse Care in Staffordshire

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home was last inspected in January 2016. Since the last inspection, the manager has addressed the requirement and recommendations made. As a result of this inspection, one requirement and recommendation have been made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has taken action to improve the monitoring and surveillance of young people. Bedroom door alarms are in place, and have been isolated so that they are individual to each room.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two recommendations have been met. The manager has not taken any short- break placements since the last inspection and will no longer offer this service. This means that the home will continue to provide care in line with the statement of purpose.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has improved the way that the home records the daily events of young people. These are now more personal. This new way of recording captures their individual needs and how well staff know and understand young people. The sensitive way in which records are written allows readers to gain a full sense of what is happening for the child, as if they were there at the event. An example taken from a record says, ‘You chose a McDonalds chicken sandwich meal and a milkshake, and chose a new hairbrush suitable for my hair, which I thanked you for. You had a bath before retiring to bed. Good night, sleep tight.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The continued support and quality of care provided by skilled and knowledgeable staff means that young people with complex mental health needs and emotional needs are managed well, with a sensitive and empathetic approach. A young person new to the home said, ‘Staff are getting to know me: they take me out on a daily basis. They do help me, they play on the Xbox and talk to me. It is good here.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe and well cared for. They do not go missing from care, engage in risk-taking behaviour or require the use of physical restraint. Support for self-injurious behaviour is provided in line with behaviour management plans to support young people through extremely difficult emotional turmoil. As a result, young people feel that they can manage their own behaviour with a ‘long arm’ approach by staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to monitor and review the home. The children’s register does not hold all the required information. The statutory provision is missing. Staff have been recruited and final checks are being completed to ensure that they are safe to work with children prior to their start point. Agency staff are used to support shortfalls. However, during the inspection there were more agency staff on duty than permanent staff. One agency staff member on duty has worked for the home for a significant period of time. She knows the home, staff and young people well. This reduces the impact on young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Placement moves to and from the home have been managed well, so far as possible. One young person has moved to foster care. The staff have continued to provide advice and support to the foster family after the move. The young person has chosen to keep in touch with the staff and values their support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people arriving at the home are made to feel welcome. Young people go out of their way to write letters and make posters to ensure that they feel at home. A young person said, ‘I had a letter the first night I was here, saying I hope you like it here.’ This helps them to settle in and feel safe. Young people really understand and show empathy to others new to the home. They quickly establish positive relationships that help them to settle in. As a result, everyone forms strong bonds and friendships. This makes the home feel calm, welcoming and relaxed.

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Information about this children's home

This home is operated by a private provider, and is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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 ‘Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4 and ensure that the records are kept up to date (regulation 37(1)(a)(b) and schedule 4. 31/05/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s). Ensure that:  Ensure no more than half the staff on duty at any one time, by day or night at the home should be from an external agency (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.17).

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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 ‘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 0300 123 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, work- based 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

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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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