Children's Home run by Hopedale Children and Family Services Limited in Staffordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding 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 to make exceptional progress in all areas of their development including, engagement in school and therapy, social development, emotional and physical well-being. One young person has made such significant progress in his ability to manage is emotions and behaviour that he is due to go to France this year for a holiday which, staff say, would have been ‘unimaginable when he came here’. Another young person is making good progress with a deeply personal issue. He and is now able to be more open with staff about it, thereby supporting his emotional well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy a warm and welcoming environment and trusting relationships with dedicated staff. They enjoy cuddles and banter with staff. Staff have decorated the colourful living areas with young people’s artwork and photographs and young people personalise their rooms. They have fun playing football and using the trampoline in the spacious grounds in good weather. Over the holidays, young people made videos of themselves playing ‘monsters’ and ‘cops and robbers’ in the grounds, much to the amusement and delight of the staff and other young people. Staff skilfully engage with young people to provide them with emotional and security, whilst always being vigilant for changes in mood and behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff enable young people to engage in the community, making local friends who can visit them at the home and joining sports clubs. Sensitive staff encourage individual choice, enabling young people to communicate their views wishes and feelings. There have been no complaints from young people or staff since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management and has many years’ experience of working with children and young people in residential care and education. She reviews and adapts the service on an ongoing basis and is open to learning from experiences. Since the last inspection, two young people have left the home to live in foster care. Despite staff offering valuable informal support to the foster placements in order to help them settle, both young people have chosen to return. They say this to be their home. The registered manager considers that the service can improve its provision for young people who are due to move on, either to foster placements or independence. She has enthusiastically instigated a new project, to offer young people opportunities to become more independent and adapt their relationships with staff. She has discussed this with social workers who consider it a good idea.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One part of the home is being prepared for these young people, who do not need intensive support and will have their own kitchenette. The registered manager is identifying the most appropriate staff to care for them, based on experience and skills. She realistically recognises that this will be challenging to the service and that it will have implications for staff training and practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive relevant and up to date training and consider that this enables them to fulfil their roles effectively. The registered manager ensures that staff receive regular supervision which both challenges and supports them. Staff speak very positively about all of the managers and of each other. There is a clear whistle blowing policy and staff say they can confidently highlight any concerns or challenge the registered manager if necessary. They are enthusiastic, committed, and present as being highly knowledgeable and reflective in their work with young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Highly trained staff use physical interventions when they have exhausted all alternatives, and only in order to safeguard young people and staff. Young people say they are confident that the staff undertake restraints safely. Physical interventions have reduced since the last inspection due to staff improving their skills and learning more about the individual young people. Staff work in conjunction with paediatricians and therapists to address personal issues for young people, which might trigger challenging behaviour. They record incidents clearly and young people are involved in discussing how they can improve their behaviour. Staff regularly review and update risk assessments and behaviour management plans and when young people are admitted the staff undertake thorough and effective impact assessments. Young people feel safe and staff work with them to help them to understand how to keep themselves safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This privately-owned children’s home provides care for up to fifteen children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home has its own school, which is registered with the Department for Education. The school is on site and all of the young people attend.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/03/2015 CH - Interim Improved 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

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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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