Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is led by a well-qualified and experienced manager who has managed the home for several years. She continues to have a good understanding of the strengths and development needs of the home. The manager is making good progress to meet the one requirement made at the last inspection. This is still within timescales and as a result, will carry over to the next inspection. The manager monitors, reviews and evaluates the quality of care young people receive. This drives improvement in staff practice and improves outcomes for young people. She continues to develop ways to engage young people. She has introduced white boards and a post box where they can express their views, wishes and feelings. Young people’s welcome packs, and memory boxes to keep and record achievements, have also been created. She regularly consults with placing social workers and parents and has sent questionnaires to all parents to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

capture their views. Consistency within the staff team is good, and vacancy levels have reduced. This supports continuity of care for young people. Staff have a good understanding of young people’s complex needs. They receive training in specialised areas that meet the needs of those they care for. For example, specific training with regard to children on the autistic spectrum is planned for all staff. There has been one safeguarding incident involving a young person who has since left the home. This was fully investigated. Although the allegations were not substantiated, the manager put protective measures in place to safeguard all the young people in the home. The young person was supervised at all times and was not left alone with any other young people. Risk assessments were reviewed and staffing ratios increased . Young people continue to make good progress. They attend school and are achieving well. One young person who was previously on a reduced timetable at

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

school has achieved 100% attendance since the last inspection . Young people are also making excellent progress in their education. For example, one young person’s reading level has increased significantly since the last inspection in January. Another young person is making really good progress in his communication and is now starting to speak in sentences. The manager and staff work well with educational professionals identifying appropriate school placements and has effectively challenged other professionals to ensure young people’s educational needs are met. Young people are healthy and are supported well by staff to attend all routine and specialist health appointments. Staff work alongside health professionals, such as epilepsy nurses, to ensure young people’s health needs are met. The manager is proactive in bringing to the attention of social workers and health professionals any concerns she may have regarding young people’s health.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff develop positive and nurturing relationships with young people. This supports young people to develop in confidence and self-esteem. For example, one young person has recently helped in arranging an award ceremony and attended the House of Commons, as part of the local authority children in care council. Staff work in a supportive and structured way with young people to reduce negative and risk taking behaviours. Some young people have made significant progress which has resulted in a reduction in incidents and the need for physical intervention. Young people do not go missing from the home. Due to their high complex needs the majority of young people currently living in the home do not go out alone. They receive a high level of staff supervision both inside the home and when out on activities. The home environment has significantly improved. The home is in the process of being redecorated and provides a warm and comfortable living space for young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people. Bedrooms are clean and reflect young people’s personalities. Outside the gardens are laid to lawn and have play equipment for young people to enjoy. The manager is further developing the garden to increase the play equipment and create a patch for young people to grow vegetables and flowers. The home has a small pond which is not used and is overgrown. This has not been risk assessed. As a result, staff may not be fully aware of the possible hazards this may pose to young people they are caring for.

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Information about this children's home

This service provides care and accommodation for up to eight young people. It is divided into two self-contained four bedroomed homes. One provides care for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The other provides care for young people with learning disabilities and who are on the autistic spectrum. This service is operated by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/02/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating –

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Requirement Due date

(a) the quality of care provided for children; (b) the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and (c) any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. This specifically relates to the evaluation of the review.

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Requirement Due date

(3) After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (‘the quality of care review report’).

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Requirement Due date

(4)The registered person must – (a) supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report with 28 days of the date on which the quality care review is completed.

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Requirement Due date

(5) The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (2) (b) (3) (4) (5)) 31/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Ensure staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child. This relates to the small pond in the garden. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 42 paragraph 9.5)

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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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