Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

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

Three requirements were made after the last inspection. At the time of this inspection two requirements were met. One requirement was still within timescale and the acting manager was making good progress towards meeting it.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the full inspection the Registered Manager has left the home. An acting manager has been appointed while the Registered Manager post is being advertised and recruited to.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who are settled at the home continue to make significant progress. Since the last inspection a new young person has also been supported to successfully move into the home. He has settled quickly and is building up positive relationships with staff. Young people develop and gain confidence from living in a very welcoming and stable environment. They enjoy spending time with staff who successfully help them to establish and maintain normal patterns of day-to-day life.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s historical high risk behaviours reduce and they develop alternative coping strategies. For example, talking through their feelings with staff during periods of crisis. Young people make better choices with regard to their emotional well-being and personal safety. Staff make good use of reflective practice to consider the affects their actions can have on incidents and situations. They have good insight into young people’s emotions and behaviours and what helps them in stressful situations. For example, one young person using his x-box as a tool to manage his anxieties and regulate his behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of the relationships between staff and young people are very positive and nurturing. Staff have created a safe environment where young people can learn from their mistakes, make changes and grow. Young people's independence increases and they learn new social and life skills. They have positive opportunities to develop friendships, new interests and hobbies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When young people make poor choices or decisions that put them at risk then correct safeguarding procedures are followed. These involve partnership agencies when appropriate. Young people are supported and where appropriate challenged. Further work then takes place around protective behaviours, safety and well-being. Staff observe and monitor young people’s interactions with each other and their peers. They are alert to the impact of bullying behaviour and the acting manager ensures action is quickly taken to intervene, challenge and respond.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Discussions take place to support young people to develop their social skills. Key worker sessions help young people understand their emotions, the impact of their behaviours on others and future alternative actions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is managed efficiently and successfully. There are well established relationships with partner agencies. The acting manager and staff team are proactive at providing robust challenge where the needs of young people are not being met. For example, chasing education placements. Since the full inspection the registered manager has left and there are some staff vacancies. These are currently being covered by staff working additional hours or staff from other homes. The acting manager is clear that this is a temporary measure and posts are in the process of being recruited to. The acting manager has a good understanding of the strengths of the service and the areas that require further development. She uses internal and external quality assurance systems to monitor and improve practice and outcomes for young people.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority operated home. It provides care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 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

45: Review of quality of care In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating – (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. (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’). (4)The registered person must – (a) supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report

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Requirement Due date

with 28 days of the date on which the quality care review is completed. (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)) 01/04/2016

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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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