Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today 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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is in charge of two children’s homes that are located in the same area. She and her deputy ensure that staff sustain a good standard of care. The last inspection identified four requirements and three recommendations. In particular, the statement of purpose now gives readers a clearer definition of young people’s rights and more accurately reflects the service provided to them. Young people also benefit from improved attention to the methods used to train them for independence. The other personalised sessions that young people have with staff are also coordinated more effectively. This means that young people learn important skills in detail, and there is less likelihood of staff overlooking important topics. The manager has recently ensured that staff have an up-to-date knowledge of their legal responsibilities by providing training about radicalisation and female genital mutilation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The three young people are all over 15 years of age and have been here since before the last inspection. They benefit from a consistent staff team that knows them well. There is a pleasant atmosphere in the home, and it is apparent that staff and young people get on well nearly all the time. Staff rarely undertake physical interventions. Young people raise no concerns about the home and appreciate the emphasis that staff place on encouraging them and praising their achievements. Staff themselves profit from a thorough training programme, which now includes a course for aspiring managers. They are pleased to have colleagues who work consistently. The manager holds staff to account for any shortfalls and ensures, for example, that they complete records well. These high expectations are an important contribution towards the provision of a reliable quality of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the young people show clear progress in some areas, such as their engagement with staff, being happier in the home, and mastering the necessary independence skills. For some, however, recent collaboration in criminal activities in the community has compromised their plans. This is very disappointing for everyone and jeopardises the opportunities that young people had created for themselves in employment and education. Staff work hard with other agencies to ameliorate the impact of such behaviours and to prevent repetitions. For example, staff and the police now follow a tighter procedure when certain young people go missing. However, senior staff do not always notify Ofsted about serious incidents as required. This compromises the ability of the regulator to monitor such issues. It is to the credit of one young person that he is not involved in the recent problems.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered for up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is located in an urban area and operated by a large provider of children’s services.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI without delay if an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. This is with regard to a recent car crime (Regulation 40(4)(b)). 23/05/2016

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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 that 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 whom 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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