–

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 sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress; they are learning essential skills for the future. Staff support young people to self-regulate their emotions and manage risky behaviours. They encourage and guide young people to explore a variety of strategies that assist them in expressing their emotions in a constructive way. Staff provide a caring, nurturing environment and build positive relationships. Their consistent approach to behaviour management and debrief sessions with young people help them explore their feelings and emotions in a safe environment.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are engaged in education and staff support them. Young people are all making progress within their own capabilities. Staff help and encourage young people to develop skills further; each young person is exploring continued education opportunities.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work with young people to find part-time work, work experience opportunities and have assisted them to attend job interviews.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide young people with a consistent approach: they follow thorough plans, addressing need and minimising risk. This consistency enables young people to feel safe and develop personal, social and independence skills. Staff support young people to take age-appropriate risks. They fully engage young people in the development and review of plans and gain their views after incidents.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s achievements are celebrated, no matter how small. These achievements have included accessing public transport, managing a budget, completing shopping tasks, preparing meals, attending a job interview, expressing emotion in a safe manner and doing basic domestic tasks . Staff and young people maintain the garden; they grow fruit and vegetables and look after the home’s ducks and chickens.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported to manage identified health needs and seek additional support when required. Young people are learning helpful ways of managing health conditions. Staff are currently reviewing and developing systems to assess whether young people are able to self-administer medication. Any medication errors have been investigated and processes reviewed, with managers implementing changes to practice when required.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use one-to-one sessions with young people to provide invaluable education about key topics and to explore issues pertinent to that young person. Young people are encouraged to talk about concerns, challenges and aspirations. Staff and young people have explored strategies, support and options available before setting agreed targets to work towards. Topics discussed have included internet safety, guidance about relationships and safe sex, and the impact of risk-taking behaviours.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Detailed pre-admission assessments inform risk and management plans that guide staff in how to meet need and reduce risk factors. Staff take a robust approach to managing risky behaviours. Concerns are well recorded, reported and referred to others as required. Impact risk assessments also detail and consider the needs of others in the home. Staff regularly review plans, and update these as required. Staff are provided with person-specific training prior to a new admission, ensuring they are equipped to work with the new admission. Staff involve and support young people to attend and engage in reviews.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are skilled in meeting the needs of those in their care. Plans are detailed and thorough, and staff have practical strategies to support young people in minimising risk. Incidents of young people going missing are managed well with staff taking a proactive approach. They look for young people and make contact with them throughout missing episodes. Staff work with other agencies to provide a well- coordinated approach and response. Staff welcome young people back to the home and request return to care interviews. However, plans do not provide specific timescales and response required meaning staff do not have the detailed guidance necessary.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff assess and identify risks associated with child sexual exploitation, plans detail how to manage and reduce these risks. However, a more coordinated approach is required to ensure plans consider the impact of networks, known history and risks associated with child sexual exploitation.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff facilitate contact with family and friends, as agreed in the plans and risk assessments in place. Staff raise concerns with professionals and request reviews when required.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are trained in the home’s preferred method of behaviour support. Physical intervention is avoided wherever possible, with a wide range of de-escalation and distraction strategies being used. There has been no physical intervention in the home since the last inspection. Relevant incidents are recorded, and young people make comments and participate in debrief sessions. Staff review and monitor all incidents and explore patterns and trends in behaviour. Sanctions used are of a restorative nature, with young people offered reparative ways to reduce or avoid the sanction. Staff apply financial sanctions when young people have damaged property, with young people replacing damaged items.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has clear routines in place; staff and young people sit together, and share meals and activities.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints or allegations made since the last inspection.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have acted on previous recommendations set. They have developed systems for reviewing and monitoring incidents. This has enabled them to highlight patterns and trends of behaviour, thus identifying triggers and cause.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s local area assessment has been updated to reflect all known risks within the area. It provides strategies to minimise and address risk.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers apply effective systems to evaluate the quality of care provided. This assessment forms the basis of the home’s development plan. The plan identifies key areas to improve and has clear action points. Independent visits take place, providing additional scrutiny and oversight of the quality of care provided. Managers use the feedback to identify areas for change. Young people’s views are sought regarding quality of care through surveys. Staff support young people to be fully engaged in the home, and they are involved in aspects of decision making about decoration and other key issues.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have good, effective working relationships with stakeholders. They use a multi-disciplinary approach to development and review of plans. This has provided a coordinated approach to aspects of need and risk with concerns and issues swiftly identified and acted on.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Communal areas have improved. The addition of furniture and soft furnishings gives a more homely feel. Staff swiftly respond to damage in the home, maintaining the quality of the environment.

p.4

Information about this children's home

The home is registered for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and mental disorders. The home is privately owned by a small company that also owns one other home. The home is located in a rural location but it is within easy reach of local services and facilities. The aim of the home is to offer a therapeutic environment which is safe, nurturing, encouraging and supportive.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

4 November 2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person must specify the procedures to be followed and the roles and responsibilities of staff when a child is missing from care or away from the home without permission and how staff should support the child on return to the home. Specifically to ensure that plans provide clarity of what is required from staff to minimise and manage risk. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 45, paragraph 9.27’).

p.6

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’.

p.7

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 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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

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

p.8