Children's Home run by Your Chapter Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection. This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . Young people who live in the home make exceptional progress and positive changes to their lives. Staff provide consistently outstanding support and nurture to young people, and in turn this builds positive attachments. These attachments increase young people’s self-esteem and resilience. Staff listen to young people and make every attempt to plan care around young people’s views. Young people are clear about the expectations that are placed upon them, and respect and understand the boundaries that are in place. A social work said, ‘He was very isolated prior to moving into the home. It is excellent to see him integrating and socialising with the other boys. This can only raise his feeling of self-worth and

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

increase his levels of self-esteem.’ Young people’s health needs are exceptionally well catered for. An example includes enrolling and supporting a young person through a smoking cessation course. The young person has gone from smoking 20 cigarettes a day to two a day. This level of support and encouragement means that young people are steered in the right direction towards a healthier lifestyle. Young people work hard to improve their attendance in education. Staff are successful in engaging young people in their bespoke educational plans. All young people are now attending education, which is a significant achievement for them all. A young person said, ‘I was very pleased that I can continue to access my own education via e-learning as I need to keep on track for my future.’ Another young person said, ‘I have just sat my maths GCSE and I think I will get a C pass. I used to struggle, but to be honest I thought that I did well.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

While there are no young people at particular risk of child sexual exploitation, staff are trained to recognise signs and maintain a sceptical outlook. Training has given staff the confidence to remain vigilant and work preventatively. Young people do not go missing from the home. However, each young person has an identified plan to be used should the need arise. The plan is regularly reviewed and is in line with local police and protection professionals’ protocols. A strong emphasis to safeguard young people who live here runs through the home. Exceptional collaboration with young people, their families, the police and social care agencies takes place frequently and protects young people from harm. Staff are highly skilled and swift to recognise and report any potential risk, for example radicalisation. Staff provide guidance to young people about risk and how to keep safe. An excellent example of this includes an officer from the local police

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

‘Prevent’ team who attended the young people’s meeting and shared information regarding the dangers of radicalisation. Staff have a calming influence when young people become anxious or struggle to manage their behaviour. Behaviour management plans have useful de-escalation strategies that support young people. Young people agree to the consequences given, which are all around minor issues. Consequences are proportionate and not a punitive punishment. A young person said, ‘Yes, they are fair, what I get as a consequence the others would get the same thing if they misbehaved, so I guess that’s fair.’ The registered manager maintains effective monitoring systems to ensure that young people receive good-quality care. Complaints from young people are dealt with swiftly and proficiently by the manager. An example includes a young person complaining of the ‘bad language’ used by another young person. The manager ensured that she responded to all

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

young people in a sensitive way, which satisfied all young people involved. A young person commented, ‘I made a complaint and she took it seriously. I am happy that she did something so quickly.’ The staff team respects the manager and the team functions well under her leadership. The manager’s child-centred value base and ethos effectively underpins the way in which the staff team members work. The young people and their well- being are central to the care provided. Young people feel well cared for and the staff team members all know them very well. This enables staff to respond to young people’s individual needs effectively. A young person said, ‘They are awesome. They care. That’s all we need.’ Admissions to the home continue to be well organised and a high level of consideration is given to the appropriate mix of young people. Risk assessments and pre-placement meetings show that admission decisions are carefully

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

considered. This includes both the current young person and the new young person. This demonstrates that compatibility and individual needs are considered of high importance. Young people live in a very comfortable and well-furnished home. They receive high levels of nurturing from the adults who care for them. This is clearly reflected in the decor and welcoming atmosphere achieved within the home.

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Information about this children's home

The home is privately owned and provides care and accommodation for five young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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

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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