Children's home run by Quantum Care UK Limited in North Northamptonshire

children and young people since the most recent interim inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent interim inspection

Since the last interim inspection in March 2016, the one recommendation made, asking the registered manager to ensure that significant information is shared with other stakeholders, has been addressed. Records evidence that significant incidents are shared promptly with relevant agencies. Additionally, it is clear that the registered manager advocates strongly on behalf of the young people in her care so that plans are adhered to, and changes to arrangements for the young people are managed with minimal impact. For example, the home provides members of staff to support young people in contact visits. This ensures that there is consistency and that agreements are adhered to, so that the young people are able to manage their anxieties and concerns. The staff consistency and practice in dealing with such issues also enables the young people to build trust in the adults caring for them.

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children and young people since the most recent interim inspection

As a result of the stability provided by the staff team, young people continue to benefit to a significant degree. ‘He is completely different now, he is happy and stable,’ is a comment made by a social worker.

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children and young people since the most recent interim inspection

Attendance for young people at their schools is 100%. This is remarkable, especially when bearing in mind the young people’s starting points and their disrupted education histories. In one case, the support and nurturing provided to a young person has enabled him to start a placement at a local mainstream school. Prior to his admission to the home, he had been refusing to attend school or engage in education. ‘I am absolutely grateful to the staff,’ said the young person’s social worker when discussing his progress in education and the development of his emotional resilience. One young person has received an ‘Exceptional People in Care Award’ from his placing authority in recognition of his excellent progress while living at this home.

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children and young people since the most recent interim inspection

The registered manager has used positive relationships with local police officers to educate and advise young people about the potential consequences of their behaviours. Reflective, restorative practice involving police officers has enabled young people to consider their actions and to acknowledge their responsibilities without the need for criminalisation. One young person said that ‘they got the police to speak to me, it was really useful. Sometimes I can be a pain but the manager is really helping me.’ As a result, young people develop positive coping skills and strategies and gain in self-esteem and confidence.

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children and young people since the most recent interim inspection

Young people report that the rules are fair and that they feel safe living in the home. Incidents of restraint are suitably recorded and the young people’s views and opinions are sought after each episode. If any concerns are noted, they are passed on to the relevant agencies so that they can be investigated if necessary. This ensures transparent practice and accountability, and underpins the collaborative approach in working with other agencies, such as safeguarding teams and placing social workers.

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children and young people since the most recent interim inspection

There have been no formal complaints made by young people since the last inspection. They know how to complain and all have access to an independent advocate who visits the home. Young people were seen to be confident in expressing their views and as keen to seek out the company of the staff caring for them. The quality of the relationships and levels of trust enables early resolution of dissatisfaction at a low level and on an informal basis.

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children and young people since the most recent interim inspection

Members of staff report that the kitchen door is routinely locked after the young people have had supper and then unlocked after they have gone to bed. This practice restricts the movement of the young people around the home for a short period of time. A recommendation is made for the registered manager to review this practice and to record when it is imposed as well as the grounds for the decision as it is, in effect, a physical restraint of movement. The young people have not complained of this practice and have not challenged it. However, the practice is in need of exploration and justification.

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Information about this children’s home

The setting is registered to offer five placements for young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a private organisation. The organisation also manages a registered school nearby.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

7 March 2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

20 February 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all members of staff understand that restraint also involves restricting a child’s liberty. Restrictions such as these, and all other restrictions of liberty of movement, should be recorded as restraint. This is with particular reference to reviewing the practice of locking the kitchen after supper. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 47, paragraph 9.42)

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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 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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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