Children's Home run by Care Focus Limited in Essex

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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All children make progress from their starting points. Many children thrive and achieve beyond expectations. One placing social worker said: ‘I am very impressed.’ Another social worker said: ‘With all of the education that my child had missed before coming to the home, we had not considered that taking exams could be possible. We are very impressed that she sat some GCSEs this year.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The regulation and quality standards raised at the full inspection are met. The registered manager works with leaders and senior managers to improve the quality of the support and supervision to enable staff to engage skilfully with the children. One social worker said: ‘They have been proactive and key-working sessions have helped to change her behaviour. A lot of work has gone into helping her.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children do not go missing. For each of the children, this represents a significant improvement in their personal safety. They learn to make better choices and, as a result, realise that they know how to keep themselves safe. Staff use physical intervention infrequently. However, when used, this is done purposefully to reduce risks within the home. Records of incidents in the home are high, but this is because the staff closely monitor the children’s activities and spend a great deal of time supporting them emotionally. They also make clear the behavioural expectations and aspirations that they have. Rewards and incentives, used to excellent effect, help the children to realise their potential. This means that children come to respond positively to the structured and nurturing approach. One child said: ‘I give this home 10 out of 10.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monthly reports and detailed education, health, and behaviour management plans help to demonstrate the work that the staff are engaged in daily. This inspection identified that, unusually, one child does not yet have a relevant placement plan from the placing local authority. While the registered manager had emailed the social worker to challenge this, the approach falls short because a more robust approach to challenge the local authority is necessary on this occasion.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring continues to help the manager to identify strengths and guide all staff to where improvements are necessary. However, the timing of the submission of the reports to HMCI results in a delay in Ofsted’s overview of the home. This shortfall has no impact for children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children know how to complain and are satisfied with the response. More than one said that they benefit from the registered manager’s approach to dealing with issues. One said: ‘I really feel listened to’, and another: ‘The manager doesn’t promise anything that he can’t make happen for us.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children recognise and are proud of their success. One child said:’ I have a plan for my future: to go to college. Being here has changed me in a good way.’

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Information about this children's home

This home is one of a small group run by an independent provider. Staff offer individualised care and support for up to four female children. Teachers provide education within the setting. Children can access direct therapeutic intervention through the provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/09/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

02/10/2014 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that the individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person submits to HMCI within 28 days of the visit a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)  The registered person must challenge (under regulation 5(c)) any placing authority who asks them to accept a child in the absence of a complete and current relevant plan.

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Recommendations

This is with specific reference to any children moved between homes in the group. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.5)

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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 ‘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 0300 123 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 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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