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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has left the home since the last inspection. This was a planned move, as a more suitable provision was identified to meet their needs. The new provision is within the same organisation and has been very successful for the young person. They already knew staff and other young people at the new provision, with frequent visits made by the young person to familiarise themselves with the home. Staff from both homes worked closely and positively to ensure a smooth transition. The young person has clearly responded well to such sensitive planning of the move and is doing exceptionally well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The current young person resident in the home was admitted as an emergency and did not have an opportunity to visit the home or meet staff and managers prior to moving in. The manager and staff were very sensitive to the situation and provided the young person with lots of reassurance. The placing authority have been very impressed with how well the young person has settled into the placement in a very short period of time. They state that he is much calmer than in previous placements and praise staff and managers for their detailed understanding of the young person’s needs and in how well they are supporting him.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person has told their local authority social worker that they are happy living in the home. Prior to moving to this placement, the young person had frequent missing from care episodes. Since moving to this home, there has only been one missing from care incident reported to the police. The placing authority report high levels of satisfaction in this significant reduction. Such a reduction is attributable to the high staffing levels, the clear and detailed risk assessments in place and close working with local police.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has a very clear ethos in relation to consideration of new referrals. He is very clear that they will only accept new admissions, if both he and the staff team feel they have the skills to be able to meet a young person’s needs. This ethos also extends to the matching of placements. The manager is very clear that he will not consider a new placement, if there are any concerns that this would not be in the best interests of any young person already resident in the home. Such a commendable approach is reflected in the ability of the staff team to provide excellent levels of care and support to young people, leading to significant improvements in their outcomes from an early stage of their placements commencing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and responsible individual have excellent monitoring systems in place. This enables them to regularly consider the progress made by young people and to have a detailed oversight of the care they receive. The manager is robust in ensuring that any missing information from a placing authority is chased and placed on young people’s files. He sets high expectations for his staff team and has very high aspirations for all young people placed at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, extensive work has been done on improving the quality of the records held on young people in the home. Files now provide a clear and detailed account of all work done to support young people. Regular case file audits are completed by staff and managers. Risk assessments and plans receive frequent consideration to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the young person. Young people read all relevant documentation and are encouraged to make comments and sign each record. This reflects how central young people are to the care and support they receive in this home. Staff and managers actively seek their views and feelings on a daily basis and respond to them. Young people understand their plans and risk assessments and respond well to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers have been extremely proactive in advocating for the young person currently placed, in order to ensure that his educational needs receive urgent attention. They attend all relevant meetings, persistently chase the placing authority for missing documentation and act as very strong and positive role models for the young person. Staff and managers work particularly closely and positively with local police to agree missing from care joint protocols for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key strength identified at this inspection relates to the impressive range of social activities provided for the young person placed. There is a clear and extremely detailed plan covering the summer holiday period. The young person will be engaged in numerous activities in the local community over the coming weeks, many of which he has not experienced before. Staff have fully considered his needs in relation to social interaction with peers and such a varied plan will undoubtedly increase his self-confidence and sense of worth.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor comes to the home every month to undertake checks of the care and support provided to young people. The quality of the reports produced by the visitor has improved, and more clearly identifies any concerns or progress made. There are plans to change the current independent visitor arrangements in the very near future, in an attempt to further improve their quality. There have been no reported complaints from young people or others for a considerable period of time at this home. There has been no reported use of physical restraint for a considerable period of time and very few significant events. This reflects the extreme competence of staff members and their ability to successfully de-escalate potentially concerning situations with young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No shortfalls were identified as a result of this interim inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This home is operated by a local charity and provides care and accommodation for up to two young people, with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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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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