Children's home run by Proactive Care in Tameside

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection. The home is judged to have sustained effectiveness. The home is run by an experienced manager who joined the service in April 2016. He is qualified with the level 5 diploma and has presented Ofsted with an application to become the permanent registered manager. He is supported by an experienced staff team that forms trusting and close relationships with young people resident in the home. Since the last interim inspection on 5 January 2016, there have been a number of changes including the appointment of this manager. A new deputy manager, team leader and residential worker have joined the team. All new staff are qualified at National Vocational Qualification level 3 and have substantial residential experience. The resident group mainly remains stable. Two young people have been in placement since the home opened. One young person moved on positively to an

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

independence service and on the day of the inspection, another young person was preparing for his move on to independent living. Managers have worked well with the local authority fostering service and have been successful in gaining a good match for one young person. Transitions are in place with an anticipated move in September 2016. Young people are settled and happy in this positive and calm environment. The manager works exceptionally well with the placing authorities. When placements are assessed as not meeting young people’s needs, the manager is proactive in calling placement meetings to address concerns and devise a suitable way forward. This ensures that young people receive care suited to their individual and sometimes complex needs. For example, young people do not generally go missing from the home. However, there have been frequent absences for one young person and criminal activity. Steps to address this behaviour are clearly recorded and include updated risk

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

assessments, management plans and communication between professionals. After rigorous assessment, the manager and local authority worked together to find the young person a more suitable placement that met his overall needs. This is an example of good partnership working addressing the best interests of the young person. Since the last inspection, there are no concerns relating to bullying, self-harm or child sexual exploitation. Staff are extremely proactive and ensure that young people are positively monitored, engaged and provided with opportunities to develop external positive relationships. Likewise, the manager routinely monitors any concerns that arise. For example, since the last inspection, there have been five occasions where the use of minimal physical intervention has been necessary. Records are clear and detail the support offered to the young person both at the time of the intervention and afterwards. This level of engagement enables young

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

people to understand their behaviour and work with staff to make positive changes. Relationships between young people and staff are well established. Young people speak highly of staff and say, ‘The staff are great. I get on with all of them. They talk to me and help me. If something is wrong it gets sorted out. I now see my mum and I am happy about that.’ Consequently, young people feel that they are very well supported in the home. Young people confirm that they know how to complain and feel that staff would manage any complaint appropriately. Information such as help lines are located and displayed within the private phone area for young people. There have been no complaints since the last inspection. Young people’s good health is promoted in the home. Staff and external agencies work well together to ensure that young people receive the most appropriate support. As a result, young people eat healthier food, enjoy activities and have a

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

better understanding of achieving healthy lifestyles. Young people have a history of poor educational attendance and attainment. Since residing at the home, all young people have secured a full-time education placement with attendance mainly being very good. One young person has now been successfully integrated back into mainstream school, while other young people attend a specialist college offering essential qualifications and practical skills. When difficulties arise, staff are proactive in providing educational buddies in order to maintain consistency within the educational forum. Managers and staff run monthly diversity groups. Records of staff presentations to young people show that young people enjoy learning about different cultures and faiths. Young people showed a particular interest in understanding Ramadan, with one young person trying out a day’s fast with the permission of his social worker.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This type of work enables young people to have a better understanding and appreciation of cultural and religious beliefs. Parents, placing social workers and police speak highly of this home and say: ‘We have complete peace of mind knowing that my son is being well looked after and all the staff have his best interests at heart. The end result is that he is returning to live at home with us.’ (Parent) ‘This home is always lovely. This is the third young person I have placed. Staff really get to know the young people and show they care and really want to provide positive experiences.’ (Social worker) ‘Staff are very caring and put the safety of young people first.’ (Police) There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last interim inspection which took place on 5 January 2016. There are no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The children's home is operated by a private company. It is registered to accommodate up to five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

There are no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection.

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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

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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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