Children's home run by Maple Leaf Care Limited in Trafford

Inspector Anthony Kyem

Previous inspection judgement Sustained effectiveness Enforcement action since last inspection None

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been three new admissions to the home. Two young people have left and have moved on to alternative care provision. One young person’s placement was ended after the registered manager served notice on their placement. This was because of an increase in their risk-taking behaviours. The registered manager took the decision not to accept any new admissions at that time, so as not to place other young people at risk of harm. Consequently, the needs of young people are prioritised effectively. Young people who are new to the home settle in quickly and are made to feel welcome by staff. Young people make good progress in relation to their individual starting points across all aspects of their welfare and their physical, social, emotional and behavioural development. Staff consistently place the safety of young people at the centre of their practice. They maintain highly effective partnerships with the police

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and other safeguarding agencies to promote the safety and well-being of the young people. Young people are protected from abuse and all other forms of significant harm. Risks associated with the young people are well known and understood by staff who demonstrate a good understanding of safe working practice. A social worker reported, ‘In terms of the placement, so far, so good. She was having frequent missing from homes, issues with self-harm and drug use. Since she’s moved here, it’s been very successful in terms of neutralising her risk-taking behaviour. The risk to her has definitely been reduced since coming here. They’re proactive at keeping us informed.’ Young people benefit from a highly supportive, caring and nurturing environment. Care planning is extremely well planned and practice is highly personalised to meet the specific needs of the young people at the home. Young people are kept safe and are developing a strong sense of personal safety.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person reported, ‘I’m finding it all right. The staff are really nice and it’s a really nice place. It’s nice how the staff talk to you and they respect you. I’m getting on with the other young people. It doesn’t bother me being the only girl. The lads are all right and that’s it really. It would be nice to have another girl but I’m not that bothered any more.’ The home provides young people with a physically safe, appropriately secure, warm, comfortable and homely environment. It is decorated and furnished to high- quality standards for young people. There is an effective programme of redecoration and repair. Young people are given their own bedrooms, which they are free to personalise according to their needs, wants and wishes. The home’s location, design and layout meet the characteristics and needs of the young people. There have been no allegations of abuse, restraints or complaints since the last

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

inspection. Staff effectively use disengagement and de-escalation strategies to deal with young people who exhibit challenging and difficult behaviour. The use of sanctions are kept to an absolute minimum, and consequences for unacceptable behaviour are fair and proportionate. The home has a zero tolerance policy towards bullying and, given recent changes in the group dynamic, staff remain vigilant to the potential for bullying behaviour. Young people’s behaviours are closely monitored by staff and risk assessments are kept under regular review. Significant incidents are reported to the appropriate authorities to ensure that young people are effectively supported and protected. There has been a reduction in the frequency of missing from care episodes and significant events since the last inspection. Clear risk assessments and proactive safe working practices promote the safety and well-being of young people. When young people are absent or go

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

missing, there is an effective response to promote their safe return. Staff report missing young people in line with their risk assessments and particular vulnerabilities. This ensures that the most vulnerable young people are effectively safeguarded and protected. The home has met and addressed the requirements and recommendation from the previous inspection. The manager has revised the statement of purpose and has notified Ofsted. The home is visited each month by an independent person to scrutinise the quality of young people’s care. The independent person now consults with the parents of young people and significant others to form an accurate opinion about the quality of their care. A report includes the independent person’s opinion as to whether young people are effectively safeguarded, and whether the conduct of the home promotes their well-being. However, a statement at the end of the report, emphasising the latter, would make their judgement more explicit.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has checked the home’s own internal monitoring activities to ensure that specific areas of practice are reviewed with improved evaluation and analysis.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

 The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Information about this children’s home

 The home is privately owned and managed.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

10/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

10/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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’.

p.5

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 that 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.

p.5

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 .

p.5

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,

p.6

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

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

p.6