Children's home in Basingstoke and Deane

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged to be outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two young people continue to make exceptional progress, as they reside together in a safe, stable and supportive environment. The records reflect that the young people are thriving in all aspects of their lives. They willingly engage with the staff at all times, resulting in their accomplishing and achieving throughout their time at the placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The care that the young people receive from the entire staff team is consistent. This includes how staff instil guidance and boundaries. They have formed excellent relationships with the young people, because of this practice. The young people are treated with respect, resulting in a high level of trust in the staff. A young person said, ‘I am very happy living in the home and feel safe. The staff listen to me and we get along very well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One of the young people continues to make steady progress, emotionally and behaviourally, despite numerous changes in social worker over the past two years. The staff do not allow these changes to hinder the young person’s progress, often taking up the responsibilities that are delegated to the placing social worker.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person residing in the semi-independent portion of the home will be transitioning in a few weeks to semi-independent living. This is a great example of how the staff support young people to obtain the confidence and skills to live their lives independently.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are competent in their ability to follow the policies and procedures of the home to keep the young people safe. The staff proactively work with the young people, ensuring that they have a clear understanding of what it takes to be maintain their safety and well-being. This approach has led to there being no physical interventions on record for the young people, no missing from care incidents and no referrals to the designated officer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments for the young people are detailed, with current information. Every risk that the young people may predictably encounter has been properly assessed. The successful assessment of risk by the staff has led to the young people having opportunities such as hanging out with friends in the community, engaging with local clubs and employment at the company’s stables.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The majority of the staff are effective in managing the negative behaviour of the young people and assisting them to understand its impact on their progress. A young person did become slightly become agitated during inspection, as a sanction that was imposed by a new member of staff was not discussed with him beforehand.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has made a tremendous amount of progress at college and has a clear outlook on his future aspirations. The evidence shows that staff have had a significant impact on the social skills and conflict management of the young person, leading to his successful transition to college.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people have their health needs met to a high standard. They are learning to lead healthy lives by being actively involved in their own medical care. Routine medical appointments are scheduled both in advance and as needed to ensure that all health concerns are addressed promptly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ensuring that young people maintain their relationships with significant others continues to be an excellent practice by the staff. The staff have supported the young people to overcome periods when the young people’s relationships with their significant others have broken down. Thorough staff intervention has allowed these relationships to be repaired and be improved over time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recruitment of new staff remains a meticulous process. A new member of staff has been safely recruited. The process consisted of information being reviewed and verified, resulting in safe sound recruitment in practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Training records reflect that all staff are up to date with their basic training. The majority of the staff are on schedule to gain the required qualification for working in a children’s home by completing the programme later this year.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The overall monitoring of the home is informative and effective. Monthly visits by the independent visitor are occurring regularly. The management continues to be stable, while identifying creative ways to improve the service. For example, the manager is planning to incorporate an electronic recording system that will allow records for young people to be paperless. This action would contribute to efficient record keeping for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team has ensured that the recommendations made at previous inspections have been incorporated into the daily practice of the staff. All documents reviewed on inspection were signed and dated, and reflected the views of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The bathroom has been identified as an area requiring improvement for several months. The young people would benefit from its refurbishment particularly considering that other areas of the home have already been remodelled. There is also a small safety risk to young people from an old radiator that is not safely stored away.

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Information about this children's home

The home is privately owned and provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who may have 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

14/08/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

14/10/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6. The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose standard, with particular reference to the refurbishment of the upstairs bathroom, the registered person should ensure that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c)(i) meet the need of the child. 30/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the positive relationship standard, in relation to young people understanding sanctions, the registered person must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(v) communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. 30/11/2016

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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 Text phone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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