Children's home in Charnwood

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 judges that it has sustained effectiveness . There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection. The registered manager returned from a period of absence on 25 July 2016. Robust interim management arrangements ensured that young people continued to experience an exceptionally high standard of care. Young people are kept safe by a staff team that demonstrates good knowledge of safeguarding practice. Risk assessments guide staff and ensure that they act on identified risks using agreed strategies to keep young people safe. Missing from home episodes have significantly decreased. One young person who regularly went missing now rarely does. Staff undertake immediate and extensive searches for young people. They ensure that young people know that their welfare is paramount, and staff search for them, liaising with other professionals, family and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

friends, until their return. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place to enable young people to take risks appropriate to their individual levels of understanding and ability. For example, one young person is now able to manage using his mobile phone without any restrictions. Staff have worked with him to enable him to keep himself safe while using the internet. Extremely committed staff help young people to reach their goals. Staff use positive incentive systems to promote good behaviour. For example, one young person is working towards her target of improving her social skills which when achieved will be rewarded by having her hair coloured. All young people attend school and are making good social and academic progress. One young person was previously not attending school; she is now attending full time. Staff worked with her previous school to devise a supportive timetable, to reintegrate her into school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Weekly ‘get togethers’ are used to continually improve the service offered to young people. Staff plan stimulating conversations and offer financial rewards to ensure that all young people participate. The ‘star of the week’, and tidiest bedroom and bathroom awards are always sought after and celebrated. Young people debated whether night-time door alarms are necessary. These have not been individually risk assessed or reviewed. The registered manager has made plans to review this issue with young people, their parents and social workers. Young people’s emotional needs are a priority. Staff undertake life-story work with young people, to help them to make sense of their past. Young people write down negative feelings and destroy them. A ‘time capsule’ initiative was very effective. The young people’s wishes and positive feelings are placed in a ‘time capsule’ and buried in the garden for a future date.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people sustain positive behaviour and have learnt coping strategies to use when they are angry or distressed. As a result, the number of restraints is reducing. Restraint records demonstrate that young people’s feedback have been sought. Records are detailed, evidencing evaluation of triggers and reflection. The registered manager analyses the records to ensure that strategies are implemented, to reduce challenging behaviours. Highly effective key-work sessions are innovative and responsive to incidents. For example, staff use short video clips to help young people understand and discuss personal space. Staff are honest with young people about decisions made to protect them. They work with young people to enable them to learn appropriate behaviour. Staff receive regular, reflective supervision, which focuses on young people and staff’s issues. Staff morale is good, and strong relationships exist between young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people and staff. One member of staff said, ‘The support of the staff group and positive dynamics make the job easier.’ Good professional relationships with stakeholders ensure that young people have consistently outstanding care. One social worker reported, ‘I am very happy for the young person to remain where she is. I am very happy with the placement.’ Another social worker said, ‘My young person is doing really well since he has been placed there. He is more settled, more confident and outgoing.’ A parent said, ‘I am able to have my son home overnight as a result of the support that I have had from the staff. I am really, really pleased with his progress.’ Detailed quarterly reports by the registered manager and comprehensive external monthly monitoring ensure that high standards of care are maintained. The registered manager strives to continually improve the environment and experience for the young people in her care.

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Information about this children's home

This private home caters for up to six young people who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is privately owned.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

09/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendation

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:

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Recommendation

 Any modifications to the environment of the home must only be made where this is intended to safeguard the child's welfare. All decisions should be informed by a rigorous assessment of that individual child's needs, be properly recorded and be kept under regular review. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10)

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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 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 whom 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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