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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection. This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness . The home has been through a significant period of change involving a change of manager and a high turnover of care staff. This has created challenges in providing a clear, consistent staffing to support children. Children have maintained good progress within a stable peer group in the home. Children who reside here have continued to do so for a long period of time. There have been no admissions and only one planned positive discharge. One child had a very positive planned move on from the home. Children continue to be engaged in full-time education. They make discernible progress within their individual capabilities. Children attend either local schools or the school run by the organisation that owns the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children are regularly involved and encouraged to make key decisions about aspects of their daily care and the life of the home. House meetings provide a regular opportunity to choose and suggest activities and menu choices for the coming weeks. After school, children are able to choose an activity for the evening ahead. The manager has also sought their feedback and views about key plans for the home. Staff aim to offer weekly key work sessions but the frequency of these has been inconsistent following the staff changes. Children enjoy a variety of in-house activities and off-site activities. The large garden is well equipped and the children enjoy the bicycles and garden toys. The home environment is safe, well maintained and homely. Managers plan to update and refurbish the bathrooms in the home. During this visit, several fire doors were propped open and the quick-release mechanism had been unnecessarily removed from one door.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager has reviewed the medication policy and procedure in the home. All staff that administer medication have completed online training and their competency has been reviewed. Medication is stored securely and staff follow the home’s procedure for medication administration. There have been no medication errors since the last inspection of the home. Children have individual behaviour support plans and each member of staff is trained in the home’s preferred approach. The home is currently changing the interventions used and staff are awaiting training in the new approach. Staff use a variety of techniques and strategies to support children in managing their behaviour. Physical intervention may be used, but always in its least restrictive form and for the shortest period of time possible. Staff have recorded and evaluated all incidents of physical intervention. Children are routinely offered an opportunity to debrief about the incident and interventions used.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Risk assessments consider all aspects of risk-taking behaviour. Risk assessments are updated and reviewed appropriately. Staff complete assessments focusing on key areas of risk including child sexual exploitation. Staff have applied sanctions, which in general are linked to the behaviour or cause. They have recorded sanctions but records lack clarity regarding the action and for how long it is in place. The language used within the records is not child-friendly. On one occasion, a child was given a ‘dessert ban’ for a week. The subsequent record does not specify what the actual impact of this was. However, the withholding of food is not an appropriate sanction. Sanctions are not routinely reparative in their nature. Staff do gain the views of the child following a sanction being applied, but there is little evidence that children have understood fully the impact of their behaviour. Staff reward positive behaviour and achievements through a variety of awards,

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

including a choice of reward, an extended bedtime or a choice of magazine. The records show minimal use of rewards although this may not be a true reflection of all rewards that children earn. There are several certificates of achievements displayed in the home. Staff requested police support during a recent incident. The manager has reviewed this incident and has concluded that it was not necessary and staff could have followed alternative strategies. Managers have now reviewed and discussed the home’s police involvement policy with staff. There have been episodes of children going missing. Children have ‘missing’ profiles and risk assessments for staff to follow, when the need arises. The home’s policy and procedures provide clarity as to what is required from staff during an incident, and who to report and refer to. Staff follow the home’s safeguarding policy and procedure. They are thorough and act swiftly to report, refer and act on concerns when required. Staff have managed

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

allegations effectively, with reporting, referral and investigation as required. They have provided outcomes to the designated officer, and records show good recording and detail. Staff have explored and investigated all complaints with an evidence trail from instigation to outcome. They have not recorded if or what outcome has been provided to the complainant. A newly appointed registered manager manages the home. She is enrolled on the required level 5 qualification and aims to complete this in the spring of 2017. The manager has developed positive working relationships with others outside of the home. Staff and children maintain relationships with those in their community. An independent visitor regularly attends the home, providing an additional layer of robust scrutiny. The manager has acted on areas identified as requiring improvement and development. The manager is also utilising regular monitoring

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

and evaluation of the home, with areas identified either acted on or implemented into the home’s business plan. Although the home has gone through a period of transition, a stable environment for children has been maintained by accessing additional support from the company’s other homes in the area. Leaders and managers have plans in place that are addressing the current staff vacancies. The ongoing recruitment programme is productive, with staff identified and hoping to join the team in coming months. The newly appointed staff have been subject to robust safer recruitment processes.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to 10 children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/03/2016 Full Outstanding 20/08/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/03/2015 Full Outstanding

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Statutory Requirements

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

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Requirement Due date

Behaviour management and discipline No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child. The following measures may not be used to discipline any child— any punishment involving the consumption or deprivation of food or drink. (Regulation 19 (1)(2)(b)) 17/10/2016

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 Staff should encourage children to share any concerns about their care or other matters as soon as they arise. Children must be able to take up issues or make a complaint with support and without fear that this will result in any adverse consequences. Regulation 39 sets out the requirements on the registered person to have a complaints procedure. Children must be aware of this procedure and be reminded of it as necessary, specifically to ensure that children are provided with an outcome to a complaint which is made. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.13)  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and principles as set out in paragraph 9.35 are respected. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46,

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Recommendations

paragraph 9.36)  Regulation 19 (2) details sanctions that are prohibited in behaviour management. Any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. In some cases, it will be important for children to make reparation in some form to anyone hurt by their behaviour and the staff in the home should be skilled to support the child to understand this and carry it out. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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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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