Children's Home run by Amegreen Children’s Services in West Berkshire

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 good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The young people are making steady progress towards their individual goals. They are attending education regularly, developing both positive relationships and individual interests while learning many skills needed to be successful in their adult lives. The staff undertake good-quality planning for the young people. The young people have developed a clear understanding of what is expected of them as they actively engage with the staff to ensure that their views are incorporated into their care plans. The care for the young people is then regularly and purposefully reviewed by managers. The management team has taken the appropriate steps to ensure that the recommendations made at the previous inspections have been incorporated into

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

the daily practice of the staff. This inspection did yield two recommendations concerning the documentation for the young people, but these did not have an adverse impact on their safety and well-being. The managers made the decision to change the gender balance of the home by admitting a female resident from another home to join the young men already living here. She already has existing relationships with the other young people from school and other activities. She has settled in well while developing appropriate relationships with everyone. The young person said, ‘I like living in the home. Everyone has been so nice.’ The young person said that prior to moving into the home she had pre-arranged visits and activities with the other young people and staff. Unfortunately, there was documentation on record to evidence the transition. The manager acknowledged the oversight on this occasion and has agreed to update the records.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The impact risk assessment lacked substance and did not adequately assess all the risks associated with now accommodating young people irrespective of gender. The manager accepted the criticism of the impact risk assessment and steps were taken to improve the document. The majority of the risk assessments for the young people are very detailed with appropriate guidance for staff to work safely with them.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The young people are making significant progress in their educational attainment. Some young people are attending college, others have recently completed college and now work full time at the organisation’s stables, from which they gain valuable work experience and practice managing their own money. The young people in education happily attend while making new friends and developing their interests. The young people have their health needs met to a high standard. They are being taught to lead healthy lives by attending all routine appointments, preparing healthy meals alone and with the assistance of the staff and shopping and selecting well-planned meals together or individually. The staff effectively manage the behaviours of the young people. They have a calm and sensitive approach when dealing with the young people, which is good role modelling and has also resulted in no physical interventions during this inspection

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

period. All the young people praised the staff for their ability to listen and talk to them openly and honestly. All staff are consistent in their approach in relation to their commitment and engagement with the young people even those that experience difficulty transitioning into the care system. A young person was admitted to the home who refused to adhere to the rules of the home and continuously absconded. The manager remained optimistic that the staff could reach the young person despite the local authority eventually ending the placement because of the lack of engagement from the young person. Records evidenced a robust response by the staff to young people going missing. Staff work in partnership with the local police and local authority to develop a plan of action and risk management. The young people most often safely return to the home and have a return home interview to ascertain any concerns.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The staff continue to be consistently supported by the manager as he successfully manages this and a nearby sister children’s home. Training records reflect that all staff are up to date in their basic training. The majority of the members of staff are appropriately qualified and have routine supervision while attending informative and purposeful team meetings. The manager has taken a new approach to the recruitment of staff to work with the young people. Two agency workers have been offered full-time three-month contracts to trial their abilities before extending offers of permanency. All staff information is reviewed and verified, resulting in safe recruitment practices for any staff working in the home. The young people live in a safe environment. The staff are regularly monitoring all health and safety checks to ensure that they remain up to date. Fire and maintenance checks are up to date and documented.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The internal and external monitoring of the home is sound. The independent visitor continues to visit the home monthly, offering an unbiased external view of how the home is functioning and the progress of the young people. The monthly reports were successfully considered, leading to effective annual monitoring by management.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned home accommodates up to four young people, irrespective of gender, with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/02/2016 Full Good 21/05/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/03/2015 Full Good 05/11/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  All children’s care records must be kept up to date. This is in relation to documenting the process of admitting new young people to the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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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