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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 . Independent scrutiny is useful in helping the home to improve and in highlighting shortfalls in, for example, the quality of risk assessments. The visitor does not, however, form an opinion as to whether young people have their welfare promoted. This is a missed opportunity to alert the provider to any serious concerns. The reports that the independent visitor produces take some time to reach Ofsted, and often nearly two months after the visit has taken place. This prevents the regulator from taking swift action, should it be necessary to address any concerns about young people’s safety and welfare. Since the last inspection, the manager has been granted registration with Ofsted. She has ensured that young people have improved their engagement in education, increased their contact with family and had no further involvement in criminal

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

activity. There continues to be a very low occurrence of missing-from-home incidents, and currently there are no young people at risk of sexual exploitation. Young people continue to benefit from the stability and good-quality care offered by the home. They make steady progress, relative to their time in placement, and enjoy developing their independence skills, particularly in preparing and cooking food for others. Young people have good relationships with staff. This results in a cordial atmosphere where behaviour is managed well and there is no need for restraint. Monitoring of the home is effective and ensures that the home continues to improve and provide good-quality care. Recommendations from the last inspection have been met. As a result, concerns about local authority-provided information are more swiftly escalated, improving the basis of partnership working for young people. The manager’s evaluation of the performance of the home is ongoing and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

continues to improve. Young people have also benefited from new staff being employed at the home.

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Information about this children's home

This is a private children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children who 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

05/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

10/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (‘the independent person’s report’) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)(b)) 15/12/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Make best use of information from independent monitoring to ensure continuous improvement (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24). Specifically, ensure that the independent visitor’s report is sent to Ofsted before the end of the month that follows the month in which the visit took place.

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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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