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This monitoring visit

An interim inspection of this service was conducted on 4 October 2016, for which a separate report is available. Since that inspection, an anonymous complaint with regards to care practices, oppressive management and poor hygiene practices was received by Ofsted. This monitoring visit was conducted to check the home’s compliance with the children’s homes quality standards and regulations relevant to the complaint.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was conducted over approximately four and a half hours. It was the half- term holiday and many children were at home. It was also the handover day between shifts (which occurs only weekly, as most staff work a seven day on/seven day off pattern). The premises were inspected on arrival. Two children spoke privately with the inspector and others were observed playing in the company of staff. Six staff plus the manager were spoken to during this inspection. Records of sanctions and incidents were reviewed, and the manager shared a report of an investigation conducted into an internal whistleblowing complaint which raised issues similar to those described in the anonymous complaint.

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This monitoring visit

The premises are entirely domestic in feel across the large home and annex. The carpets, bedding and furnishing are suitably maintained. Staff provide children with the support and help that they need to manage their personal and intimate care needs. Such support is discreet and promotes children’s dignity. Keeping the immediate environment odour free is sometimes a challenge, but the systematic approach is effective and all staff understand their roles in this.

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This monitoring visit

The children spoken said that they liked the staff. They were at ease in talking about their home. Children observed were all similarly positively engaged in the company of staff across both shifts at the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff spoken with presented as open and transparent about their experiences of working at the home. They described positive relationships with managers and confirmed that they had no concerns about care practices. Although proud of their work, all were honest about some of the recent difficulties that they had experienced. These are all directly linked to the number of staff who have left recently and the months taken to return to a settled staff team. This has impacted on the confidence that children have in staff as relationships with new staff members are forged. Similarly, it has been a challenge to provide consistent care immediately following the loss of some experienced staff. The staff expressed confidence in both the company and the on-site managers, and most felt that they were already coming through this turbulent period.

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This monitoring visit

All staff spoken with and observed were warm in their regard for the children in their care. How the children are treated is the subject of a debriefing at the end of each day, and staff reported a culture of professional challenge to learn from or modify each other’s practice. This is a protective culture that allows early reflection on staff practice.

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This monitoring visit

The interim inspection of the home made one requirement and three recommendations. These are in respect of behaviour management, sanctions, restraint and complaints. These are not restated here, because managers are already working to meet these in response to that report. No additional requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this visit.

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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. The age range of children is usually between eight and 13 years of age.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. out in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

to 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 children looked after 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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