Children's home run by Aurora Care Young People’s Services in Ribble Valley

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . Young people continue to receive good-quality care. The one recommendation made at the last inspection has been addressed, by ensuring that eligible care leavers have a current pathway plan in place. Staff are encouraging these young people to engage in in-house, semi-independence programmes in readiness for their transition to independent living. Since the last inspection, staff have successfully supported one young person to return home. The staff provided outreach support to the young person and his family until he was fully settled. One young person’s placement ended prematurely because the staff were unable to reduce his risk-taking behaviours and keep him safe. In addition, young people are struggling at times to live together positively because of the complexity of their needs. This is further influenced by the fact that

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

a recent admission to the home is much younger than those young people already living in the home. Staff recognise that education is invaluable to young people’s lives. They support and encourage attendance. However, young people in long-term placement are struggling to commit to their education. This is despite staff working with them to address the challenges and barriers to their learning. Another young person is attending school and making good progress. Recreational activities are promoted outside of the home, and one young person enjoys attending the Scouts. Others prefer to spend time socialising with their friends away from the home. The home has clear protocols in place with the local police, to support effective action when young people go missing. Multi-agency working ensures that strategies are in place to respond to any concerns relating to a young person’s welfare and safety. On occasions, young people have been absent from the home

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

without permission. Staff undertake welfare checks on them to ensure that they are safe and well. However, this is not always clearly recorded. The manager has introduced an information log that will provide a clear account of action taken by staff. Young people benefit from a small, stable and experienced staff team. The inspector observed tensions between some young people and staff. However, the staff are confident in challenging and redirecting the young people. Staff are trained in physical intervention and behaviour management. Physical intervention is rarely used, and only as a last resort. The staff team is led by a highly committed registered manager. She has a clear understanding of young people’s plans and monitors the progress that they make. The manager is confident in challenging social workers and other professionals, to ensure that young people receive the services and support that they need. The

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff use a monitoring tool called ‘Aurora Star’ with the young people, to help to plot their achievements. Over time, this enables young people to have a strong sense of personal development. The manager has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She is assisted by effective internal and external assurance processes. This ensures consistency in practice and promotes a good quality of care.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is privately owned and managed.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/16 CH-Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Regulation 11(2) sets out the expectation on staff to build a positive relationship with each child and to help the child to develop skills to have positive relationships with others. In particular, young people should be supported to develop positive relationships with other young people in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, paragraph 8.6, page 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 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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