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Inspector Sharron Escott

This monitoring visit . The purpose of this unannounced monitoring visit was to assess what actions the provider had taken to meet the two compliance notices that were issued at the second full inspection in October 2016. Following that inspection, a senior manager provided Ofsted with a detailed action plan documenting the action that the organisation is proposing to take in order to meet the compliance notices. The two compliance notices issued at the previous inspection have been judged to be met. The acting manager has taken appropriate action to strengthen the home’s recording and reporting systems. All staff have received enhanced training and a full refurbishment programme of the home has been completed. At the time of this monitoring visit, no children were living in the home. As a result, some of the improvements and changes made to the quality of care have yet to be tested to assess their effectiveness and ensure sustainability. A further full inspection will

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Inspector Sharron Escott

be undertaken to assess this as well as the actions taken to address the additional seven requirements raised at the last inspection. In the short time since the inadequate judgement, an acting manager and deputy manager have been appointed. They have been supported in their role by a senior leader. The management team has conducted a full audit of the home’s recording and reporting systems. As a result of this audit, the reporting systems have been consolidated and a new centralised record has been introduced. In addition, all staff have received report writing training. The impact and effectiveness of this training has been tested through individual sessions and team workshops. These tests have included staff completing mock incident reports and daily records, engaging in role play and completing quizzes. The acting manager has introduced a new system to monitor the effectiveness of reporting practices. These include weekly and monthly checks. The revised reports

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Inspector Sharron Escott

enable the acting manager to identify any deficiencies and set actions. These reports are shared with senior leaders. In addition, the responsible individual’s monitoring visits to the home have increased in frequency. To improve the quality of monitoring further, he has created a report that will enable him to have improved oversight of the quality of care. The two young people who were in residence at the time of the last inspection have successfully moved out of the home in line with their placing authority care plans. Since their departure, all staff have received guidance and training on how to engage with young people in the future. As a result, the acting manager and staff team have given improved consideration on how they can seek the wishes, views and experiences of young people and how to manage behaviour. The home has undergone extensive refurbishment, in particular the young people’s bedrooms. Unnecessary signs have been removed from communal areas

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Inspector Sharron Escott

and the restrictions that were in place to the main bathroom and games room are no longer enforced.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to accommodate five young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The service is operated by a charitable organisation.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that 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

7: The children's views, wishes and feelings standard In order to meet this standard, the registered person must ensure that children receive care from staff who: (1)(b) engage with them; and (c) take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (a) ensure that staff— (i) ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interests when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare; (ii) help each child to express views, wishes and feelings; (iii) help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child; and (iv) regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the

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Requirement Due date

10: The health and well-being standard In order to meet the health and well-being standard, the registered person must ensure that: (1)(a) the health and well-being needs of children are met; (b) children receive advice, services and support in relation to 16/01/2017 their health and well-being; and (c) children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that staff help each child to— (ii) understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well- being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding; and (c) that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require.

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure: (2)(a) that staff— (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; (ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe; (b) that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; and (d) the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 16/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

14: The care planning standard In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered person must ensure that children: (1)(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (b) that arrangements are in place to— (ii) manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and 16/01/2017 (c) that each child’s relevant plans are followed.

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Requirement Due date

21: Privacy and access In order to meet this regulation, the registered person must ensure that: (b) children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and (c) any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises— (i) is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home; (ii) is necessary and proportionate; (iii) is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and (iv) allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. 16/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

39: Complaints and representations In order to meet this standard: (3) The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response and the outcome of any investigation. 16/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports In order to meet this standard, the registered person must ensure that: (4) The independent person must produce a report about a visit which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether— (a) children are effectively safeguard; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. In particular, ensure that the independent visitor consults the young people regularly in relation to the quality of care that they receive. 16/01/2017

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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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