Children's home in Belfast

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged as requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There have been changes at the home, with some young people leaving and others moving in to live at the home. Young people who have left have moved to other planned placements, including semi-independent living, foster care and family placements. There are currently two young people living at the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Not all requirements made at the last inspection have been met. Physical intervention reports are not all fully completed, particularly in recording whether a discussion has taken place with a young person following a physical intervention. In addition, staff do not always sign and date the record confirming when the discussion took place. If young people read their records, they will not be reassured that staff followed the correct procedures in place to protect their welfare.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Current outcomes for young people are mixed, because the young people living at the home are not well matched with each other for many reasons. There have been a number of incidents and the managers and staff have not always been proactive in responding promptly to make sure that incidents are not repeated. This lack of action compromises young people’s safety. Staff are working hard to maintain and develop nurturing relationships with young people to improve this situation.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Since the last inspection, there have been improvements with one young person’s education, and his school attendance has improved. Staff continue to liaise closely with his school to make sure that he benefits from all opportunities to learn and progress. Another young person has a part-time timetable and receives one-to-one tuition for a few hours each week. Staff encourage her to complete additional education at home, and have put other measures in place to reinforce a daily routine of focussing on education and learning. Nevertheless, this young person does not have full-time education, and does not have the necessary opportunities to learn and progress towards adulthood equipped with the learning and skills to promote an independent lifestyle in the future. There is information missing from one young person’s file, namely a copy of the looked after review and her health assessment. Consequently, staff may not have

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

all the information they need to meet her needs effectively.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Since the last inspection, staff have helped one young person to prepare for a planned transition to foster care. They have undertaken frequent one-to-one key work sessions with him, helping him to express his worries, fears and enthusiasm about the move. The young person said that he is excited and planning a farewell meal with staff and young people at the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Since moving to the home, another young person is working with therapeutic services for the first time. Consequently, she is getting the help and support she needs to make progress in the future.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff encourage young people to try new activities and enjoy events in the community. Young people had a camping trip during the summer holidays, and they enjoy cinema trips, walks, shopping and activities within the home, such as cooking and baking. Young people have opportunities to broaden their horizons and have a good quality day-to-day life.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home’s environment is improving. A programme of repair and refurbishment is under way, and the home has a welcoming and comfortable presentation. Young people tell staff how they would like the home to look and contribute their ideas about general decoration. Young people also personalise their rooms, promoting a sense of ownership and belonging. One young person said, ‘I am happy here, it is better than I thought it would be.’

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is run by a private organisation on behalf of a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 09/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/05/2015 Full Good 18/02/2015 Full Good

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which 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

In order to meet the education standard so that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so, the registered person must ensure that staff: (2)(a)(x) help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans. 23/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard: (2) in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure: (a) that staff: (iv) manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. 23/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which: (a) include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. In particular, a copy of the child’s looked after child health review. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)) 23/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 24 hours of the use of the measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the date, time and location of the use of the measure and the name of the person who used the measure (‘the user’) and of any other person present when the measure was used. (Regulation 35 (3)(iii)(vi)) 23/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record 23/12/2016 confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(c))

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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, 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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