Children's Home run by Archways Care Limited in Worcestershire

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.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, new young people have joined the home and others have left. Four young people live at the home and all continue to make progress, because of the care and support provided by staff. Three young people are at school full-time and one part-time. Attendance and punctuality are very good. Managers and staff continue to work closely with social workers and school staff to promote full-time education for each young person, and to make sure that they have every support needed to maximise educational progress and attainment. One young person, who is on a part-time school timetable, completes educational activities with staff at the home. Young people are motivated to learn and progress, knowing that adults promote and support their development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health needs continue to be prioritised. Staff develop positive relationships with young people and understand their specific needs. For example, when one young person had emotional difficulties, managers and staff ensured that he received appropriate support from child and adolescent mental health services, enabling him to talk to professionals about his problems. Young people’s overall well-being is promoted as staff liaise effectively with other professionals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to work closely with local police when there are any concerns about young people’s safety, including risks of child sexual exploitation. Staff work with multi-agency professionals to coordinate effective strategies to support all young people. A local police officer visits the home from time to time to talk to young people, increasing their understanding about the role of police in the community. Since the last inspection, there have not been any allegations made by young people against staff, but not all staff are fully confident about the action that they must take if this happens. This potentially undermines young people’s protection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Sanctions and restraint, when used, are accurately recorded. Managers monitor any incidents to see what can be learned from them to improve the progress of each young person. Since the last inspection, staff have introduced an incentive scheme, which rewards young people for completing short-term goals, including those relating to their education. Young people are motivated to cooperate with this scheme, reinforcing positive behaviour. Young people occasionally go missing from care or have unauthorised absences. Not all young people have a return home interview with an independent person, meaning that they do not have the opportunity to discuss their worries or concerns with someone outside the home. Since the last inspection, there has been one complaint by a young person, which was speedily dealt with and concluded to his satisfaction.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consultation with young people continues to take place regularly through young people’s meetings and one-to-one sessions with staff. This ensures that young people feel listened to and valued. However, not all young people have an independent advocate and may miss opportunities to have an adult helping them to sort out difficulties that may cause worry.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to enjoy a fun and enjoyable day-to-day life. This includes a wide range of activities and trips including youth clubs, cinema and trips to the theme park. The staff team encourages this level of participation, and young people enjoy opportunities and experiences that they may not otherwise have.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have responded positively to the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. The nettles in the garden have been cleared, meaning that this area is clear of avoidable hazards. Young people’s finances are better recorded and a clear audit trail means that young people are protected from potential financial abuse. Staff recording has improved and is monitored by managers, meaning that records reflect accurate information about young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers continue to review all aspects of the home’s operation. The location risk assessment for the home has been reviewed and outlines the potential risks in the locality in relation to young people living at the home. However, it does not stress that managers and staff will review this assessment each time a new young person joins the home, or if staff receive updated information from the police, for example, about new risks in the community. Managers continue to challenge other agencies when there are shortfalls in provision for young people. However, not all necessary information has been received relating to new young people, including a copy of a health assessment. This means that staff may not have all the relevant information that they need to meet young people’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have a good grasp of the strengths and areas for development of the home. The home has introduced a new training programme for all staff, which offers a wide-ranging number of courses and enables staff to develop their role and skills and improve outcomes for young people at the home. Staff are not offered training in understanding anti-radicalisation, and may lack knowledge and experience in recognising and responding to these issues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to live in a warm and welcoming home, although some areas need attention, including the presentation of a downstairs carpet and the decoration of the stairwell. Improvement of these areas will ensure that the overall high standards within the home are maintained.

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Information about this children's home

This home is run by a privately run organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/04/2016 Full Good 03/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/09/2015 Full Good

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Recent inspection history

20/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate professional development. (Regulation 33(4)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this includes anti-radicalisation training. 31/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

(1) 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. (Regulation 36(1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this includes a copy of the child's health review. 30/12/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that young people live in an environment which meets their basic day-to- day needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) In particular, continue to make the home a comfortable and homely environment, with reference to the living room carpet and the decoration on the stairwell.  Ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45,

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Recommendations

paragraph 9.30)  Ensure that the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home is reviewed at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1) This is in particular when new young people arrive, and upon receipt of information from police or other agencies.  Ensure that the policy for the protection of children from abuse or neglect is available and explained to children and their families as well as to all staff, whatever their role. The registered person must make sure that all staff are familiar with this policy and act in accordance with it, in particular how to use it to report a concern. (‘Guide to the children’s home’s regulations including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.21)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that children have access to appropriate advocacy support, and where possible this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. Children looked after are entitled to an independent advocate to advise them and ensure they have the support needed to express their views, wishes and feelings about their care and lives. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standard’, page 23, paragraph 4.16)

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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 0300 123 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 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

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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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