Children's home 1183070

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . The manager has the appropriate level of qualification and is very experienced in residential settings. She is passionate about the care of young people, motivated and a driving force for positive change. She is awaiting final recruitment checks to be completed before being interviewed for registration. She and the staff team have worked tirelessly to improve the home since the last inspection. Effective use of a range of monitoring tools provides clear evidence of the improvements made and the positive impact on young people. The two requirements and two recommendations made at the previous inspection have been met, resulting in better protection for young people, clearer care and education plans and improved deployment of staff. An increase in training opportunities for staff and managers, alongside detailed

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

discussion about policies and procedures, improves staff knowledge of safeguarding practice, ensuring that young people are afforded better protection. Regularly updated care plans and risk assessments now provide a clearer picture for staff of how to care for young people and reduce risk. Regular discussions in team meetings ensure that any amendments are clearly understood by staff. These meetings also provide a forum for discussion on education plans, keeping staff informed of the education targets and progress of young people. The appointment of an education coordinator, combined with the tenacity of the manager, ensures that young people have the right education package to meet their needs. One social worker commented in an email to the home: ‘Thank you for all the hard work that has been put in to try and find the right education provision.’ The manager has trialled a number of new rotas with staff and, through

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

consultation, a new rota has been agreed. Shift leaders have been appointed, ensuring appropriate staffing to meet the needs of young people. Young people make good progress, especially in their education and engagement in activities. Young people benefit from education packages that meet their individual needs. For some, this has meant an increase in attendance to 100% and improved attainment. One young person, currently receiving education in the home, is awaiting a new school placement that will afford him the opportunity to socialise in a group setting. Young people engage in a range of activities that keep them active, healthy and engaged. This engagement detracts them from involvement in negative behaviour and provides fun and new experiences. Young people have previously been frequently missing from home, with an associated risk of sexual exploitation. Such incidents are reducing significantly in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

their frequency, though some absences remain lengthy. When incidents do occur, staff respond swiftly and robustly, attempting to locate young people as quickly as possible. Return interviews with young people enable information about their whereabouts and reasons for absence to be gained. Excellent work, in partnership with various agencies, and sharing of information keep these vulnerable young people as safe as possible. The manager utilises a range of external agencies to provide additional support for young people, to help them with anger management and to improve their knowledge of sexual health. External agencies have also supported young people to learn about the dangers of carrying a knife, and to understand risks associated with drug and alcohol use. As a result, risks and incidents reduce in all these areas. The young people and staff have excellent relationships with the local police officers who regularly drop by on a social visit. Young people play a key part in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

reducing their own risks and improving their behaviour. For example, one young person drew up his own action plan to help to manage his aggression. This approach encourages young people to invest in positive change. The current group of young people appears settled and the young people have good relationships with staff and each other. Lessons have been learned by staff and managers from a number of previous placements, in which insufficient information and poor matching of young people led to increases in incidents and disruption in the home. The appointment of a referrals manager and the introduction of a robust matching matrix enable the manager to be clear about whether the home can meet the needs of any young person referred, and ensure that the mix of young people is right for all concerned. No requirements or recommendations are made following this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is registered for five children and young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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