Children's Home run by Footsteps a Path to Change Limited in Staffordshire

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 judge that it has declined in effectiveness . The home has been without a registered manager for 31 weeks. The need for a registered manager was a requirement made at the last inspection. The home has therefore declined in effectiveness. During this period, the responsible individual and the deputy manager have managed the home. The deputy manager is intending to apply for the position of registered manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No young people have been admitted or left the home since the last inspection. Young people are settled with decrease levels of missing incidents and improvements in their involvement with education. One relative told the inspector, ‘He has improved since the summer, controls himself better and been more tolerant.’ Young people also commented that they are happy in the home and are positive about the staff, highlighting key individuals that they enjoy spending time with.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good systems are in place to listen to young people’s views including regular key working sessions and young people’s meetings. Young people’s meetings minutes show that menus and activities are discussed. However, there is no longer a managerial response to ‘requests’ made by young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A social worker and a young person highlighted that the staff make the place feel ‘Homely’, ‘The place is not a children’s home, it’s a proper home, just like a family.’ The environment continues to be well looked after, with young people personalising their rooms well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No young people have been involved in a restraint since the last inspection. This is due to the staff team’s ability to use de-escalation techniques when challenging behaviours are shown.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have developed in their independence skills, using the separate annex appropriately and learning how to budget, cook and look after their health. Young people have been involved with a local charity. This has helped to develop their self-esteem through working in a local shop as well as completing health and safety training as part of their role. There is excellent links with therapeutic care services. Young people have regular meetings with the home’s therapist to develop their emotional health. The therapist also works well with the staff team, meeting with them without the management team to provide a forum of open discussion regarding the home and staff’s strengths and areas of development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The deputy manager is keen to develop the service provided and has a good range of ideas for improvement. She has a good awareness of the skills of her staff team and works with the independent visitor to examine ways forwards for the home. She ensures that relationships with other professionals are strong, with a social worker stating that, ‘This is one of the best homes, staff and I just work great together.’

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Information about this children's home

The home is part of a small private organisation. It offers care up to three young people primarily with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is set within a rural environment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 17/11/2015 Full Good 26/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/10/2014 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home if there is no registered manager in respect of the home (Regulation 27.1) 14/02/2017

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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 managers have the skills and confidence to communicate easily and understand the importance of listening to, involving and responding to the children they care for, specifically with reference to young people's meetings. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards' page 22, paragraph 4.10).

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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, 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

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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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