Children's home run by Quantum Care UK Limited in North Northamptonshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection carried out in December 2015 no requirements or recommendations were made. The service continues to operate at a high standard with continual improvements being made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a change of manager since the last inspection. The newly registered manager, promoted from deputy manager, has settled in well and gained the full support of the staff team. This transition has been smooth. The registered manager has suitable experience and qualifications to fulfil the role. She is currently undertaking a level 5 diploma in leadership and management. She is committed to maintaining the high standards applied by the previous registered manager. As a result the home continues to develop and make changes to meet the changing needs of the young people. In addition, there have been staff development opportunities. The registered manager identifies individual staff’s areas of expertise and interest and delegates specific roles to her staff team. She is competent in overseeing these roles and in monitoring their effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the last year young people have successfully moved onto foster placements, back to their home area or onto semi-impendent living accommodation. The registered manager has improved the quality of impact assessments relating to placement matching and compatibility to ensure the progress of the current young people is not hindered. The staff team have managed some very challenging situations in the last year that they have learnt from. This can be seen in the staff’s improved expertise and knowledge in the management of, for example, sexual exploitation. Training has added to staff’s understanding of the need to work with a range of professionals and to challenge when necessary. This needs to expand to ensure all local authorities carry out independent return interviews following a young person going missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Other areas that have improved include handovers between shifts where communication has improved as a result of the re-introduction of a message log. This enhances the practice of information sharing with staff. Team morale is good with staff supporting each other well. In addition, the house has benefitted from new carpets, furnishings and fittings plus a new kitchen. There are plans in place for the dining room and conservatory to be redecorated in early 2017.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding procedures and practices are sound. The registered manager and her staff team are confident in gaining advice and making appropriate referrals where indicated. In addition, there is a dedicated team of internal senior leaders with safeguarding knowledge who are on call every day. Clear contact details are visible in the staff office. Staff are knowledgeable about whistleblowing procedures and state they are comfortable in raising any concerns they may have. Again, clear details of both internal and external professionals they can contact are on display in the staff office. The staff say the registered manager encourages them to speak out and seek more senior advice if concerned about any decisions she makes. In practice there have been no whistleblowing incidents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Complaints are taken seriously and managed satisfactorily. All required agencies are notified of serious complaints against the home or staff including the regulatory body, Ofsted, who are kept up to date about on-going investigations. There has been one complaint made against the home since the last inspection around poor communication. This has been resolved and the investigation concluded with face to face feedback to the complainant. Good records are kept.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Individual risky behaviours decrease for most young people. For those young people who will not engage with staff, education or external professionals, despite much encouragement and clear strategies delivered by the staff over a period of time, the registered manager liaises closely with the placing authority and a range of professionals to re-evaluate or to rethink the future of the placement. Decisions made are in the best interests of the young person. Although this is a rare occurrence, it does show the registered manager focuses on the young person rather than maintaining high occupancy levels.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring continues to be of an excellent standard with detailed independent visitor reports and six monthly quality assurance reports being undertaken. The registered manager has high expectations of practice and recording, both of which her staff team meet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff respond appropriately to cultural and religious needs, working closely with families to ensure their wishes are met. This includes dietary needs, social activities, time and resources to pray and expectations of cultural behaviour. No young person experiences discrimination at this service.

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Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to accommodate up to two young people of irrespective of gender aged 11 to 17 years old. A small children’s home, it provides for young people who have generally not responded well in larger settings. It is one of number of children’s homes owned by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/12/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/08/2015 Full Outstanding 26/11/2014 Interim Improved effectiveness 30/07/2014 Full Outstanding

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:

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Recommendations

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of the 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, paragraph 9.30)

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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

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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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