Children's home run by Five Rivers Child Care Limited in Wiltshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has improved in effectiveness because the registered manager continues to strive for the highest standards of care, safeguarding and management. The home’s nurturing, child-centred approach has helped new residents to settle and begin to gain confidence. Consequently, both residents have made very good progress since their arrival. The home has actioned the previous requirement and recommendation and no shortfalls were found on this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Educational outcomes have improved markedly over the past six months. The young people, some of whom had highly disrupted education before they arrived in the home, now achieve 100% attendance. They have individually-designed education programmes and receive high levels of support from the company’s education staff. One member of the teaching staff said that he is really pleased with the young people’s progress, which has been remarkable. The staff have worked hard to identify appropriate college courses and alternative education resources when needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The accommodation continues to be exceptionally attractive, spacious and well- designed. The communal areas have been further enhanced by the young people’s artwork, notably a beautifully-designed reindeer in the lounge. There is plenty of communal space where the young people can follow their own interests or meet with family and friends. The home also has an exceptionally large and attractive garden, with plenty of space for football and other activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who have left the home have been supported to do so in a positive manner. One younger child with very complex needs showed concerning behaviour, which meant that he could not be kept safe. The registered manager identified this at an early stage and took appropriate action to manage the risks posed to him, to the other young person and to staff. The decision to bring this placement to a conclusion was not taken lightly and it was positive that the home recognised that this child needed a different type of support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager remains in touch with the child’s social worker and is currently gathering photographs and other material from his time in the home to illustrate this part of his life.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager plans the young people’s admissions extremely well, by providing high quality information and phased introductions. One young person helped to redesign the children’s guide, which now incorporates a DVD of the home. The young person was encouraged to video a ‘tour’ of the home. The resulting DVD was given to a prospective resident so that he could see what the home was like before he arrived.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two young people were able to meet and go bowling together, which helped them to forge a good relationship. The young people say that they get along well and enjoy shared activities. They are well matched in terms of age and interests.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both young people have positive contact with their families. A family member who was visiting the home for dinner with the young people and staff, said that they are very pleased with their young person’s progress and valued the personal support that they receive from the team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people’s individual safety has improved in most respects. The serious incidents that took place during July and August 2016, which included major assaults on staff, came to an end when the company gave notice on a previous resident’s placement. Since this child left, there have been relatively few incidents and no physical interventions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one safeguarding notification. This was reported to the designated officer and was found to be unsubstantiated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since November 2016, one newly-admitted young person has gone missing on five occasions. Most of these instances have taken place while he was in his home city during contact visits to family members. The registered manager believes that he is with friends and that he goes missing to spend time with them. She has negotiated with the social worker to establish a realistic amount of unsupervised time for the young person, so that there is less incentive to run away.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

It is positive that there was a four week gap between two of the incidents. On each occasion, the young person has acted responsibly and has returned to his family home after a few hours with his friends. On one occasion he made his way to a police station and asked them to phone the home to ask for someone to collect him, which was very sensible. There was one recent incident where both young people left the home together, but they were found in a nearby town within four hours and returned to the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff have responded positively to all of these incidents. The young people all receive an interview with staff to discuss what can be learned from the missing episode, in addition to the independent ‘return home’ interviews. The manager has also arranged for them to receive a visit from an organisation that specialises in supporting young people who go missing, so the home has done all it can to help them to keep safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The only complaint made to the manager since the full inspection was responded to swiftly and effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Sanctions are rarely imposed, but when this has proved necessary, these have been fair and proportionate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff continue to receive regular, high quality supervision and training. Their learning is tailored to the young people’s individual needs. Although there are three staff vacancies, these have been filled recently. In the meantime, the home has largely avoided the need to use agency staff. There is one agency staff member who returns to work in the home when needed, and this helps to provide continuity for the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff meet every week with a clinical psychologist, who works directly with some of the young people and provides consultation to the team. This ensures that all young people have the benefit of frequent and regular therapeutic intervention and that the manager and staff receive authoritative advice from a qualified professional.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be efficiently managed, with improvement driven through innovative ideas and excellent team work. The registered manager is extremely well supported through her own line manager and other members of the senior leadership team. The company regularly provides the staff with policy updates and other information to help inform best practice. The registered manager has participated in Ofsted provider events and has established an internal newsletter to help staff who work part time hours to keep in touch with events and developments in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager uses a comprehensive electronic recording system to monitor the conduct of the home. This is an effective system which allows her to generate reports to chart the young people’s progress. The registered manager compiles detailed six-monthly reports, as required by regulation. There is also an effective external monitoring system in place. The independent visitor reports monthly and the manager acts on any recommendations made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has very productive relationships with other professionals. She sought advice from all the relevant agencies to support admission planning and to manage risks. She works closely with education staff and the home’s designated clinical psychologist to ensure that there is a consistent and positive response to young people at all times. The manager and staff also have strong links with the police and the local child and adolescent mental health services.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection, one requirement and one recommendation were made. The requirement asked the home to ensure that every staff file contains a photograph and full employment history. This has been actioned. The manager has recently demonstrated robust employment practice when making several new appointments, by declining to appoint people who are not right for the home. This has ensured that only the most suitable staff are appointed to work with vulnerable young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendation made at the full inspection has also been met. The home was asked to ensure that the workforce plan includes specific training to meet staff and management training and development needs. The registered manager explained that each member of staff now has tailored training according to the needs of the young people for whom they provide care.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately-owned children’s home is operated by a national company. The provider also operates other children’s services in the same area. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people of either gender, who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/07/2016 Full Good 05/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/08/2015 Full Good 27/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

No requirements or recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection.

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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

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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