Children's home SC443549

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home has provided stable placements for children and young people, who have developed and sustained nurturing relationships with staff and made good progress. As a result, children and young people have experienced improved outcomes. One young person said: ‘I am very happy here. I have lived here for a long time and I have been through different changes that staff and the manager have helped me with. I would give this home ten out of ten.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff team reviewed children and young people’s files following the previous inspection to ensure that they contain up to date and relevant information. The manager has also improved the file audit systems and now ensures that social workers are contacted promptly when updated information is required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people have made good progress in Education. One young person passed all of her GCSE’s in the summer term. Her achievements were celebrated by the home. One child is currently not in school, however staff have been proactive in requesting meetings with prospective schools, liaised with the responsible local authority and requested multi-agency personal education planning meetings. They are diligent in their efforts to identify solutions to the educational challenges faced by this child. The manager has ensured that alternative education arrangements are in place as an interim measure. However, there should be more scrutiny of the quality and effectiveness of the alternative provision. A recommendation is made about this and, on the day of the inspection, the manager liaised with the relevant professionals to address this matter.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are detailed risk assessments and behaviour management plans in place as part of placement plans. These are subject to review and are updated when new information emerges. Children and young people have regular key work sessions that provide opportunities for them to raise any concerns and that support them to achieve their placement objectives. There have been sessions addressing the risks associated with social media use. These sessions are supporting children and young people to protect themselves. There have also been sessions to improve peer relationships. Staff and young people identified peer relationships as an area of improvement since the last inspection. All of the children and young people shared positive views about their summer holiday in France.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person is developing independence skills. She cooks a meal for everyone once a week and is very proud of the progress she is making. Young people maintain records of their independence skills learning and these are submitted to an external examining body for accreditation. This is helpful evidence when young people are moving on to independent accommodation in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people have improving health. Their health needs are identified clearly and staff are proactive in ensuring preventative health appointments are kept. One young person has ongoing appointments with the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service as part of their care plan, and their progress is reviewed in multi-agency meetings. Another young person, who was reluctant to attend health appointments, has been sensitively supported and has subsequently been receptive to health advice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff are experienced and able to build excellent partnership working arrangements. A police officer commented that the manager and staff have a good understanding of actions to take when children and young people may be at risk of harm. They are proactive in contacting the police to share information and they are receptive to joint training opportunities. A social worker and education mentor commented that the staff and manager know the children’s needs very well and advocate on their behalf.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is suitably qualified. She is committed to her own professional development and the development of her staff .Both the manager and staff have received relevant up to date training and all staff are qualified or are undertaking qualifying courses.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to review and respond to information provided by quality assurance mechanisms to ensure that there is effective practice within the home and is aware that this is an area for continuous development.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children’s home, which provides up to three placements for children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/05/2016 Full Good 10/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 04/08/2015 Full Good 04/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

Where children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on school roll for some other reason, the registered person and staff must work closely with the placing authority so that the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. In the interim the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards' page 28 paragraph 5.15)

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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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