Children's Home run by Care Focus Limited in Suffolk

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 management team has addressed the recommendations from the previous inspection. Educational records for all the children are now available and are considered on a monthly basis as part of their overall progress. The manager has made progress in updating staff records, including training records.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children benefit from living together in a stable group. Since the last inspection, one child moved to another placement as part of an agreed plan. The staff speak fondly of him and are proud of the progress that he made. He remains in contact with them. The staff and the managers consider new referrals carefully, both to ensure that they can meet the children’s needs and to evaluate the impact on the current group. On occasion, children move in from other homes within the same provider group, the goal being to offer a fresh start with other children of a similar age and educational level. This has proved to be successful, as the children show improved behaviour along with enhanced self-confidence and academic achievement. One child said this had given her the opportunity to, ‘Get my life back on track’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager has recently joined the home. She has previous management experience from working in other homes within the same organisation. The manager has a national vocational qualification level 3 and expects to complete her level 5 within six months. She is completing her application as registered manager and is clear about the timescales. The children respond to the manager warmly. She has made progress in building on existing improvements for the service. For instance, she is working to ensure that the children’s file records are up to date, detailed and reflect the needs and progress of the individual child. However, some areas of this work are outstanding as staff have not completed pathway plans so that they identify a child’s personal goals and the progress that they are making.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff and the managers hold the safety of the children at the centre of their practice. They employ a variety of practical measures and a detailed knowledge of a child to build a protective relationship. All children have detailed risk assessments which are matched with management strategies and are regularly updated. The staff work as a team, sharing information, so that nothing is left to chance. As a result, the children are safeguarded, and their well-being is promoted. The staff receive regular supervision. However, the training records for the staff in the home are not up to date.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The low level of negative incidents, such as episodes of children going missing or the use of restraint, confirms that the atmosphere in the home is calm and well ordered. Although children may have a history of complex needs and challenging behaviour, they know what is expected of them and generally cooperate with the routines and boundaries. All the children go to the school on site, with high rates of attendance. The children are meeting their predicted grades and anticipating improved exam results. For many children who have a history of poor engagement with education, this means that they are starting to plan their futures more positively. A review of one child noted that although she was still troubled, she was maturing into a, ‘Lovely determined child who was growing within herself, and seems to be proud of her progress.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are confident in their approach. They use opportunities from key-working sessions to compile a book of positive comments from the staff about the children. Mealtimes are lively. The children enjoy the banter with the staff and pick up important messages about keeping healthy. The children are encouraged to tackle any concerns straight away so that, although there are few formal complaints, the children know that staff will take their comments seriously. Consequently, they learn to express themselves confidently and get extra help when necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both professionals and parents speak highly of the partnership working that the staff and the managers promote. Social workers receive detailed monthly reports and comment that the staff respond immediately to any concerns. The children benefit from this integrated approach. Parents comment that the staff understand the value of relationships for both the children and the families and are supportive of contact arrangements in place.

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Information about this children's home

This home is one of a small group of homes run by an independent provider. It offers care for up to four children. Education is available within the setting. The children have direct access to therapy as part of the services offered to them by the company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 31/05/2016 Full Good 10/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/12/2014 Full Good 20/03/2014 Interim Good progress

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) This is with particular reference to compiling an up-to-date record of training undertaken by staff in the home, including the dates when training needs to be updated.  Ensure that all records are kept up to date, signed and dated by the author of each entry. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3) This is with particular reference to pathway plans for children preparing for independence.

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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 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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