Children's home run by Nottinghamshire YMCA in Nottingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . Since the last inspection, two young people have made very successful and well- planned transitions to adult service provisions. Staff and managers have fully supported these young people to prepare for their moves. Excellent life-skills work has been completed to ensure the best possible chance of success. An exceptionally detailed and well-thought-out life skills workbook is in place for young people, to enable them to consider their current skills and areas of needs. Staff use key-work sessions to further assist young people to gain in confidence and skills during their time living in this home. Such work is commenced with all young people, regardless of their age. This is a commendable approach to ensuring that young people learn and develop new skills, which will greatly assist them in any

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

future placements. The registered manager continues to provide excellent management oversight of all aspects of the care and support provided to young people. He demonstrates a clear commitment to ensuring that young people receive high-quality care and support, leading to significant progress and outcomes for them. He has made numerous changes to internal recording systems since the last inspection. Such changes have been informed by advice and suggestions made by the independent visitor, and by the learning from inspection visits. This reflects a manager and staff team that continually strive to make improvements to how they provide care and support to all young people placed in this home. New placements are carefully considered by the manager and staff team. A recent admission of a young person included the registered manager making a home visit with the placing social worker to meet the young person. Such sensitive and child-

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

focused practice has led to a very successful and positive placement being made. Young people feel fully involved in all aspects of their care, and their wishes and views are sought and acted upon on a daily basis. Another key strength of the care provided to young people relates to the consideration of religious, cultural and dietary needs. Staff and managers have ensured that key documentation is translated into other languages. They have researched and provided religious opportunities for relevant young people. They have ensured that specific dietary needs can be met, including the provision of storage space in the home for one young person’s food. Independent advocacy services have been sourced, as well as forums and youth clubs. A young person commented: ‘All of my needs are being met in this home by the staff, and I am very happy to be living here.’ Staff and managers place a strong emphasis on the need for all young people

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

looked after to have suitable educational provision in place at the time of their admission to this home. The registered manager challenges placing authorities prior to agreeing to new placements, in relation to ensuring that young people have their legal entitlement to education in place. As one education provider from a virtual school stated about one young person: ‘The manager and staff have been very proactive. They advocate strongly for the young person. They appropriately challenge us, and this has led to a suitable provision being sourced in a timely manner.’ Staff and managers ensure that young people enjoy regular and positive contact with family members and significant others. A clear and commendable focus is placed on understanding and working on identity issues with young people. Ecomaps enable staff to support young people to understand their backgrounds. Imaginative practices are employed to provide visual aids for young people,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

including the use of world maps, to enable young people to understand where they or their family originates from. As a result of such work, young people develop trust in staff, increased self-confidence and a positive sense of their identities. Young people report feeling safe and that staff and managers keep them safe from harm at all times. They fully understand the complaints procedures in place and how to access them. Any concerns they raise have been responded to quickly by managers, with clear feedback on the outcomes of any enquiries or investigations being provided to them. The use of restraint is minimal in this home. Managers ensure that the regulatory body and other relevant agencies are informed of any significant incidents or events. Any concerns relating to staff performance or practice receive very prompt and appropriate responses from managers. There is a clear and commendable commitment evident in managers to ensuring the continual

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

safety and welfare of young people at all times in this home. Managers proactively seek feedback from placing social workers, family members and other involved professionals on the care and support that they provide. They use such information to inform development plans and to make improvements to their services. Recent feedback from placing authorities includes the following comment: ‘The placement and staff are proactive, child focused and willing to go above and beyond to meet the needs of the child.’ Another social worker for a young person stated: ‘My young person has made huge progress since moving to this home. The young person would previously refuse to engage with professionals, often spending long periods of time isolated in their bedroom. Since being in this home, they have engaged in activities, completed work in preparation for semi- independence and formed relationships with the staff.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement was made as a result of the last inspection. Changes have been made to the contract for independent visits to the home. Reports from monthly visits now provide detailed analysis of the care and support provided. The independent visitor makes clear and appropriate recommendations, which the registered manager diligently responds to. No shortfalls were identified as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is one of a small number of children’s homes in the area, owned and run by a local charitable organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to two children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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 whom 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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