Children's home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in North Northamptonshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement 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

At the last inspection of this home, a number of shortfalls were identified. At the time of this inspection, significant improvements have been made and all previously set shortfalls have been successfully addressed. Young people now report feeling much happier with the care and support that they receive. Staff similarly report feeling happier and that the issues of concern from last year have all been resolved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The number of serious incidents relating to young people has significantly reduced since the last inspection. One young person has moved to a new placement, which was felt to be better able to meet their complex and challenging needs. Senior managers also took the decision to block new admissions being made to the home, in order to enable the manager to address the issues of concern following the last inspection. The manager has ensured that all relevant events have been notified to Ofsted in a timely manner. Records reflect prompt and appropriate actions being taken by staff to incidents. Management oversight and monitoring of events and incidents has also greatly improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As stated, no new admissions have been made to the home since the last inspection. Senior managers acknowledged the need for a period of stability for both young people and staff. The planned move of one young person to a more suitable placement has enabled staff and managers to focus again on the needs of those remaining young people. The manager is clear that he will undertake careful consideration of any future admissions to the home. This is positive and reflects a learning culture within the management team. As one member of staff stated: ‘Things are so much better now than they were last year. Staff morale has improved greatly and we are able to provide good care and support to the young people.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of agency staff at this home has significantly reduced since the last inspection. There has only been one occasion when an agency worker has been used in the home since August 2016. This is a positive development, providing young people with consistency of care. The manager has gained approval to increase the staffing ratios in this home and is currently recruiting new staff. Young people report satisfaction now at the support and consistency of care that they receive from staff, with very positive relationships being formed and sustained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key strength of the work done with young people now relates to planning for their eventual move from this home. Detailed and comprehensive life skills work has been undertaken with relevant young people. Staff fully support them to learn and practise new skills. Transitions meetings take place with placing authorities in a timely manner. Staff and the manager act as strong and positive advocates for young people. They have influenced decisions about adult accommodation provisions for their young people. This leads to young people having the necessary skills to make a successful transition and in them moving to suitable accommodation with the support that they will continue to need.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments now receive prompt consideration following any significant incident or event. Staff ensure that they reflect the current and changing needs of each young person living in the home. The manager oversees this, and there is now much clearer and positive evidence of frequent and robust reviews and updates taking place for all plans and assessments.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As the staffing situation has stabilised since the last inspection, the manager has been able to return his focus to management oversight of the home. It is evident that he has good oversight and scrutiny of all aspects of the care and support provided to young people. Management reports reflect the progress made by young people and include detailed analysis and action planning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has made changes to the recording of activities offered to young people since the last inspection. Recording now includes confirmation of activities undertaken and reasons for any that have not taken place. This enables staff to consider the activities that young people request to take part in and the impact on them. It has enabled staff to encourage some young people to consider taking part in new and more physically challenging social activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no formal complaints made by young people or others for some considerable time in this home. Young people report confidence in feeling able to advise staff and managers of any concerns that they may have. Systems for recording and responding to complaints are robust, and records show that the manager has made detailed responses.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has only been one incident of restraint being used on a young person since the last inspection. Records reflect the skill and competence of staff and include the views of young people. Staff demonstrate skill in being able to de-escalate situations with young people, thus avoiding the need for restraint whenever possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The attendance and engagement of young people in education has improved. Staff fully support young people to engage in education and to attain well. They also support those young people who wish to seek employment. Incentive planners are linked with educational attendance and are used to encourage and support young people who have previously struggled with their education. Such imaginative approaches have led to significant improvements in attendance for one young person.

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Information about this children's home

This privately run children’s home is registered for three children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/08/2016 Full Requires improvement 17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/12/2015 Full Good 11/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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