Children's home SC459255

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

The registered manager is experienced. She has recently completed a relevant qualification in leadership and management, and is awaiting accreditation. She has previously been deputy manager at this home for a number of years. She is committed to ensuring that the young people achieve positive outcomes and that staff provide skilled, safe care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A combination of experienced and more recently appointed staff work at the home. New staff benefit from a corporate induction and are then supported by experienced staff during a carefully monitored probationary period. The manager said: ‘We are fully staffed, staff are ambitious and respond to development opportunities. They are committed to our young people and go the extra mile to make sure that they are making progress and are having positive contact with family. Young people who have moved on continue to receive supportive contact.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two requirements made at the previous inspection have been addressed. The home environment is safe, and damage to property has been promptly addressed. Young people clearly take pride in the home; some had made Christmas artwork that was decorating the walls, and all rooms were tidy and comfortable.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two new admissions since the last inspection; records demonstrate that detailed information was shared to inform robust risk assessments and risk management plans prior to and at the point of admission. The manager is continuing to improve the risk assessments so that information is clear and helpful to both young people and staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recent report by the independent visitor has highlighted the need to review placement care plans to ensure that historical information is removed when it is no longer essential to risk assessments. The management team are in the process of undertaking a review of all plans, and there is clear evidence that they now contact social workers to ensure that up-to-date plans are shared in a timely way.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good, and in some areas outstanding, progress from their starting points. There are relatively few incidents of young people going missing or behaviours escalating to the point that physical intervention is required. When incidents do occur, procedures are adhered to and the safety of young people is prioritised. When there are concerns about potential criminal behaviour or substance misuse, managers have made appropriate referrals and community resources have been accessed to address the concerns. For example, a local police community support officer has joined a residents’ meeting to discuss community safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is an open, comfortable atmosphere in the home. One young person, a recent admission to the home, said he would give the home ‘eleven out of ten’. He has been supported to continue with sports and activities that he is interested in and has had positive contact with family. This has helped him to settle. Another young person who has moved on has sent a card, thanking staff for the ‘amazing support’ he received. One young person has left the home since the last inspection. This was a well-planned, well-supported transition. Managers are proactive in requesting review meetings if they believe that the placement is not meeting the young person’s needs and/or if they assess that there is new information about risks to a young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people have taken exams since the last inspection and one young person has completed a vocational course. Some of the young people are receiving alternative education. A tutor notes the commitment and skill of staff in supporting and encouraging a young person so that his engagement in education has improved. Managers are working with social workers to ensure that full-time education provision is in place for each young person. For example, they are being tenacious in supporting a young person whose placement has recently ended to apply for employment and training opportunities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have detailed health plans from the point of admission and are supported to engage with preventative health appointments. Staff are very aware of, and are responsive to, emotional and mental health needs, and seek advice and consultation with professionals when new needs are emerging. Appropriate referrals are made to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health service and some young people are receiving regular support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Practice regarding managers and staff making a record of actions when they attend planning meetings has improved and is embedded. This means that progress can be made while staff are awaiting the formal meeting records.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no requirements or recommendations made as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is privately owned and is registered to care for up to six young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/07/16 Full Good 16/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/09/2015 Full Good 22/01/2015 Interim Improved 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 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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