Children's home run by Wessex College Limited in Dorset

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

At the previous inspection, one requirement and two recommendations were made. All of these have been met. The registered manager has improved their monitoring of the work undertaken and the records maintained. There is now clear evaluation of information. Staff and senior managers are proactive in obtaining return home interviews from the placing authority. The registered manager has developed a monitoring form to enable clear tracking of these visits. The records of staff recruitment now include an explanation of the scoring system used and how the decisions were reached to appoint or not.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, three young people have left the home. These were planned moves, with staff supporting the young people to move on positively to the next stage of their lives. Subsequently, three new young people have moved in to the home. This has led to an unsettled period, but staff have managed this well. There has been an increase in incidents, including young people leaving the home without permission. These have begun to decrease, due to the work the staff have undertaken and as the young people settle.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff response to incidents of young people leaving the home without permission is robust. Each young person has personalised strategies which are linked to the young person’s vulnerability and identified risks. Staff follow young people for as long as possible to monitor their safety, and to try to persuade them to return to the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff only use physical intervention as a last resort. Where this has been used, staff maintain appropriate records and the manager monitors these effectively. Young people are supported to reflect on the events that led to the use of physical intervention.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One-to-one sessions provide good evidence of the individualised support and guidance provided by staff to the young people. These are linked to the young people’s care plans, as well as to incidents and events. They also demonstrate how staff work with young people to develop strong, trusting and positive relationships. Records demonstrate reflective work with the young people to develop an understanding of their behaviours and how this affects them and others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are engaged in education. For some, this is a vast improvement as they have missed a significant amount of education prior to their arrival at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Currently there is one staff vacancy. Since the last inspection, three new members of staff have been appointed and are supported well through their induction period. All of the shift leaders are on the organisation’s Aspire course. This is designed to develop shift leaders’ management potential as well as their childcare skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff morale at the home is good. The organisation has developed an employee of the month award. Anyone, including the young people, can nominate a member of staff for this award. The most recent recipient was one of the senior staff who ‘went above and beyond’ to make the young people’s Christmas very special. This included a handmade personalised Christmas stocking for each young person. The registered manager and senior managers recently attended a police awards ceremony where they were presented with an excellent working in partnership award.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and senior staff operate a robust recruitment procedure, which helps to protect young people from those who may wish to harm them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor visits regularly, but does not consistently consult with young people’s parents or social workers to gather their views on the care provided. This is a missed opportunity for service development.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people of either sex with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is one of four children’s homes operated by a private organisation. The organisation provides an independent school that young people from this home can attend.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/10/2015 Full Good 24/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/11/2014 Full Good

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. If they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (1)(2)(a)) 31/03/2017

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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 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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