Preston Springs Farmhouse

Inspector Dawn Bennett

Inspection date 16/01/2017 Previous inspection judgement Good Enforcement action since last inspection None

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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

All young people are making good social, emotional and educational progress. Their success in achieving targets is monitored and their achievements are celebrated and rewarded. Young people are fully engaged and are positive about the home and staff team. One young person stated: ‘The staff genuinely care about us and are interested in our well-being.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are consulted and encouraged to express their views and share ideas. Staff listen to young people and ensure that their views are gathered and where possible acted upon. This is central to agreeing day-to-day arrangements for activities and menu choices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have excellent understanding of the needs of each young person. Young people feel listened to and safe. Incidents do not escalate, there have been no missing-from-care episodes for the three young people currently living at the home and the need for physical intervention is low. Rare safeguarding concerns are appropriately responded to in partnership with the local authority.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A highly committed and motivated registered manager and deputy effectively manage the home. They have helped to bring about positive changes since newly appointed prior to the last inspection. They are passionate about the service and know the young people well. Residency numbers have increased, as have staff numbers. The environment has been further enhanced with new furniture, photos and art work. Staff have worked hard to ensure that the young people’s views are captured more clearly. Managers have ensured incidents, and therefore the need for partner agency’s involvement, have reduced. As a result of this work they have fostered relationships with partner agencies that are now very positive about the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team provides consistent care for young people. All staff work well together and there are now low sickness rates. Where necessary, staff will cover shifts to ensure that there are no shortfalls in staffing levels and agency staff are not required. The registered manager continues to develop the service and improve outcomes for young people. She makes excellent use of the internal quality assurance tool. She effectively monitors and reflects on practice, and feeds areas for development into the home’s action plan.

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is operated by an independent provider who also operates a large number of other children's homes and schools. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Packages of care may include therapy and education.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/07/2016 Full Good 15/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 15/06/2015 Full Good 05/03/2015 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, workbased 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

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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