Children's home run by Positive Steps (Care Services) Limited in Peterborough

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged to require improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved in effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff have reflected on the outcome of the previous inspection and put in place actions to improve this service. The manager has met the three requirements raised at the last inspection. She has arranged for all of the staff to complete training in safeguarding and, in particular, safeguarding for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Alongside this, the manager has arranged for the staff to meet with the designated officer for safeguarding children in this locality. This has supported the staff and helped them to develop a better understanding of safeguarding procedures. It has also improved the lines of communication between the provider and the designated officer. Consequently, staff understand the processes to follow should there be a concern. The manager has also reviewed the way in which supervision meetings are recorded. Supervision now has a clear focus on safeguarding, as well as staff development. External

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

professionals have no concerns regarding the safeguarding practices in the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and senior now review all incidents and daily logs for each of the children robustly. This helps them to ensure that any actions or follow-up are completed and that safe-care practices are in place to promote the children’s welfare.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been four restraints since the last inspection. The records of these incidents are completed in line with the regulations. The manager and staff have reflected on the low-level interventions, such as redirection or guiding children away from potential self-harming behaviours. These are not restraints but are physical interventions, and the staff are now routinely recording these incidents as a way to monitor their actions and the outcomes. The manager is able to use these records to show how staff are learning to use distraction techniques. Because of this, there has been a reduction in the number of incidents of self-harm. The manager has supported staff to understand the behaviour management strategies for each child. Consequently, the staff apply these approaches at all times to meet the children’s needs. A parent said about their child, ‘The staff have provided a routine and a level of consistent care. Because of this, she is better able to manage

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

her behaviour in the community.’ The manager has reviewed the location risk assessment to ensure. It now informs the staff and others of the potential hazards in the locality and how to reduce the impact on the children. It also describes the opportunities that living in this area can offer the children. Individual risk assessments are in place to inform staff of the ways of managing aspects of the children’s behaviour. These are included in care plans and behaviour management plans, which help the staff to work effectively with the children. Impact or matching assessments are used to plan for the introduction of children into the home. The careful assessment and planning of a child recently placed helped them to settle quickly. The staff knew and understood this child’s needs, and they were able to adapt their working practices to meet these needs. The staff used these skills to introduce this child to a local school,

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

which has enabled the child to begin their education in that provision.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partner agencies speak highly of the quality of the work completed by the staff. A teacher commented, ‘Communication is brilliant between the school and the home. There was good joint work with the home, which helped an effective transition from a previous school to this. There was an open and honest discussion between the home’s staff and the school staff, which provided information on how to manage this child’s high level of anxiety.’ About the home. Discussions with the manager and a review of updated processes since the previous inspection provide confidence that any significant concerns would be managed within the agreed protocols.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are making progress because of living in this home. They have been supported to engage with education. One child has been supported, through the use of a pictorial social story, to return to school. This is a significant improvement as they had previously not been able to attend regularly. Some of the older children attend a local sixth form college. This assists the children to make friends in the community outside of the home. It also helps to prepare them for independence and to develop life skills. Staff are developing a pathway plan for the children, which includes cooking and budgeting skills. This will support further preparation for independence.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children do not go missing from this home. The staff are alert to the significant risks for these children, should they be unaccompanied in the community. In order to safeguard the children, who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, the home has suitable security processes in place to prevent them from being absent from the home. Placing authorities are in agreement with these steps to protect the children.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a comprehensive range of induction activities and ongoing training events for staff. One staff member has yet to complete the required diploma level training. The staff member works as part of a team that includes staff who hold the required qualification, and this supervision and support minimises the impact on the children.

p.3

Information about this children's home

A private organisation runs this children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who may have a learning disability.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

29/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

05/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) 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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification, the level 3 diploma for residential childcare (England) (‘the level 3 diploma’), or a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the level 3 diploma, by the relevant date. (Regulation 32 (4)(5)) 01/05/2017

p.5

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’.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates at http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7