Children's home run by ROC Northwest Limited in Westmorland and Furness

inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . The home has enjoyed a good period of stability since the last inspection, with no changes to the young people who live there. There have been very few changes to the staff team. One new staff member has been appointed. They were very complimentary about their induction and the support that they have received to gain an understanding of their role as a care worker. All the young people have continued to make outstanding progress and have experienced positive outcomes in many areas of their lives. They continue to engage positively in their education, attending colleges of their choice. Reports of their progress from education professionals demonstrate that they attend regularly and are achieving good results. One young person recently received an award from the Prince’s Trust for his

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positive engagement and successful completion of a programme. He attended an award ceremony and gave a speech. He spoke about this and was rightly very proud of his achievement. The young people who live at this home engage positively in their local community. One young person regularly carries out voluntary work at a local animal rescue centre. Another was recently involved in a programme, which involved filling shoe boxes with helpful items for people in need. Supporting young people to help others gives them a sense of pride and well-being, as well as the opportunity to gain valuable skills. A young person who lives at the home has been successful in obtaining a part-time job. He has performed well in his job, and staff commented that he is highly regarded by his colleagues. The young person spoke about his enjoyment of saving up his wages to buy nice things and showed some of his recent purchases. His

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sense of pride and achievement was evident. All the young people who live at the home are of an age at which they will soon be moving towards independent living. Staff are strongly supporting them to gain skills that will assist them to succeed as independent young adults. Each young person has a comprehensive progression plan in place, which is centred on their individual needs and wishes. The plans include clear goals towards which the young people’s progression is carefully monitored. Young people regularly write comments on their progression plans and share how they feel about their progress and what they would like to achieve next. An external professional recently described the progression work as ‘exceptional’ and commented that it was some of the best work they had seen in any children’s home. Young people’s meetings have been enhanced, and each meeting now includes an information session and quiz about important issues. Recent topics covered have

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included child sexual exploitation and internet safety, and areas such as alcohol use and sexual health are planned for the future. This is helping to equip the young people with knowledge that will support them in maintaining their own personal safety in the future. As young people increase in independence, changing risks are managed carefully. Positive risk taking is supported and monitored, to help to ensure that the young people’s safety and well-being are protected. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated, to help to ensure that staff are aware of young people’s changing needs. There are no concerns about any of the young people’s behaviour outside the home. They use their free time wisely and return at agreed times. They have positive friendships outside the home, which are encouraged and supported by staff. There have been no incidents of young people being missing or absent from the home. Supporting young people to avoid high-risk behaviours helps to keep

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them safe. Young people continue to engage well with staff. It is evident that they enjoy positive relationships, and incidents of negative behaviours are rare. There have been no instances requiring staff to physically intervene since the last inspection. The registered manager has recently improved the system for rewarding positive behaviour. The young people like this system and are fully on board with it. The use of sanctions is available to staff but rarely required. Positive behaviour support, such as this, promotes the young people’s sense of pride, achievement and emotional well-being. The registered manager continues to manage the home effectively. Since the last inspection, the registered manager has obtained his level 5 qualification. The registered manager demonstrates a child-centred approach and a commitment to constant improvement. A recent report submitted to Ofsted by the registered manager included a number of ideas about how to develop the service further.

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Since the last inspection, the registered manager has developed the home’s quality assurance processes. These developments include enhanced auditing processes and improved monitoring for areas such as supervision and complaints. The registered manager’s positive approach towards continuous development means that young people benefit from a constantly improving service.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is one of a number of homes operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2016 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 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.

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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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