Children's home run by Semi-independent House Limited in Peterborough

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection. This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved in effectiveness . The managers have addressed both of the recommendations made at the last inspection. The staff have completed the relevant refresher training courses. The revised training matrix now details the expiry dates of each certificate and facilitates easier identification of when refresher training is due. The managers have modified the supervision format to ensure that the staff have an opportunity to use the sessions to reflect on their practice, their development and the needs of the children. Two children have left the home and two children have moved in. One child, having lived at the home for over a year, was working through a preparation for independence plan. His placing authority unexpectedly brought his move forward.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This led to a steep decline in the child’s behaviour and resulted in the home having to end his placement to ensure the safety of the other children. The other child who left had a history of running away from home. Prior to leaving he was missing from home for an extended period. Throughout his absence the managers and the staff team made repeated attempts to contact him and searched the local community on a daily basis. The managers provided Ofsted and the placing authority with daily updates on their attempts to locate him. The placing authority ended his placement during his prolonged absence. When he returned to the home, safe and well, the staff informed his placing authority and the police and he is now residing elsewhere. Children do not generally go missing and the actions of the home demonstrate the staff’s commitment to ensuring that the children are safe. The managers complete a compatibility assessment prior to children moving in to

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

the home to ensure that the mix of children is suitable and that the staff can meet their needs effectively. The children speak positively about the welcome and introduction that they received from both the staff and the other children. The children are positive about the care that they are receiving. They say that they feel safe and that they can identify adults who they would speak to if this changed. The children describe how the staff incorporate a variety of activities into their weekly plans. The interactions between the staff and the children are nurturing, warm and include a lot of humour, while maintaining the expected boundaries. This supports the children’s ability to start building positive relationships and to start addressing some of the issues that led to them moving into the home. The managers are working with the relevant placing authorities to secure full-time education for each of the children. At present, one child has a very limited

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

timetable at school, another is having home tuition and there is no identified education provision for the child who recently moved in. A professional said, ‘The staff’s attempts to secure education for the children are supportive and proactive. They advocate terribly well.’ There is a low number of significant incidents and these include some episodes of self-harm. The incidents mainly relate to one child and are reducing as he becomes increasingly settled. There has been no use of physical intervention in nearly two years. The staff team members still undergo physical intervention training to ensure that they maintain the required knowledge of safe techniques should the need for an intervention arise. An independent visitor’s monthly reports detail whether the staff are meeting the children’s needs. However, they do not specify the visitor’s view on whether the children are safe and protected. This is an important part of the monitoring and

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

reporting process that is intended to provide an additional safeguard for the children. There are pictures of children, past and present, all around the house, which gives a homely feel. Some areas of the home show signs of extensive use and would benefit from redecoration to promote the children’s sense of pride in their surroundings. Professionals are complimentary about the staff’s ability to work in partnership with them and with the children. They say:  ‘Communication with them [the staff] is brilliant. They are going over and above trying to sort out education.’  ‘They are firm and fair. They seem to be keeping him safer than when he is at home. They negotiate with him and he even hands his phone in at night. Something he would not do at home or at school.’  ‘I like the deputy manager’s straightforward approach.’ A parent was equally as positive. They said, ‘The staff are fantastic with him. I

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

have peace of mind knowing he is there. He is 100% safer than any other home he has been in. He has not run away once. Thanks to the staff we now have a better relationship.’

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home can accommodate up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The responsible individual for the service manages this home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/10/2016 Full Good 15/12/2015 Full Good 15/05/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 13/01/2015 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

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ('the independent person's report') which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)) 27/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Provide a nurturing and supportive environment that is homely, in particular maintaining the upkeep of the decor. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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 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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