Children's home run by The Ryes College Limited in Babergh

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were six requirements and one recommendation at the last inspection. Five requirements have been met, and one will be repeated. The recommendation has been met. A new manager has been in post since the last inspection and has the relevant experience and qualifications to manage the home. She has a clear vision of how she wants the home to progress and is supported by an experienced deputy manager. Two children have recently moved from the home. The transitions were completed quickly due to the children’s circumstances. The staff have kept in contact to support both of the children. One child was able to come back to the home to say goodbye to the staff and was able to have a positive ending. There have been two recent admissions to the home. One child moved from a local sister home. He has settled well and has progressed with his education and is now attending school full time. He has also progressed with his personal hygiene and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

will openly discuss any issues with staff. He has commented to the staff in keywork sessions that he is happy at the home. The manager went to visit the second child, and a plan was put in place for him to move into the home. He has settled in well and is starting to build positive relationships with the staff. The home has been through a difficult few months, due to some of the children’s behaviours. The staff have worked consistently to address any challenging behaviour to support the children to learn to manage their behaviours and any risks. There is good evidence that behaviours are discussed in keywork sessions and house meetings. The children who have recently moved to the home have started to progress. The staff have built positive relationships and challenge any unwanted behaviours appropriately. The manager is working closely with other agencies to ensure that the children’s health needs are addressed and actioned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have begun to participate in activities in the community, supported by the staff. This gives them the opportunity to mix with their peers and to build positive relationships. The staff understand the importance of attending education. The children have high attendance at the organisation’s school. Education is discussed in keywork sessions and in the daily records. These records show that the staff encourage and support the children to attend school. The children are supported with developing their independence according to their age, understanding and ability. The staff understand that independence is individual to each child. Individualised programmes are in place to support the children. A child who recently moved from the home to semi-independence is doing well. The staff are receiving regular supervision to support them in working with the children. The quality of records of supervisions has improved. There are regular

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff meetings. This gives the staff the opportunity to discuss working with the children and helps with consistency. A clinical psychologist attends some meetings to support the staff in looking at and managing the children’s behaviours. He commented that the staff are eager to learn and work with him to improve the outcomes for the children. The staff have all attended safeguarding training. However, there was an incident when the staff failed to follow the home’s procedures. This was reported to the designated officer, who was happy for the manager to investigate. There is evidence of a robust investigation and action taken. The children attend regular residents’ meetings and they have the opportunity to discuss their wishes and feelings. The staff use these meetings to recognise and praise children’s achievements. They also discuss rules and behaviours in the house, activities, menus and things that the children want for the house. This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

shows that the staff listen to and act on the children’s wishes and feelings. The staff complete a scrapbook with each of the children. This contains photos and certificates and helps to build positive memories of the child’s time in the home. There has been one complaint since the last inspection. This was fully investigated and resolved. The child refused to comment and this was recorded. The staff recognise incidents of bullying. They complete keywork sessions with the children and update risk assessments. However, there is no record of the outcome or if the children are happy with the action taken. There have been 44 incidents of children missing from care. The majority of these were two children going off together for short periods. The staff put different incentives and activities in place to try to deter the children from leaving the home. The staff actively look for the children who go missing. The children receive a

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

return to home interview. One child went missing for over a week. During that time the staff were actively searching, following leads and working closely with the police until he returned to the home. Since the two boys have left the home, there have been no incidents of children going missing. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. They contain potential risks in both the home and the community, with strategies for reducing and minimising risk. These support the staff in working with the children to keep them safe. The home is in a rural location set in large grounds. The house is clean and tidy, and significant redecoration has been completed. However, some areas, in particular the lounge, still lack a warm and inviting feel. The children’s bedrooms are spacious and decorated to a good standard. They have chosen the decor and have been able to personalise their bedrooms.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is one of three children’s homes run by a private organisation which also operates two schools. One of the schools is on the same site as this children’s home. The home provides accommodation for up to six children who have learning difficulties and/or emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 09/12/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/07/2015 Full Good 06/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure (2)(a) that staff: (2)(v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. 25/04/17

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of the children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) This is in regard to the communal areas of the home.  The registered person must ensure that procedures for dealing with allegations of bullying are in place. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.16) This is in regards to staff ensuring that children are asked about the allegations and it is recorded that they are happy with the outcome.

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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 at 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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