Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

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 sustained effectiveness . Since the full inspection, a new manager has been appointed and registered by Ofsted. The new manager has successfully stabilised the staff team. She has a good understanding of the strengths of the service and the areas that still require improvement. She is using a clear development plan as well as internal and external quality assurance systems to improve practice and outcomes for young people. Four requirements were made at the last inspection. Two of the requirements have not been met in full. The registered manager has been proactive in asking for support from a range of professionals. However, the local authority has still not secured a formal induction and probation process for registered managers. There remains a need to review the staffing structure to ensure that there is sufficient

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

cover for periods of annual leave, sickness and staff vacancies. Despite these two ongoing shortfalls, the manager has taken action to ensure that the staff can meet young people’s needs. This has resulted in the manager quickly identifying that some young people’s needs could not be met and challenging other professionals to ensure that moves took place. Two new young people have moved in since the last inspection. The registered manager and staff team are using impact risk assessments and detailed transition plans to help the young people to settle into the home. Both young people are making good progress because of this good planning. Staff have built relationships with the young people. Consequently, young people have learned new life skills. Young people take up positive opportunities to develop friendships, new interests and hobbies. Their educational achievements and attendance have improved because of their placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a clear understanding of how to manage any safeguarding allegations. They receive regular safeguarding training, which includes a range of topics including children who go missing from home and awareness raising in relation to child sexual exploitation. When young people make poor choices or decisions that put them at risk, such as going missing from care or forming inappropriate relationships, the staff follow the correct safeguarding procedures. Positive relationships with partnership agencies ensure that action is taken to safeguard young people.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority operated home. It provides care and accommodation for three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/03/2016 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) meet(s) the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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

13. In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must enable, inspire and lead a culture in relation to the children’s home that— (a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (b) promotes their welfare. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child (d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. This specifically relates to reviewing the staffing structure to ensure that it is sufficient to cover periods of annual leave, sickness and staff vacancies. 01/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation 33(1)(a)) This specifically relates to senior staff and registered managers. 01/06/2017

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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 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. Whenever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors 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 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: 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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