Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The home has remained well maintained and staff have introduced new photographs of young people, which make the living rooms feel more homely. There is currently only one young person accommodated and she has settled and developed warm and trusting relationships with staff. Staff support her emotional well-being. This extends to ensuring that she has regular family contact. The young person has fun with the enthusiastic staff who have taken her to football and to a dry ski slope and play pool with her. This helps her to stay physically fit and develops her self-esteem and confidence. The young person has now started school after a lengthy period of non- attendance. The stability and security provided to her by the placement have enabled her to accept her need for counselling in order to address her emotional

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

needs. Staff worked effectively with other young people, who have left the home since the last inspection. They helped one young person to develop independence skills and to confidently move to independence. Staff have visited him in his new home to offer ongoing support and to ensure that he is managing by himself. Another young person made progress in his education and his ability to manage his emotions and behaviour. He was able to return home, following intensive work by staff to support contact and develop positive family relationships. Highly trained staff have continued to keep young people safe. Key work with the young people has helped them to learn to keep themselves safe. The young person who is in placement has not self-harmed, had unauthorised absences or gone missing since she arrived. These behaviours had previously been a significant concern. One young person who left for independence chose to spend periods

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

away from the home. Staff worked closely with his social worker to agree and review detailed risk assessments and strategies to keep him safe when he was away from the home. Staff have received additional training in awareness of the risks of child sexual exploitation and safeguarding, which enables them to keep young people safer. When young people have been challenging or violent, staff have managed their behaviour appropriately and ensured that they have kept other young people in the home safe. The registered manager and staff have maintained the good standards of care and safety and the home has a full staff team to provide consistent care for young people. The registered manager has responded positively to the requirements from the previous inspection, resulting in increased knowledge and practice regarding child sexual exploitation and safeguarding and a full staff team.

p.2

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people, irrespective of gender, who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned and is adjacent to the organisation’s other home.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

25/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

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.5

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.

p.5

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.5

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.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

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.6