Three Gables

Inspector Phillip Morris

Inspection date 24/01/2017 Previous inspection judgement Good Enforcement action since last inspection None

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to receive good care from a committed and dedicated staff team. A young person stated, ‘The relationships with staff are good. Staff always have a laugh and spend time with us.’ Young people’s behaviour is effectively managed by the staff providing firm behavioural boundaries, structure and routine. As a result, in this home praise has become fundamental to the care provided, with the use of consequences being rare. On the occasions where the behaviour of young people deteriorates, staff manage the situations well through perseverance and with understanding that emotions and feelings often manifest themselves through negative behaviour. This has meant that staff have not had to resort to using physical interventions. Instead they utilise various approaches in raising young people’s awareness of the impact of their behaviour on others. For example, the staff and young people sit down in meetings and openly share their feelings

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

regarding the impact on staff and others of poor behaviour. They utilise, to good effect, the services of a clinical psychologist who works with staff to look at the underlying causes of poor behaviour and actions that may help young people to express themselves in other ways. These approaches help young people to develop self-awareness and empathy for others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff understand that meaningful engagement in education is crucial to young people’s future prospects, and actively support their participation. For example, one young person was refusing education as he had had a disagreement with a teacher at school and was reluctant to attend. The staff responded immediately, took him to school, met with the teacher and resolved the problem. The young person now understands that school attendance is crucial and problems should be resolved not avoided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health needs remain a priority for the manager and staff. All young people are registered with primary health care professionals. Annual health care assessments take place and any identified actions are completed immediately. Some young people continue to smoke. In response staff have completed individual work with young people to help them reduce or stop smoking. Some young people living at the home benefit from the services of a designated psychologist who carries out individual work with them. The psychologist also provides advice, consultation and support to staff through regular team meetings and individual meetings. This supports and helps the staff understand and meet the young people’s emotional and psychological needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff and managers understand the importance of young people maintaining relationships with family members and those important to them. Young people spend time with their families in line with their agreed contact plans. Staff will accompany young people when they visit their families, monitoring the young people’s welfare and ensuring a positive and enjoyable experience for all concerned. Consequently, these important relationships are preserved, which is of massive benefit to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive good training and developmental opportunities, and say they feel well supported by managers. Staff receive regular professional supervision, guidance, and direction. This supports both their care practice with young people and them feeling a valued member of the staff team. This means that young people receive good care from a well-trained and supported staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy and benefit from a wide range of recreational activities. The staff and manager place a high priority on young people experiencing a wide range of activities. For example, one young person attends and enjoys the sea cadets, has sailing lessons and horse riding. Another young person enjoys attending the gym and is taking driving lessons. This helps young people improve and develop their self-esteem and confidence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has responded to the requirements made at the last inspection. The manager and staff have taken action to improve young people’s behaviour. This includes greater levels of consultation with the psychologist and the implementation of more regular meetings with young people regarding behaviours, and the impact these have upon others living at the home. The manager has ensured that visitors to the home sign in and their whereabouts are always known. Fire equipment is now available, with appropriate signage. The manager and staff have made many improvements to the physical environment of the home. The young people’s rooms have been improved with new furniture, and the rest of the home has been re-decorated and has had new carpets. The manager has not yet ensured the removal of window restraints on the ground floor; these present as institutional and detract from what is otherwise a pleasant and comfortable home.

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Information about this children's home

This home is operated by the local authority and can accommodate up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/05/2016 Full Good 10/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/07/2015 Full Good 27/01/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  For children's homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children's homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than 'institutional' impression. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 15, para, 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 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 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, workbased 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

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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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