Children's home run by Derby City Council in Derby

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 last full inspection, staff in the home have experienced a very challenging time. There have been staffing difficulties, brought about by sickness and changes in personnel. In addition, staff have been dealing with significant behavioural issues, including assaults, racial abuse and damage to the fabric of the building. It is to their credit that they been able to maintain their commitment and sustain the level of good childcare practice that was evident at the full inspection. However, although the issues are now resolved, there has not been time to bring about the further developments that the management team has identified. Three of the six children and young people in the home are very recent arrivals and are still in the process of settling in. The remaining three young people are settled,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

happy and generally doing well in various ways. There are positive interactions between staff and young people, and one young person commented: ‘Staff are willing to go out and do things with you.’ Although there are no immediate plans for their transition from the home, all are engaged in independence work so that they are equipped with the necessary practical skills when they move on. One young person, who came to the home with a history of aggression towards staff and damage to property, has not exhibited this behaviour here. He is undertaking a college course, and his relationships with staff are good. Another young person is very well settled and is attending college regularly. One young person remains at some risk, despite the best efforts of staff and the involvement of a variety of agencies. However, she is more settled and safer than she was; she manages her anger more appropriately and she acknowledges that staff do their best to support

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

her. Transitions into and out of the home are well managed. There have been three planned discharges from the home since the last inspection, one of which was a return to parents, and the other two to alternative placements. The children and young people were supported in their moves through visits and information sharing about the new placements. Of the three recent admissions, one child was admitted as an emergency and the other two were planned. Children and young people are made welcome and given information to enable them to settle. The manager has encouraged staff to think about what it must be like for a child to come to live in a children’s home, in order for staff to fully understand, empathise and provide the necessary support. The manager has good systems in place to ensure that he has effective oversight of the home, in conjunction with the deputy manager and the level three residential childcare workers. There are regular case file audits, as well as the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

internal and external monthly monitoring to drive improvement. Reflective practice underpins the work of this home. The senior team demonstrates passion, aspiration and innovation. Managers also recognise the need for staff to be reminded regularly of the basics which underpin their practice, such as managing physical intervention and how to respond to children who go missing. The staff meeting now incorporates protected time for this to occur. Despite the challenges of the last few months, staff say they became more united and supportive as a team, developed their resilience and became more consistent in their approach. They also derived a lot of learning from the experience, including utilising the expertise and insight of the emotional health and well-being team. Staff work hard to keep children and young people safe. They have a robust understanding of safeguarding procedures and are prepared to challenge partners

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

if they feel the right action is not being taken. For example, the manager has recently pressed for a strategy meeting to be held rather than a professionals’ meeting, to ensure that full information sharing takes place in a decision-making forum. The manager is the local authority lead for missing children from residential care, which affords him the opportunity to liaise regularly with the relevant partners and share information. One young person is assessed as being at risk of sexual exploitation. The young person is receiving support from a number of sources to minimise this risk, and any unauthorised absences or episodes of being missing from care are managed well. One young person is missing on a regular basis. Appropriate action has been taken to try and locate him, and all the relevant agencies have been informed. When young people are at risk from drug and alcohol misuse, support and information are sought from local specialist agencies

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that deal with this issue. Young people who self-harm are supported through referral to the child and adolescent mental health service, as well as staff intervention. Partnership working is a real strength of this home. A case manager from the youth offending service said: ‘It’s really good. They facilitate my visits, and sharing information is really good.’ The local police community support officer commented: ‘We have a good working relationship. They keep us in the loop.’ This does not prevent the airing of professional differences and challenge, however; but, in a way, this is effective in enabling a shared understanding and approach. The children in care named nurse is a regular visitor to the home, and reports that there is a good relationship and appropriate information sharing. A social worker was similarly positive about communication and support. Effective partnership working ensures that all the relevant services are accessed in order to meet a

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

child’s or young person’s needs, the support provided is consistent, and that agencies are held to account. Parents also play an important part in their child’s life, where this is appropriate. One parent said: ‘We are very much a part of what is going on. Communication is brilliant and staff are very friendly. It is all positive.’ This ensures that children and young people continue to benefit from relationships that are important to them. One requirement was made at the last inspection. This related to the recording of physical intervention. In the records examined at this inspection, all appropriate action in relation to physical intervention had been taken and recorded. The manager has developed a system to ensure that the shortfall identified will not happen again. This ensures that staff and young people are given the opportunity to express their views, there is managerial oversight, and practice can be reflected

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for six children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

08/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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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