Children's home run by Young Foundations Limited in Wirral

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to lead a stable staff team that is child-focused, attentive and caring in its approach. Young people thrive and make progress because of the exceptional care that they receive. Young people continue to feel that there are no barriers to their development and progress. Consequently, they lead full and active lives and their emotional and mental health improve.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been one new admission. The registered manager’s proactive and diligent approach means that young people are provided with the very best support to manage these transitions successfully.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to place a high value on education, and work collaboratively with young people and schools to overcome barriers to engagement. For example, when one young person was struggling to cope in education a planning meeting was swiftly arranged with a short-term alternative plan agreed. This prevented the young person from disengaging from the learning and enabled them to continue to work towards achieving their educational objectives.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recently the registered manager has secured additional funding for a clinical psychologist to work at the home for an additional one day per week. Links between the staff and the clinical therapy team have gone from strength to strength, with regular communication, consultation and advice. This provides the foundation for staff to offer young people the therapeutic care that they require. As a result, staff understand the young people’s emotional health needs well and consequently there are signs of improvements in young people’s emotional resilience. Staff work collaboratively with the clinical team to ensure that young people have every opportunity to develop. Through a process of assessment, one young person has received a recent diagnosis and in response to this has had a medication review. As a direct consequence of this individualised care there has been a remarkable improvement in this young person’s communication and

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

emotional health. This significantly enhances the quality of life for this young person and promotes his life chances.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has maintained positive working relationships with all relevant partner agencies, including school, police and placing authorities. This enables the registered manager and staff to act as effective advocates for young people. For example, the registered manager ensures that young people are able to contribute to their care planning by supporting the young people to understand the options available to them and communicating their views to the relevant placing authority.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff consistently refer safeguarding incidents to the relevant professionals and work collaboratively to manage risks. Some young people have self-harming since the last inspection. Staff respond well to all incidents and work very effectively and creatively with other agencies. Strong relationships with the police, clinical services and local authorities are utilised to protect young people from harm, in these circumstances. The registered manager’s reflective and analytical approach means that the triggers to these behaviours are well understood, and effective measures are in place to manage the identified risks.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to vigorously pursue opportunities that enable young people to take part in their wider community. For example, one young person was recently supported to attend cadets. Staff encourage young people to prepare for adulthood by acquiring life skills. This includes engaging in work experience. These experiences allow young people to increase their self-esteem, confidence and sense of personal identity.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no emerging shortfalls identified at this inspection.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide for six young people who have mental disorders and learning difficulties. Young people may stay after the age of 18 to complete their education. The home is one of two operated nationally by a private organisation. A DfE-registered school also operates on the site, in a separate building. Some young people may attend this school.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/07/2016 Full Outstanding 24/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/01/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/06/2014 Full Adequate

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 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.

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