Children's Home run by ROC Northwest Limited in Lancashire

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged requires improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home benefits from effective leadership provided by the recently registered manager. The registered manager is suitably experienced and is undertaking the level 5 leadership and management award to further enhance his skills.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A number of requirements were made at the last inspection. These were in relation to risk management and safeguarding, the provision of a safe environment for young people and effective engagement with external agencies. The registered manager has taken robust action and was able to demonstrate during this inspection that the requirements have been addressed, and that a number of significant improvements have been made across the service.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Quality assurance systems have been reviewed and there is an improved level of governance within the home. The registered manager has introduced a number of processes to enable him to monitor safety and quality effectively across the service on a day-to-day basis. These include a daily ‘walk around’ during which a variety of quality and safety checks are carried out. This helps to ensure that young people are provided with safe accommodation.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Processes to assess risks to young people have been improved. Clear risk assessments are in place along with guidance for staff about how to support young people in a safe manner. Risk assessments are now regularly reviewed and updated so that changes in young people’s needs or circumstances are taken into account.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Safeguarding procedures have been updated and all staff have been made aware of the procedures that must be followed when a safeguarding concern is identified. A recent safeguarding concern raised at the home was managed in a satisfactory manner and the correct scheme of delegation was followed. The registered manager ensured that the appropriate authorities were informed and kept a clear chronology of the actions taken. Ensuring that the correct procedures are followed helps to safeguard young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered manager is able to demonstrate that he works effectively with external agencies to help ensure that young people receive appropriate support. Comprehensive chronologies are maintained, which detail all contact with external agencies and demonstrate that the registered manager challenges other services when appropriate. This robust action has led to improvements in outcomes for several young people, for example in relation to education provision and transition planning.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The young people who live at the home have made good progress since the last inspection. One young person has moved on from the home to an appropriate adult service. A further two young people are soon due to move to semi- independent living. Their progression plans demonstrate that staff have supported them to complete independence training. One young person commented that they were looking forward to taking their first steps into adulthood and felt well prepared for their move.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There has been one young person admitted to the home since the last inspection. This young person’s care records show that their admission was carefully considered. The registered manager completed a thorough risk assessment to help ensure that the young person could be supported in a safe and effective manner, prior to agreeing to offer them a place at the home. The young person has settled extremely well in the home and has made positive relationships with staff and other young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

At the previous inspection it was noted that the provision of education for two young people required improvement. The registered manager has taken positive action, and as a result both young people now have full-time education placements and are progressing well in this area. These improvements are due to the registered manager’s proactive and effective liaison with external agencies.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered manager has reviewed the provision of meals for young people and has made improvements to menus. Young people are now provided with more wholesome and nutritious diets and they are encouraged to eat fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. This supports their good health and general well-being.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered manager closely monitors young people’s meetings and individual key-worker sessions. He uses an audit tool to assess whether staff have taken appropriate action in response to requests or views raised by the young people within these forums. This helps to ensure that young people have a voice and that their views and opinions are acted upon.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff rotas demonstrate that young people receive their care from a stable and consistent staff team. This supports the young people to develop trusting relationships with staff and helps to ensure that they are cared for by people who know them well and understand their needs.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to accommodate up to seven young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. The home provides accommodation for up to five young people in the main building and two young people in a separate annex. The home is owned by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/09/2016 Full Requires improvement 05/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 12/05/2015 Full Good

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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 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 0300123 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 looked after children 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

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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