Children's home SC443544

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been a number of changes to staff and managers since the last inspection. The home has an interim manager while interviews for the permanent post are planned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager is an experienced manager and was previously a deputy in this home. She is familiar with the structure of the staff group, and the purpose and function of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous inspection identified that quality assurance mechanisms needed to be improved to ensure that there is consistently good information about all of the children and young people. It also identified weaknesses in demonstrating progress for young people who are not in education, training and employment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

These issues have been addressed because the manager and senior staff attended refresher training to enhance their skills and knowledge in effective quality assurance processes. In addition, the staff have received training in how to help motivate young people to achieve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This inspection found that there has been slow progress in effecting change in one young person’s engagement with education, training and employment. Staff, and the education coordinator for the provider, have liaised with various resources to encourage this young person to engage. However, consistently clear expectations about attending education and training had not been established from the start. A requirement has been made to address this. The education coordinator for the home has been invited to join a multi-agency problem-solving forum that has recently been developed by the local authority. He is optimistic that this will help this young person make progress in their education attendance and engagement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been slow progress in the development and application of quality assurance systems. Since the current manager has been in post, some changes have been implemented. The interim manager recognises that it is early days to see an impact from the measures she has introduced. She is continuing to drive improvements in children’s progress and the maintenance of records in team meetings, learning circles and individual supervisions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, young people have moved on in line with decisions made in statutory reviews and multi-agency meetings. Two young people have moved to independent accommodation, and two young people have moved to placements that better meet their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were a number of significant safeguarding concerns in respect of one young person who has moved to a more appropriate placement. Staff followed safeguarding procedures and liaised with case-responsible social workers, the police and health professionals. These actions helped to keep this young person safe. Managers and senior staff have also attended and contributed to multi- agency strategy meetings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are good arrangements for partnership working. A police spokesperson provided very positive feedback about working with staff, including joint awareness-raising work about drug paraphernalia. They referred to, ‘an open and transparent way of working that was refreshing’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are good at meeting needs that stem from young people’s culture, heritage or background. For example, they have ensured that information is translated for the family of one young person. They have also ensured that an interpreter is available for some contact arrangements and meetings at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are proactive in supporting contact arrangements with family and friends. Young people are encouraged and supported to develop interests and take up opportunities for activities. They are developing positive relationships with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a relaxed, calm environment in which young people interact positively with staff. One young person said: ‘I like living here, it has not taken me long to settle, staff have helped with this. This feels like a stable home to me, which I am glad about because I want to do well in school and then be able to live in my own place.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Key work sessions (individual work) are used effectively to support young people. There are some very good examples of sessions addressing sensitive issues for young people such as whether they feel safe, self-harming behaviour, and substance misuse. These could be improved by including any assessments or actions agreed with the young person. The practice of capturing young people’s contribution to, and understanding of, their records and plans could be strengthened. A recommendation is made to improve this practice. In addition, the welcome pack for young people requires updating so that it includes clearer messages about peer relationships, bullying and smoking.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The current manager has demonstrated good leadership skills. She is ensuring that there are constructive, useful team meetings and regular individual supervision for staff. In both, young people’s needs are discussed. For example, in one team meeting, some new concerning behaviour presented by a young person was discussed. A response to the behaviour was agreed that has resulted in a significant reduction of risk.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children’s home, which provides up to three placements for children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/07/2016 Full Good 18/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 02/12/2015 Full Good 17/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

8 (2) (a) (iv) The registered manager to ensure that staff help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment. 01/05/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Children should be encouraged to see their records as 'living documents’, supporting them to view and contribute to the record in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 58, paragraph 11.19)

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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

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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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