Children's home run by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

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

The three requirements made in relation to the kitchen area, young people’s education and first aid training at the last full inspection have now been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The damaged kitchen has now been replaced with a new fitted kitchen. This has significantly improved this area of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Access to appropriate education provision for some young people had been difficult. The registered manager has challenged, and continues to challenge, the education department and virtual head on these issues. As a result of her persistence, she has ensured that young people’s educational needs have been identified and appropriate resources have been made available, so that their learning opportunities can continue. This has resulted in all three young people now having some form of education provision in place, until suitable school or college placements can be found.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The majority of staff have now completed the relevant first aid training. This ensures that at least one competent person is available in the home at all times, should young people need basic first aid attention before seeking professional medical advice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendation made in relation to the internal environment of the home at the last full inspection is not met. At the point of the last full inspection, the home presented in a poor state of decoration. Since that time, some improvements have been made. However, work is still outstanding in relation to the replacement of damaged door frames, installation of suitable flooring and improvement to the decoration of the home, including young people’s bedrooms. The recommendation from the last full inspection is made again at this inspection. This is to ensure that the home’s environment is welcoming, so that young people feel comfortable and confident to bring their friends into the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no new young people accommodated in the home following the last full inspection. Planning for a new admission into the home follows robust procedures. For example, the management team carefully reviews compatibility and known risks, to limit the potential for any adverse impact to existing young people living in the home. Most young people have lived in the home for some considerable time. They are settled and consider this to be their home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No young people have moved on from the home following the last full inspection. Staff support young people daily in preparation for them to make the transition to independence in a planned and constructive way. Young people who are approaching adulthood undertake independence programmes to prepare them for their move from the home to independent living, and the realities they may face.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between young people and staff are positive, encouraging and fun. Young people have trust in the adults who care for them. They are able to accept the support that staff offer, and this supports them to manage their emotions and increase their confidence. Young people’s behaviour is improving. They are taking more responsibility for themselves and moving forward positively towards adulthood.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A structured therapy programme supports young people to address their attachment issues. Effective partnership working between the home and the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) supports young people to engage in what is a difficult process. Following assessment, these arrangements provide young people and staff with an agreeable plan of care. This supports young people who have emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. CAMHS provides staff with help and advice to deal with behavioural or other problems that young people may be experiencing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interactions between young people and staff were observed by the inspector. Staff were caring and nurturing while providing appropriate guidance and control. This calming, guiding approach enables young people to learn to behave positively through non-confrontational means, reducing conflict and increasing cooperation. Behaviour management strategies are effective and have significantly reduced occasions when physical interventions are used.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of young people going missing from the home have significantly reduced. When this has happened staff adhere to good working practices and procedures. The recorded dialogue provides a comprehensive chronology of events. Collaborative working with the police ensures that young people return home safe and well. Young people are provided with the opportunity for an independent return home interview. This allows staff to gather intelligence and monitor young people’s risk assessments. Young people’s risk assessments are meaningful documents that develop in line with their changing needs. Staff regularly update any new information, risks and strategies to minimise the risks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are provided with clear boundaries, structure and routines. The consistency and clarity about expectations assist the young people to feel safe and secure. These arrangements have successfully reduced the risk from high to low of one young person, where previously they were suspected to be at risk from child sexual exploitation. Young people are given good guidance through effective key work sessions. There is an innovative arrangement in place for accessing a social media site that is set up solely for the home, young people and staff. This generates discussions and scenarios on keeping safe, and has been successful in replacing the young people’s weekly meetings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Discussions with the young people at the inspection were positive. They confirmed that they are happy living in the home, and that everyone gets on well with each other. Young people did not raise any concerns with the inspector, and demonstrated well what they can do and who they can go to if they have a complaint about the care they receive in the home. Staff spend time with the young people and know them well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff follow detailed placement plans which provide clarity and insight about young people’s needs. The plans focus on therapeutic needs and how staff support young people to address them. Plans are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in needs. The registered manager continues to review and monitor the effective running of the home. The registered manager works closely with the independent person, and swiftly responds to suggestions and recommendations made by them. The management team knows the strengths of the home and the areas for development. Each month the management team and staff review the quality of care provided. This progress review evaluates matters relating to young people’s development, experiences and achievements, and includes consultation with the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress in the home. The staff who support them to achieve this progress feel supported by the management team, through regular supervisions, appraisal and team meetings. The registered manager is not afraid to challenge professionals or services to ensure that young people receive the necessary support they require.

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a local authority, and is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people who have emotional and/or learning difficulties. The home aims to offer a secure and safe environment where young people may live and be assisted to reach their full potential until they are either ready to live independently, return home, live within an alternative family or move to an alternative placement in line with the young people’s assessed needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/10/2016 Full Good 03/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 14/12/2015 Full Requires improvement 17/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Children in residential care may be worried about being stigmatised or bullied by their peers for being "different" because of where they live. The home's environment should be designed to take account of this, and staff should support children to talk about and help them address any concerns they have. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 16, paragraph 3.13).

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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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