Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Rochdale

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been stability in staffing at the home. There is a core team of staff who were in post at the time of the last inspection. In addition to these, the home has recruited a deputy manager and has a designated number of bank workers who provide support. They all know the young people well and work with them on a regular basis. This means that the young people receive continuity of care and support. They view these staff as members of their care team. One young person said: ‘All the staff here are good. They listen to me and know how to help me. I like this home, it is the best one I have lived in and they are helping me to prepare for my future when I leave here.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The introduction of a deputy manager has enabled the manager to decrease the number of shifts he works directly with young people, enabling him to have greater oversight of the impact, progress and further development of the service. He holds weekly staff meetings which all permanent staff and bank workers attend. During these meetings, as well as discussion regarding the day-to-day running of the home, progress and outcomes for young people, there are additional discussions about practice and development. And, where there is some additional training or research, these meetings provide a forum for this. One member of staff said: ‘We all work together well to provide a consistent and balanced approach in our care of the young people. This means that their lives are not overcomplicated by additional confusion of our care practice. Stability and consistency is very important and we strive to promote this at all times.’ This is reflected in the daily records and the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

recording of sanctions and restraints, which are clearer and describe actions taken and whether any follow-up is required. Where the manager has been involved in restraints, these records are viewed and commented on by another manager working for the organisation. This provides independent oversight of the incidents and offers opportunity to reflect on practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff ensure effective communication between the home, placing authorities, other professionals and parents. This is positively commented on by social workers, with one saying: ‘The staff are really good at keeping me updated on all aspects of the young person’s care. Detailed reports are provided of any incidents as well as weekly updates which reflect clearly what has been happening. The staff follow agreed procedures if he is missing from the home and ensure the emergency duty team is provided with a full and comprehensive report. They make sure he has an independent visit following any period of missing. Although the young person still has some ongoing issues, the impact the home has had on his safety, welfare and education has been significant, enabling a greater level of stability and supporting positive outcomes for him. He has an excellent relationship with staff and this is reflected in his overall engagement with the placement.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of the last inspection, some behaviour management strategies were proving ineffective, resulting in some negative behaviours within the home and the local community. The manager has spoken with neighbours who raised concerns, and reviewed how the home supports young people to manage their behaviour. Positive rewards and incentives are provided, decreasing the need for negative consequences. One young person at the home feels this is good because: ‘I used to be told I was doing things wrong at the other home. Staff here make sure they tell me when I have done something well. I think that is far better.’ Where there are concerns regarding negative behaviours, strategies are discussed with placing authority social workers and other professionals involved in the care of the young people. However, where the strategies implemented along with risk management plans do not sufficiently safeguard young people, the home continues an open

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

dialogue with placing authorities to review the placement to establish whether needs can be effectively met by the home. In the event of a placement ending, staff provide young people with reassurance and support to move on to a more suitable placement. This was clearly evident within a recent disruption meeting and is reflected in the placing social worker’s comments about the home and the support provided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have increased their understanding of the educational levels and outcomes for young people. Staff provide encouragement and support to enable young people to engage in their education. Where there is a delay in a personal education plan being completed, the manager follows this up with placing authorities, ensuring that dates for completion are in place. Educational attendance and engagement have improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager provides regular supervision with staff. This enables them to reflect on their practice and ensures that they have a good understanding of their role. Where there are any shortfalls, additional training and support provides them with the understanding and skills required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has taken steps to address the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection, including the reporting of notifiable events. However, one event which took place outside of the home but involved one of the young people living there was not notified to the regulator. Therefore, this requirement has been raised again. The recommendations with regard to missing-from-home return interviews, recording of restraints, staff knowledge of educational outcomes and the home décor have been addressed as required.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The home forms part of a large social care company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/10/2016 Full Requires improvement 18/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/08/2015 Full Good 06/02/2015 Full Requires improvement

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Statutory requirement

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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious (Regulation 40 (3)(e)). 31/03/2017

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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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