Children's home run by Pine Forest Homes Limited in Cannock Chase

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, the manager has actively addressed the shortfalls that were identified. The manager has improved young people’s preparation for adulthood. Staff now support young people to engage in structured, individualised independence programmes that add to and develop their skills and knowledge. Out of the nine requirements that were made at the last inspection, eight have been met. One requirement has been repeated to ensure that the views of young people, their parents and other professionals are considered, in order to shape and inform the home’s development or improvement. The manager has responded promptly to the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. She has begun to evaluate the quality assurance processes. The manager has established a development plan for the home. She has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and has identified areas for future development. The manager is now undertaking monthly auditing, in which young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people’s files will be reviewed in order to ensure that they are current and contain appropriate information. Regular quality of care reviews are carried out. These review the progress that has been achieved and identify areas for future progress. However, the views of family members, social workers and other professionals are still not considered. This means that the manager is unable to effectively assess how the home meets the needs of young people who are living there. The reports on the quality of care reviews have not been sent to the regulator. This will be raised as a regulatory shortfall. Young people are now making good progress. This progress is helped by the high- quality support and the consistency of staff. One social worker told the inspector, ‘I have worked with several homes and I can say this is one of the most effective. I have no concerns or fears about my young person and communication is of a very

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

high standard.’ Many of the young people are reluctant to engage with services, but staff are persistent in their approach. One deputy headteacher told the inspector, ‘The staff are always ready to drop anything to support education. They are committed and determined.’ The manager ensures that new admissions to the home are carefully planned. She makes certain that the needs of the young people who currently reside in the home are considered and that local services are available to meet young people’s presenting needs. The home is comfortable and well maintained. The issues identified at the last inspection have been addressed and new maintenance arrangements are now working effectively. There is still a small, stable staff team in place. Most staff are qualified and those who are unqualified are within the regulatory timescales for obtaining their qualifications. Consistent agency staff who are familiar with the young people cover

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staffing vacancies. Recruitment generally follows safe recruitment practices. However, not every newly recruited staff member has had their identity verified. This means that people who are not suitable to be carers to young people may be looking after the young people who live in the home. This will be raised as a regulatory shortfall.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say that they feel safe. They are confident that staff will act appropriately in order to protect them. Since the last inspection, staff have received additional training that enables them to respond more effectively to the presenting needs of young people. For example, staff have received training in addressing substance misuse. This improved awareness is now reflected in more robust risk management strategies and in the individual work undertaken with young people. Staff model and promote acceptable behaviour. Risks are well understood and managed with the support of personalised risk management plans that are consistently updated by staff. Staff identify problems early and step in to prevent escalation. Since the last inspection, there has been one physical intervention incident, which was effectively managed and evaluated by the manager. Incidents of young people going missing are well managed by staff. There are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

robust procedures in place when an incident occurs. Staff are vigilant to presenting risks and have clear strategies in place to address them. Return interviews are consistently carried out. Partnership working is strong. Social workers and professionals from specialist services commend the commitment of staff; all of them are consistently positive about the quality and regularity of the information that they receive. As a result, young people experience an integrated approach to meeting their needs and promoting their welfare. Staff challenge services effectively when they consider that plans do not adequately meet young people’s needs. This partnership working helps young people to overcome difficulties that previously affected their development.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned. Care is provided for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 19/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/12/2014 Interim Declined in effectiveness 20/06/2014 Full Good

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. They must ensure that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.This is in particular reference to photographic proof of identity. (Regulation 32(3(d)) 10/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating: the system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of parents, placing authorities and staff. The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality care review within 28 days of the date the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45(2)(4(a))(5) 10/04/2017

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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 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,

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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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