Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Barnsley

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding 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

Children and young people make significant progress at the home. They respond well to staff’s warm and nurturing care, and trusting relationships develop. Children and young people open up about their negative past experiences. Staff sensitively help them to understand their emotions and make sense of their feelings. Staff re- parent children and young people, who build healthy attachments to them. Their consistent approach helps children and young people to feel secure, resulting in them becoming more emotionally resilient. One social worker said, ‘[Name of young person] is making brilliant progress and is much calmer. He speaks fondly about staff, who have done wonderful things for him. He is always laughing and joking.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The in-depth placement matching and excellent, individualised care planning makes sure that children and young people are admitted only if staff are able to meet their holistic needs. Careful consideration of the existing children and young people living at the home avoids unnecessary disruption. Consequently, children and young people settle quickly, want to remain and make friends with the other residents. Staff help children and young people to adjust to the change of dynamics at home to prevent conflicts and disagreements. Staff provide opportunities, and encourage children and young people to join in with activities at home and in the community to keep them fit and healthy. Spending time together results in children and young people becoming more tolerant and understanding of each other.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are proactive in engaging children and young people in education. This results in improved participation in home tuition and increased attendance at school. Children’s and young people’s attitudes towards education change. They enjoy going to school, both doing and taking pride in their schoolwork. Newly admitted young people who are waiting for school or college placements follow a school routine. Staff provide educational opportunities, offering children and young people learning and creative activities at home. For one, this includes a book of her poems being commissioned, with her proudly showing her emotionally thought-provoking work. Staff recognise and nurture children’s and young people’s talents, and children and young people become confident with improved self-esteem. There is a strong safeguarding culture within the home. Risk assessments clearly identify and address risk, and staff protect children’s and young people’s

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

vulnerabilities. There have been no missing from home episodes since the last inspection, and newly admitted young people who previously absconded no longer go missing. This is due to staff’s vigilance, the good relationships between staff and children and young people, and their being educated about the dangers of absconding. As a result, children and young people are no longer putting themselves at risk of sexual exploitation or criminal activity. Children and young people feel safe and protected at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people sometimes need encouragement to learn independent living skills or to meet their set goals. Staff agree incentives, using reward charts to keep them on target. Children and young people become enthusiastic about achieving their rewards. There is increased participation in key working and improvement in behaviours. There has been a significant reduction in the number of incidents and there have been no restraints since the last inspection. Children and young people learn to self-regulate their behaviour and emotions, and become calmer. One parent said, ‘[Name of young person] is no longer aggressive, is calmer and is definitely making progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When young people move on from the home, staff and, when relevant, some young people remain in contact with them. They understand the importance of good attachments and continuing relationships. This offers emotional and practical support, and helps the young person to make the transition successfully to alternative accommodation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The skilled and experienced manager leads the committed and stable staff team effectively. They all work together to provide the best quality care. Staff genuinely care about children’s and young people’s welfare. The eclectic staff are good role models and they replicate a family unit, all having healthy meals together. Children and young people benefit from a family-orientated atmosphere. Contact takes place within the home in a new, purpose-adapted family room. Children and young people benefit from the more relaxed contact, and it offers the opportunity for staff to build relationships with family members. This has led to increased cooperation from family members, enabling children and young people to continue to settle at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home can accommodate up to three children and young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is owned and operated by an independent provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/09/2016 Full Outstanding 09/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 01/12/2015 Full (aligned) Outstanding 24/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 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 0300 123 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, work- based 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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