Children's Home run by Sunflower Children Care Services in Leicestershire

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 . The home continues to provide good services to young people, but there is limited evidence to demonstrate overall service improvement since the last inspection. Young people continue to be well cared for by staff, and relationships between young people and staff are positive. The relationships are marked with fun and laughter, but, equally, young people know that they can talk to staff and confide in them and are assured that staff will place their welfare needs first. These positive relationships support young people to make progress and feel safe. Young people receive the support and encouragement they need to engage with education and training. The registered manager and staff understand the importance of education and demonstrate determination to ensure that young people have the resources available to make progress. Two young people attend

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the school on site and one young person is currently working hard to achieve her goal of a transition to a mainstream school. When young people have encountered problems with attendance at school, or wanting to give up, the staff team has persevered, persuading and supporting young people to attend education or training. This has helped young people understand the importance that education and training have for their future prospects. The registered manager and staff help and support young people to enjoy positive relationships with family members and those people who are seen as important to them. Some young people have experienced improved relationships with family members, which has led to an increase in time spent at home. Parents have also benefited from the support provided by the manager and staff. One parent stated, ‘My daughter is well settled at the home and happy. She is making progress in

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

school. All is brilliant.’ Consequently, young people and their families are able to spend time together which is positive, safe and in the best interests of the young people. Staff members work hard and diligently to ensure that the physical environment of the home is clean and reflects the tastes of young people living there. However, the decoration of the home is tired in appearance, as is the exterior of the property. The manager has recognised this and she is currently in the process of obtaining agreement for refurbishment works. A date is not yet finalised. This is becoming urgent and detracts from the overall quality of the service. Young people’s placement and care plans are good. Staff understand these plans and implement them consistently. The manager has not always updated them, though, with the decisions and recommendations from key meetings, such as reviews. It is crucial that they contain current information to ensure that the plans

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

are both effective and reflective of the needs of the young people. Young people’s safety remains of paramount importance to the staff and manager, who have worked effectively with local authorities and police in response to safeguarding concerns. The main areas of concern since the last inspection have been young people being away from the home without authority. The staff have responded effectively to these incidents. The staff will search for young people, seek immediate advice and guidance from managers, and look to report young people who are missing to the police immediately. The manager employs a good system to ensure that young people receive a warm welcome upon return to the home. A debrief also takes place, and there is a comprehensive evaluation of incidents from managers to see if any lessons can be learned. The behaviour of young people has been good. No physical interventions with young people have taken place since the last inspection, as the staff utilise their

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

positive relationships with young people, through praise and encouragement, to avoid harsher methods of discipline. This has led to a positive culture and ethos in the home, as staff will not tolerate negative behaviour, and young people understand what constitutes good behaviour. The manager acted quickly in meeting the two requirements from the last inspection. Staff development has taken place in relation to them understanding that keeping young people safe takes precedence over their wishes and feelings. Young people can now access all areas of their home at any time, as the manager has implemented improved monitoring arrangements that have removed the need to lock certain doors at night. The staff team has remained stable. The staff receive regular, professional supervision and guidance, which they reported that they enjoy and anticipate eagerly. Their training and developmental needs are met and they feel well

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

supported by the manager. One staff member stated of the manager, ‘She is a good boss. Life is easier with a manager so experienced. She has the kids’ interests at heart.’ Consequently, young people benefit from well-supported and trained staff who feel that their contributions are valued.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The service is a privately operated children’s home, registered for up to three young people aged from 9 to 17 years. Children and young people may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. There is also a registered school attached to this home.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

09/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

12/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:

p.5

Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislation (alarms, food hygiene and so on); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  Effective care planning and strong working relationships between the staff of the home and the placing authority are essential to the success of placements. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.2)

p.5

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’.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors 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 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 whom 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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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 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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7