Children's home run by Halliwell Homes Limited in Staffordshire Moorlands

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 . Young people are making progress from their starting points in all areas of their development due to receiving individualised, well-planned care from a consistent staff team that knows the young people well. There have been no admissions or discharges since the last full inspection and the young people living in the home are settled in their placements. Positive relationships exist between young people and staff in the home; for example, during the inspection young people came straight to the staff office after school to talk with staff about their day. These relationships provide young people with a consistent and secure base to develop from and work on individual areas of need. Young people said that they like living in the home and feel safe living there. One young person commented that, ‘Staff make sure you are all right and happy,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

they are always there for you. I love all of the staff.’ Young people all attend school full time and make progress in terms of their education. One social worker reported, ‘Staff at X’s school report significant improvement in his presentation and engagement with education since he moved to the home and there is a good working relationship between placement and school.’ Young people continue to enjoy a wide range of activities based on their individual interests . Each young person has a weekly activity planner, which includes individual activities ranging from circus skills to walking a dog from the animal sanctuary. A structured and busy routine means that young people know what to expect on a daily basis and are constructively engaged in activities that they enjoy. This enables young people to develop confidence and unique skills as well as limiting opportunity for negative behaviour. Staff promote positive behaviour by the use of clear reward systems such as

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

reward boxes, which include small toys or working towards days out. Young people understand the rewards system in place, which supports them to learn behaviour that is more positive. One young person reported that she was working towards a trip to Flamingo Land and she knew that to achieve this she has to be well behaved. Staff are consistent in their use of strategies set out in individual plans to manage challenging behaviour and identified areas of individual risk. This work is supported by monthly consultations with the organisation’s psychologist, where each young person’s progress is discussed and plans and strategies are updated accordingly. Consequently, over time young people learn to manage their own behaviour better. A social worker reported that, ‘ X has made significant progress during his placement at the home. Staff have been instrumental in supporting his emotional well-being throughout a very difficult period. X has started to build positive

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

relationships with staff members and is showing signs of improving self- management.’ A shortfall was identified in the direct work staff undertake with young people. Staff do not always ensure that behaviour identified in a significant incident, for example, inappropriate touching, is addressed in key work sessions with young people afterwards. This means that opportunities to help young people understand and change their behaviours are missed. The manager acknowledged this shortfall during the inspection and reported that she will take the necessary action to rectify this. Staff work collaboratively with professionals to support the progress of the young people in their care. One social worker commented, ‘Staff provide timely and detailed reports of any incidents, which lead to the use of physical intervention. They also provide weekly progress reports – there is sometimes a delay in these being received. Written reports are provided for the reviews of children looked

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

after. Placement staff have attended every meeting I have arranged re X’s care planning and progress.’ Placing social workers are invited to attend the monthly consultations with the company psychologist, providing an opportunity for social workers to be kept up to date with young people’s progress, which can be used for future placement planning. There is a high level of physical restraint for some young people, but the majority of these are guides and holds to ensure the young person’s safety. Staff are trained in the use of physical restraint and only ever use restraint as a last resort to ensure that young people are kept safe. The manager regularly reviews and monitors the use of physical restraint carefully to establish patterns and inform practice. Young people do not go missing due to their age and stage of development and a high level of staff supervision. The high staff ratio, underpinned by thorough risk

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

assessments, means that young people are safe in and out of the home. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures, including the management of allegations, which are promptly referred to the local authority designated officer. This ensures that young people are effectively safeguarded. The manager has taken action to address the requirements made at the last inspection, which demonstrates the manager’s ability to learn and develop practice. Young people’s case files are improved and, where documents remain missing, the manager has escalated this within the local authority. There has been a new kitchen and new carpets fitted in the home; however, there are some further areas in the home that require immediate attention, such as spindles missing from the staircase and the gate to the front of the home not being in working order. These need repairing urgently to ensure that young people are kept safe from harm.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a private children’s home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven children and young people who may be experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A multi-disciplinary team supports children and young people with their mental health needs. This home offers education on-site at a registered school.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

28/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

17/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

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 ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (2)(c)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This is with particular reference to the spindles on the staircase and the front gate. 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that staff—- (iii) help each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding.

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Requirement Due date

This is in respect of staff ensuring that key work sessions take place to help young people understand their behaviour. 28/04/2017

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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 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 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 at: 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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