Children's home run by Archways Care Limited in Wolverhampton

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, two requirements and one recommendation were made. Improvements to the physical environment have been completed, including repairs to windows and improvements to the kitchen area. This has resulted in young people living in a warm, comfortable environment, which meets their needs. All staff have either completed their level 3 diploma in caring for children and young people in residential care, or will enrol on the course once their probation is completed. This ensures that suitably skilled and knowledgeable staff care for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have improved their monitoring of the recording procedures by staff. Young people are invited to read and sign relevant documentation, ensuring that they have opportunities to comment on information written about them. However, shortfalls in documentation held on young people’s files was observed at this inspection, with key documents required by regulation missing. These included children looked after review minutes and local authority placement plans. This hinders staff from having access to all up-to-date information about young people’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A monitoring visit was undertaken in January 2017 following a complaint. At the monitoring visit, two requirements were made in relation to the home’s response to concerns about a young person’s welfare – in particular, ensuring that appropriate action was taken in response to concerns, including liaising with relevant professionals, and escalating concerns when necessary. Managers have put new protocols in place to offer clarity for all staff about the actions to take in these circumstances. These have been discussed with all staff to make sure that everyone is clear.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection, a new registered manager has been appointed. There have been changes within the group of young people living at the home, with two young people leaving to return to family, and two young people moving in. One young person commented, ’Staff are very nice here and gave me a warm welcome. I have everything I need.’ Supporting young people’s education remains a strength of the home. A dedicated education officer continues to work with young people and staff to promote education for each young person. All young people are attending school or college or completing assessments prior to places being identified. When they are not at school, staff harness young people’s enthusiasm for learning by supporting individuals with online learning packages. Young people have hopes and aspirations for the future and are helped to achieve these.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s views and opinions continue to be canvassed about many aspects of the home’s running. Warm, nurturing relationships between young people and staff remain in place. Young people continue to participate in a variety of activities within the home and in the local community, and say that they have plenty to keep them busy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A health and safety matter arose during this inspection. A barn adjacent to the home was seriously damaged following a fire in 2016, and pieces of metal had dislodged, presenting potential hazards to staff and young people. Managers have responded to the risk by implementing a new procedure whereby staff check the site daily, until decisions are made about the barn. However, the location area risk assessment requires revising to include this new identified hazard and staff responses, to ensure that the continuing prioritisation of young people’s safety is secured.

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Information about this children's home

The home is one of three homes run by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/07/2016 Full Good 27/04/2016 Full Inadequate 14/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/01/2015 Interim Sustained 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 maintain records (case records) for each child which – (a) include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; in particular, a copy of the local authority placement plan and review minutes. (Regulation 36(1)(a)) 13/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year, taking into account the requirement in Regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard). (Regulation 46.1) 13/03/2017

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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 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

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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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