Children's Home run by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in Rotherham

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 . Since the last inspection, one young person has started their short breaks at the home, and is currently visiting regularly for tea to build up familiarity and confidence. Several children and young people have stopped using the service since the last inspection because of personal and family circumstances. They have been successfully supported throughout this transition. Suitable adult service provision is not always available for young people attaining the age of 18 years, so transitions are less successful for this group of young people. The provider has escalated concerns about this lack of resource, and in the meantime the home is providing continuity of care for these young people while plans for them are progressed. Children and young people enjoy their short breaks. A social worker commented

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that children and young people have the opportunity to experience new activities and form new friendships. For example, one young person is learning archery and now undertakes this activity with his family. Another has progressed to going to the gymnasium when he previously would not engage in physical activities. Children and young people are well supported, with many cared for by staff on a one-to-one basis. This ensures that their complex physical, medical and behavioural needs are met effectively. As a result of these high levels of supervision, there have been no episodes of children going missing and there is minimal risk of child sexual exploitation. Physical intervention is infrequent, reflecting staff skill at de-escalating challenging behaviour. Any safeguarding concerns are communicated immediately to social workers. Children and young people are encouraged and supported to be fully involved in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the running of the home. Staff work hard to promote the voice of the child. For example, they have introduced a monthly newsletter with one young person acting as ‘journalist of the month’. This newsletter informs parents, carers and other professionals about events and activities as well as helping children and young people to learn new skills. Staff have introduced secure storage for children and young people to leave their belongings between visits. This means that they return to a room containing familiar objects. Staff continue to communicate effectively with children and young people and are alert to their individual styles of communication. Common communication signs are displayed around the home and there is a plan for staff to join colleagues from education in joint training in the use of alternative communication methods. Children and young people’s care is enhanced by strong partnerships with parents

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and carers, social workers, health and education professionals. Coffee mornings are held for parents and carers to meet each other and staff. This provides parents and carers with the opportunity to give feedback on the running of the home and the quality of care provided. The manager consistently monitors the quality of care and staff practice and uses this to identify actions to increase effectiveness. For example, a review of the medication policy and procedure has been undertaken, and children and young people’s files are in the process of being updated to make them clearer. There has been one complaint since the last inspection, which was resolved effectively. Refurbishment of the garden area, informed by the views of the children and young people, is being planned. Staff have visited other establishments in order to gain new ideas and exchange good practice contributing to an outward-looking ethos among the management team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A visit by an independent person was not completed in December 2016 and reports are not being sent to HMCI in a timely manner. This reduces the opportunity for the quality of care and the safeguarding of children and young people to be fully monitored.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by the local authority. It provides short-break care and accommodation for eight young people who have learning and physical disabilities. The service has an emergency bed.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

11/12/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the home at least once each month. (Regulation 44(1)) 01/04/2017

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 Make best use of information from independent monitoring to ensure continuous improvement. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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Recommendations

Specifically, ensure that the independent visitor’s report is sent to Ofsted before the end of the month that follows the month in which the visit took place.

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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 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

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

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