Children's Home run by First 4 Care Limited in Doncaster

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 improved effectiveness . The comprehensive impact risk assessment and matching process, alongside the manager meeting the young person and social worker, provides extra scrutiny for new admissions. Careful planning reduces young people’s anxieties about moving and minimises disruption to the existing residents. The manager said, ‘I don’t want to unsettle the young people who are here. A vacancy will remain until we find the right person to move in.’ Young people, who have experienced many disrupted placements, settle quickly and want to remain living at the home. They respond to the warm and nurturing care and make healthy, trusting relationships with staff. Young people become more open and honest about issues affecting their lives. Those who used to go missing from previous placements enjoy spending time with staff. They no longer

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have long absences away from home. This reduces the risk of harm and child sexual exploitation. Antisocial and criminal behaviour has reduced. A parent said, ‘Staff are keeping [name of young person] as safe as they can. If [name of young person] didn’t want to be here, he knows how to go missing and would not be found.’ Young people are making good progress. Staff are proactive and challenge decisions made to ensure that young people get the best education provision. This includes participation on an individualised training scheme. Regular consultation takes place with the school and staff attend parents’ evenings. This provides consistency of approach and staff remain fully informed about young people’s educational needs. Attendance increases and young people become enthusiastic about school. Gaps in learning are filled through staff helping with additional homework. Young people’s confidence grows. Peer relationships develop at school

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and friends come to the home. Young people start making plans for their future. Young people are encouraged to eat a healthy diet and have access to activities such as enrolment at the gym. Staff take young people on activity-based holidays. Smoking has reduced. Staff sensitively address issues such as substance misuse, seeking professional support to obtain a multi-agency approach. Young people feel able to tell staff if they have relapsed. Staff monitor young people’s diet and seek medical advice when they have concerns about young people’s unexplained weight loss. Staff give young people clear information about the impact on life choices and health risks through ‘My Chats’. Young people develop an understanding of the risks involved and begin to make healthy choices to take care of their emotional and physical well-being. Robust risk assessments identify strategies that help staff to keep young people

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

safe. This leads to a reduced risk of sexual exploitation and staff have a good awareness of the associated risks. Staff are monitoring the young people’s use of the internet and social media. Staff de-escalate situations effectively. They have not used physical intervention for many years. On the few occasions that police assistance is required, this is to keep young people safe. Staff avoid criminalising young people. The home operates a robust complaints procedure. Young people know how to complain and, when they do, the manager deals with these thoroughly and effectively. The manager takes prompt action and young people feel listened to. The enthusiastic and committed manager has an extensive knowledge of attachment, neglect and trauma theory. Staff are developing a therapeutic approach with information provided during supervision and team meetings. This helps staff understand the causes of young people’s negative behaviours. Staff

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

deliver research-based care and intervention. Young people develop and learn strategies to help with behavioural and emotional self-regulation. One young person said, ‘My relationship with Mum is better. Staff have helped me change my attitude. I have made a huge step forward.’ When young people leave the home, staff remain in contact. This maintains important relationships formed and helps with the transition. One young person sent a card saying, ‘A big thank you for helping me become who I am today. The [name of home] is the best kids’ home I have ever been in.’ Staff work with young people to develop their independent living skills; however, one young person does not have a pathway plan. Requests for information need escalating by staff to allow sufficient planning for young people. This will ensure a smooth transition to adulthood. The requirement and recommendation from the last inspection have been met. The

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

manager obtains extensive feedback to inform the review of the quality of care provided. The monthly independent visitor, alongside a twice-yearly audit of the service provision by the local authority, provides additional scrutiny.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

5: Engaging with the wider system In meeting the quality standards, specifically in respect to young people having a pathway plan, the registered person must (c) consider a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. 31/03/2017

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 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.

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 at: 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