Children's home SC485907

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

Since the last inspection the child, who has lived in the home for over two years and within the organisation’s homes for nine years, has experienced a period of some stability. He has benefited from attending a long-term work placement one day a week and he had secured a college placement. The college withdrew the offer of a place due to their concerns about the child’s behaviours. The manager appealed the decision on the child’s behalf but the college upheld their decision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and the staff have since approached numerous education establishments seeking a course for the child. A vocational placement that offers courses in construction and motorcycle mechanics has recently accepted the child and he commenced on the course in February 2017. The child said, ‘I have done construction before. I like it.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child’s complex needs and behaviours make the identification of potential future placements very difficult. The child’s overall progress has slowed; there has been a recent spike in the number of incidents, and a decline in his behaviour. A number of the incidents have involved assaults on members of staff. Recent incidents have coincided with the child’s court appearances. The staff update the child’s risk assessments after each incident and the manager has increased the staffing levels. The manager deemed the increased staffing necessary to ensure the safety of both the child and the staff members. The change in the staffing level has proved beneficial as the child now has access to a wider pool of staff and he has ceased targeting individuals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff continue to work with the child using the dyadic developmental psychotherapy approach. It appears that this approach is proving less successful as a de-escalation method, but continues to assist with calming the child after an incident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite staff efforts, the child shows little interest in learning the life skills that he will require throughout his later life. A staff member said, ‘[Child] thinks his placement will carry on here for ever.’ The fact that there are no clear future placements compound the child’s misconception. The staff continue to advocate on the child’s behalf to identify a suitable placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff support the child to maintain contact with his family and to strengthen his family relationship. This included the child, with staff support, hosting a festive meal for his family at the home. This enabled the child and his family to experience a more relaxed contact visit and to create some special memories.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The leaders and managers have a good grasp of the strengths of the home and the areas of development that they have identified to focus on. There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection. The manager has reviewed the way that the staff record significant events. The new format gives a clear review of each of the events and the manager’s overview of lessons learned or new strategies to adopt.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

External professionals said:  ‘They [the staff] are gold standard for their professionalism. No complaints. They are not punitive and they have done all that they can do and more to ensure that [child] is safe.’  ‘Working together remains strong and informative. Good planning and communication. No concerns about care provision but obvious shared concern about the move-on plan and risks posed to and by [child].’

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Information about this children's home

This home provides one placement for one child who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A private organisation owns and operates this setting.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/07/2016 Full Good 24/11/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 30/07/2015 Full Good

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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 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

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

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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