Children's home run by Atlas Healthcare Ltd in Cheshire East

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The committed and proactive manager has fully met the requirement and both recommendations raised at the last inspection. This validates the home’s capacity to improve and enhances the care and outcomes for children and young people. The manager’s internal auditing reports are detailed and comprehensive. They demonstrate effective change following comment or need. Examples include independent advocates for children and young people and specific training for staff. Individual and group supervision sessions are now included on the staff rotas. Much improved recording of those sessions builds on strengths and ensures the swift identification of any areas for development. The management’s proactive recognition of the good work undertaken by staff boosts morale and improves practice. As a result, staff who are fully supported and trained to meet their needs care for children and young people. There were no breaches of legislation identified

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager attained registered manager status in November 2016, having managed the home since January 2016. She has worked extremely hard to improve care and outcomes. Some new innovations have included the manager becoming a parent governor at the school that four of the children and young people who either live in the home or have short breaks attend. This allows her to promote further positive results for them, as well as all of the children and young people that attend the school. In addition, she has introduced individual daily health diaries. These clearly show all of the health professionals involved with each child or young person, and comprehensively chart concerns and progress. This leads to improved health and well-being. A social worker said, ‘They understand her needs and meet them well. When she’s had a stay in hospital a member of staff has stayed with her all the time so she wasn’t alone.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

None of the long-term resident group have left since the last inspection. All five children and young people are continuing to thrive. The excellent collaborative working with partner agencies, and careful adherence to comprehensive care plans, allow the smallest of improvements or change to be recognised. This meets the identified needs of children and young people and ensures that any new developments or progress are built on, which enriches their lives. A social worker said, ‘When I visit he’s always really happy and has something to do. One time he had a ball and another lights. He’s never left just sitting there.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Four children and young people are in receipt of well-planned short breaks. Prior to their short breaks commencing the manager meets with family members to provide information about the home and to ensure that any cultural and religious requirements are understood and put into practice within the home. Children and young people have the opportunity to participate in social activities with their peers, as well as relaxing in the home. A social worker said, ‘They have the right equipment, not just her wheelchair, but her bedroom and the sensory room and taking her out on activities.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people enjoy living in a comfortable, fully equipped home. A newly installed ‘Rogues Gallery’ runs the length of the corridor leading to the bedrooms. These large photographic canvases show children and young people involved in a range of activities. Children and young people are able to identify themselves and each other. This promotes and enhances a sense of belonging and inclusion. A staff member said, ‘I love the photos on the wall [which show] the activities the children have been doing. The children notice them as well when they are going down to their bedrooms and that’s special to see.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The redecoration of all of the bedrooms since the last inspection means that they are now fresh, inviting, age appropriate and individually personalised for each child or young person. These adaptations include a projector on the ceiling in one room and a string of sensory lights on the wall in another. Children and young people’s bedrooms are now welcoming and stimulating places which they enjoy spending time in. The manager said, ‘His room has a space theme and now looks like a 16 year old’s bedroom.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people benefit from the good, close relationships the home has with their family members. This maintains their cultural and community links. The manager has also worked proactively with the foster carers of one child’s siblings to not only increase the level of contact but also to ensure that activities are ones that he can participate in. This allows him to fully embrace the whole experience. A social worker said, ‘I can’t praise them enough for what they’ve done about contact arrangements. They really fought (Name’s) corner for the contact with his siblings. It’s not just soft play to suit his siblings but something he can do and enjoy as well, which makes it a true experience for him.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are committed to providing children and young people with every possible experience. All of the children and young people attended the ‘Race for Life’ event in the summer. The two girls participated as they each had a staff member to push them around the course in their wheelchairs and the three boys ‘cheered them on’. Family members and neighbours then attended a garden party in the home to celebrate the day and raise money for charity. Events such as these enrich children’s and young people’s lives while bolstering their sense of belonging. Children and young people are safe in the home where their protection and well- being is paramount. Physical interventions and sanctions are not employed due to the children and young people’s profound levels of physical and learning disability. High staffing levels, including one-to-one care at all times in the community, ensure that children and young people are not at risk of going missing. The

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

proactive manager has ensured that all relevant documentation and logs are in place and that staff receive all appropriate training, including internet safety. Children and young people are safeguarded by these measures. A social worker said, ‘He’s absolutely safe there, I have no concerns at all.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are totally reliant on staff for their physical health and safety. Excellent partnership working with health professionals ensures that any issues associated with children and young people’s conditions are immediately addressed. These have included a replacement tracheotomy tube and a more effective wheelchair footrest. In addition, the practical steps taken within the home ensure that staff know how to evacuate children and young people if there were to be an emergency. A social worker said, ‘For me it’s lovely and like a family home. I’ve been impressed with the home and the staff. I would definitely say she was safe there.’

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to nine children and young people. Five children and young people receive long-term residential care and four children and young people can receive short breaks. All children and young people who use this service have profound and multiple learning disabilities and complex health needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/05/2016 Full Good 30/12/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/07/2015 Full Good 10/02/2015 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, work based 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

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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