Children's home run by Cherry Trees Limited

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 . Children and young people are well cared for by staff who provide a safe and fun environment. Staff make every effort to ensure that the short break supports children and young people in their development. There are numerous compliments from families about the support their children receive and the difference this makes to all of their lives. Children settle well and quickly begin to enjoy the time they spend at the home. One member of staff focuses on helping the child to identify what they want to achieve during their stays. The information is recorded so that their progress can be monitored and reviewed. This has increased the staff team’s knowledge of the child. The member of staff spends time getting to know parents and informing them about the services that are available. This helps the staff assist the family as

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

a whole, for example through the parent support group or events they put on for brothers and sisters. Staff successfully support young people to move on to other services. A letter from a manager of an adult home thanked staff for their help in the move. She finished by saying, ‘X is an excellent example of encouraging development and individuality.’ Most children present during the inspection could not easily make their views about their care known; however, it was clear that they enjoyed being there. Children were relaxed, smiling and laughing. One young person said they liked coming here and gave it a ‘thumbs up’ as a place to visit. A sociable meal was taken with good deployment of staff to support children’s eating by encouraging them to try new flavours and eat healthily. Staff have a very good understanding of children’s individual needs, likes and dislikes. Staff show pride in the children’s and young people’s achievements and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

concern about their welfare. They use the time at the service to help children and young people prepare for activities at home; for example, they use some of the facilities to help a child become used to a cinema environment. While no child protection referrals have been made, staff know what action to take should they have a concern about a child’s welfare and receive up-to-date, regular training about relevant issues, such as child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. Behaviour management is appropriate with good behaviour being promoted effectively. Only one sanction has been given since the last inspection. This was well documented and appropriate. Incident records are detailed. The incidents are reviewed on a monthly basis by the home’s safeguarding committee who consider if there are any trends or causes for concern. Recent reviews indicated a need for training in the difference between incidents and accidents. Training was provided

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

which has led to more accurate recording of events. The environment is well maintained and is continually improved to further support children’s needs and enjoyment. For example, plans are being made to develop the downstairs bathroom into a sensory bathroom. The management team confirmed this will be adapted in ways that parents could use at home so that they can see what benefits this might provide, especially where personal hygiene is a really important aspect of care for a young person. The staff upstairs toilet and bathroom windows were unlocked and could be accessed by young people. The manager took immediate action to secure these windows and made plans to ensure that these areas remain safe. No requirement is made because the issue was dealt with during the inspection and no other health and safety concern was identified. Risk assessments regarding the use of the recently acquired cot bed are in place

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

for children who need this facility and are agreed by the child’s parents and professionals. However, there is no clear policy on the use of the cot bed or its maintenance. In some places, the risk assessments about the use of the cot bed lack sufficient detail. For instance, the assessments contain review dates, but do not confirm any issues that would trigger a review of the safety measures. The ability of staff to reflect on and effectively record how children act and progress are improving. Target setting is clearer and incident recording now describes behaviours so that staff can reflect on what these mean and note when changes occur. The management team recognises that this is an ongoing issue but is rightfully proud of the progress it is making in this area. Recruitment records show that appropriate checks are completed for staff and volunteers. Managers have also taken steps to ensure that all staff attain the level

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

three diploma for residential childcare and they envisage achieving this by the end of March 2017. Managers have a good understanding of the priorities and challenges for developing the services provided and have met the two recommendations made at the last inspection. They receive good support from the local community, such as a headteacher providing training in autistic spectrum disorders. Leaders and managers have collaborated with the local authority to ensure that parents’ and children’s views of the local authority services are well represented during a review.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide short breaks for up to 14 children and young people who have a learning or physical disability. It is operated by a charity.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

 Homes that care for children where, as a result of their impairment or disability, restraint is a necessary component of their care should include information relating to this in the behaviour management policy and Statement of Purpose. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 47, paragraph 9.44) In particular, managers should be clear on how the use of the cot beds and bed sides will be agreed and monitored.

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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 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 at: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

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

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