Children's home run by Harmony Children’s Services

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make progress in their lives through living at the home. Some young people have experienced stable and consistent care at the home for over five years. This provides them with a secure base from which they learn the skills that they will require as they move into adulthood.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people new to the home quickly establish relationships with staff. One young person commented about her keyworkers: ‘I like them, they are nice. I have a bond with them. I can talk to them about pretty much anything.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

From their starting points, some young people experience a significant reduction in missing from home incidents and exposure to others who may pose a risk to their emotional and physical welfare. Staff establish clear boundaries, expectations and routines, which provide the stability for young people to make better choices in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager reviews significant incidents, and evaluates the appropriateness of staff responses. She identifies learning and training for staff in order to improve the care that is offered to young people. Allegations and complaints are dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who have left the home have done so in a planned way. Staff have been actively involved in assisting young people with their move to semi- independence and return to their home areas. The manager acts quickly when it is identified that the home is not able to meet the needs of young people. In these situations, the manager works very effectively with the local authority in offering appropriate timescales for alternative placements to be secured.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff and manager work in partnership with other agencies and professionals. This ensures that young people receive the services they need when they need them. The manager acts as s good advocate to ensure that young people’s voices are heard and that their needs are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, documents relating to the progress of young people have improved and these are updated by staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The frequency of supervision meetings for existing staff is now within company timescales. In addition, the appraisal of staff suitability to work with young people has now taken place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments are updated in a timely manner, and consultation with young people is both frequent and responsive to their requests. These requirements have therefore been met. However, the induction of new staff and the frequency of their supervision meetings have not followed company policy, and the managerial report reviewing the quality of care has not yet been completed.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/05/2016 Full Outstanding 09/06/2015 Full Outstanding 02/12/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/08/2014 Full Good

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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, 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 complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least every 6 months. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children. After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (‘the quality of care review report’). The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(3)(4)(a)(5))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)) 30/04/2017

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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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