Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last 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 enjoy a welcoming and well-maintained home, which staff have decorated using fun colours. The young people’s rooms are personalised and there is a relaxed atmosphere. They have formed warm and trusting relationships with the caring, child-focused staff who encourage them to engage in activities such as Laser Quest and bowling. These support their physical and emotional well-being. One young person, who was recently placed, is settling in very well. He says that he likes the home and he has made progress in his routines, putting on weight and sleeping well. Staff support him to have regular weekly family contact. He attends school, initially on a restricted timetable, but has now asked to attend for full days. This young person has started taking pride in his appearance, enjoying a new haircut and clothes, and his personal hygiene has improved. Staff express pleasure at seeing how smart he is and the increase in his self-esteem and confidence. He

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

has demonstrated excellent progress in social skills, managing his emotions and behaviour and responding positively to boundaries. Staff listen to him and engage him in the young person’s meeting where they record and respond positively to his views, wishes and feelings. His social worker has commented on his good progress and has expressed surprised at how well he has settled and become less anxious.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The other young person in placement chooses to spend a lot of time away from the home. He is now awaiting a new placement in a semi-independent unit. He has continued to spend time either with his mother or with friends, but does maintain contact with staff via his mobile phone. Staff work in close collaboration with the placing authority, reviewing and updating his risk assessments in order to keep him safe in the community. Highly trained staff visit him on alternate days to check that he is safe and well and take him to his youth offending meetings and looked-after reviews. He cooperates with staff by telling them where he is and where they can meet him, but he refuses to stay at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership and management continue to be highly effective and supportive. The registered manager has been clear with the placing authority that the home can no longer meet the needs of the young person who will not remain in the home. She therefore made the decision to give notice on the placement, based on his needs. Dedicated staff enjoy working as part of an effective team. The registered manager ensures that they receive regular supervision, providing them with personal support in addition to professional development. Training is relevant and up to date and enables staff to increase their knowledge and ability to undertake their roles effectively. Staff work closely with family members and a wide range of professionals including the youth offending service, education, placing authorities and therapeutic services. Positive feedback from professionals and parents confirms that staff are very good at communicating with them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no issues or concerning patterns of incidents within the home. The registered manager has still to respond to the requirement of the last inspection, but this does not negatively affect the experience and progress of young people and is still within the required timescale.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home is registered to care for up to two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is located next to its sister home. The service currently provides short or long-term care for children and young people aged from eight to 18 years.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/11/2015 Full Good 25/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/12/2014 Full Good

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 31/03/2017

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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 whom 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: 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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