Annex A. Request for information at a full inspection of a children’s home

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 . One recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection. Two requirements and one recommendation resulted from the last inspection. The home has fully met both of the requirements. The statement of purpose has been effectively updated and shared with Ofsted. This helps to ensure that the children’s home receives appropriate scrutiny. The staff team was positively involved in the process of updating the statement of purpose. This demonstrates that staff have an informed understanding of both the purpose of the home and the way that it runs. The recommendation has also been met. There is now an effective system in place so that all serious events are appropriately notified. This has been clearly communicated to the staff group. The successful progress made on the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

requirements and the recommendation demonstrates effective leadership and management. Leaders and managers are well supported by the effective scrutiny of the independent visitor. The visitor ensures that young people are fully involved in his visit, and this gives valuable feedback to the management team. Managers are quick to act on this feedback and willing to make changes to take young people’s views into account. For example, young people are now more involved in choosing food for the home. Generally, listening to and acting on the views of young people are strengths of this service. For example, young people are effectively involved in staff recruitment. In addition, young people have requested more opportunities to earn money, and a new system is now in place. This demonstrates staff’s commitment to listening to, involving and responding to the young people whom they care for. Young people’s emotional health needs are routinely well served by appropriate

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

input from the home’s psychologist and the child and adolescent mental health service. Managers and staff have recently dealt effectively with a serious mental health crisis, which has averted further harm. Behaviour management in this home is usually proportionate and appropriately low key. However, there was an isolated example of plans to use an inappropriate sanction. This did not happen, and a recommendation has been made in this report in order to raise the awareness of all staff as to what is an appropriate sanction. No young people are currently going missing, nor are there concerns relating to sexual exploitation. Staff have a sound understanding of safeguarding issues, and managers are effective at working with appropriate professionals, such as the designated officer and the police. This helps to ensure that young people are kept as safe as possible from abuse and exploitation. The local authority is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the purpose

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and functioning of the home. This inevitably produces a level of uncertainty about the future. However, there are well-thought-out, ongoing plans to consult with staff and young people, and this has effectively limited much negative impact.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is managed by the local authority. The home provides accommodation for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The local authority’s semi-independent accommodation is available in the same building but does not form part of the registration.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

01/02/2016 Interim Declined in 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

 Ensure that any sanctions used to address poor behaviour help individual children recognise the impact of their behaviour. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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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 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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