Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

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 outstanding progress. Young people are able to access a variety of new experiences in a bright and well-maintained environment. Staff are creative with the activities that they provide to young people to ensure that these activities are centred on young people’s individual needs. Consequently, young people get to try new things in a safe and supportive way that promotes their progress and enhances their achievements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Members of staff ensure that young people’s placement plans focus on managing and improving their behaviour and life skills. This structured support enables young people to make improvements in their personal care, communication and diet. This means that young people make meaningful progress, develop appropriate behaviour, and have their health and well-being improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been no use of physical restraint since the last inspection. This is because the staff members manage the behavioural needs of young people well through well-established de-escalation techniques. As a result, young people’s challenging behaviour does not escalate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager works in partnership with other professionals, such as teachers, social workers and health. This helps to ensure that young people’s holistic needs are met. School staff share communication profiles with staff at the home for each young person. This helps to enable young people to participate in decisions that directly affect them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff team continue to provide an outstanding service to young people and their families. The child-centred approach means that young people have positive experiences and make measurable progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation was made at the last full inspection. This has not been fully met. Young people have used the suggestion box to continue to express concern at the lack of access to the internet during their stay. This ongoing shortfall impacts on the quality of care that young people receive, especially because young people are not able to access communication systems or games that promote their learning and aid their communication. This ongoing shortfall has now been made a requirement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do not always have access to support during the night, because some nights do not have waking night staff. Risk assessments completed by staff do not reflect young people’s individual vulnerabilities or detail how a young person is able to secure help, if required, during the night. This can prevent some young people with limited communication or limited mobility from having access to assistance, if required, at night. Staff members have not taken into account the arrangements that are in place at young people’s family home and how these can be safely matched during a young person’s short stay.

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority short-breaks service provides short periods of residential accommodation for up to four young people who have physical and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/08/2016 Full Outstanding 15/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/11/2015 Full Outstanding 24/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

In order to meet the education standard the registered person must ensure: (2)(b) that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child’s learning.

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Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to wifi access. 30/04/17

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that: (2)(d) ensures that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. 31/05/17

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

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