Children's home run by Atlas Healthcare Ltd in Cheshire East

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home has demonstrated its capacity to improve by meeting one of the two requirements and all three recommendations raised at the last inspection. The regulator has now received an updated statement of purpose. This detailed document ensures that parents and professionals receive a comprehensive picture of the care provided. This enhances children’s and young people’s opportunities for success, as they are placed appropriately. A young person reported, ‘I really enjoy coming here for respite and wish I could come more.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There are still some issues with staff fully engaging with supervision, despite having received training. Not all of the staff team members understand the importance of reflecting upon their practice in a planned way. This could impinge on their ability to fully recognise children’s and young people’s progress and their impact on that development.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The staff team is using reflective practice extremely well with children and young people in its key work sessions and the children’s forum meetings. These empower children and young people to express their wishes and feelings confidently. Consistent responses to requests allow children and young people to understand decisions. The much improved use of positive rewards and praise, including star charts, provides children and young people with visual reminders of their progress. As a result, they grow in self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. A parent said, ‘He’s made real progress in emotional well-being, real progress.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children and young people enjoy living in a spacious home that is separated into small units. This allows them to live, or have short breaks, with peers of the same age and ability. This promotes social interaction and friendship building. Since the last inspection, children and young people have been taken to local shops to choose pictures and soft furnishings. This has effectively promoted feelings of belonging and inclusion as well as brightening up the home and making it more welcoming and homely. A parent said, ‘He’s made a friend in [name]. He hasn’t had friends before.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There have been three new admissions since the last inspection. Careful planning and gradual introductions include understanding children’s and young people’s food choices and ensuring that appropriate rooms and favoured decorations are in place before the child or young person arrives. This enhances their opportunity to settle and engage with the staff. A parent said, ‘They’ve gone out of their way to go and buy food he will eat. I couldn’t think of a better place for him to be.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Two children and young people have moved on. One young person no longer receives a service as he has reached his 18th birthday. Careful planning allowed the other child to reintegrate successfully back into his family. Both families report positively about the care that their child received and the progress that they made. A parent reported, ‘The home has been really good for [name] and myself. They have helped me to be able to cope with [name]’s moods.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children and young people continue to make good progress from their starting points. They receive one-to-one care from staff who understand their individual communication methods well. This allows all children and young people, including those without verbal communication skills, to make choices and express their wishes and feelings. Their emotional health, well-being and confidence improve as a result. An independent reviewing officer reported, ‘What was clear is that they are focused on the best outcomes for [name].’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home is working with children and young people to empower them to recognise and celebrate the progress that they make. This includes encouraging them to participate in their formal reviews where they are able. One young person, who has severe learning disabilities, was able to fully contribute to his review with the support of his key worker. He presented ‘My time at [name of children’s home]’, completed a ‘positives board’ and presented the participants with the ‘minions’ cakes that he had made. Such inclusive interaction provides children and young people with a sense of achievement and builds growth and aspiration for their futures. A young person reported, ‘I think everyone who works in [name of children’s home] is very respectful. I really like this place.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children’s and young people’s clear and detailed individual behaviour management plans incorporate all aspects of their diverse needs. When possible, the staff use reward and praise as ways of encouraging good behaviour. The management team robustly monitor any sanctions. This ensure that sanctions enable children and young people to learn the consequences of their actions. Children and young people learn vital independence, social and life skills as they recognise the benefits of behaving appropriately. A parent said, ‘What makes the staff amazing is the way they look after him and manage his behaviours.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There are still a number of occasions when physical intervention is necessary to protect children and young people from hurting themselves or others. Suitably trained staff follow guidance and records evidence that the majority of such interventions are appropriate. However, two restraints need not have occurred if staff had followed the home’s policies. The proactive management team had identified these matters as part of their careful audit of each restraint and has taken steps to ensure that these matters will not occur again. These measures safeguard children and young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

High staffing levels and suitable security systems ensure that children and young people do not go missing from the home. Robust risk assessments and careful planning protect children and young people on inclusive activities in the community. The management team has ensured that staff would know what to do if a child or young person were to go missing. These actions, and good training to recognise child sexual exploitation concerns, safeguard children and young people. A parent said, ‘I know he feels safe here.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A comprehensive complaints policy allows children, young people and other interested parties to express any dissatisfaction. Children and young people have independent advocates as well as their key workers to assist them in making a complaint if they wish. There have not been any complaints.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Since the last inspection, an incident of poor practice by a member of staff occurred, which placed a young person at risk. A thorough investigation led to the dismissal of that staff member. The swift and robust application of good disciplinary procedures ensures the protection of children and young people.

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Information about this children's home

An independent provider runs this home and offers residential and short-break care and accommodation. It can accommodate up to 15 children and young people who may have learning disabilities and/or emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/04/2016 Full Good 14/10/2015 Full Requires improvement 18/08/2015 Full Inadequate 20/03/2015 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

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision, which enables them to reflect on their practice and promote positive outcomes for children and young people, by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(c)) 03/04/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The registered person is responsible for ensuring that all staff consistently follow the home's policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home's care. Everyone working at the home must understand their roles and responsibilities and what they are authorised to decide on their own initiative. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

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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, 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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