Children's Home run by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in Dudley

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

The registered manager continues to lead a stable staff team that is child-focused, attentive and caring in its approach. Young people continue to thrive and make good progress because of the exceptional care that they receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been one new admission and two young people have moved on. Members of staff have helped the young people during these transitions and made these changes successfully.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are engaged in full-time education. Staff continue to place a high value on education and work collaboratively with young people and schools to overcome barriers to engagement. For example, when one young person was struggling to cope in education, a short-term alternative plan was swiftly agreed. This prevented the young person from disengaging from their learning and enabled them to continue to work towards achieving their educational objectives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to build trusting relationships with all members of staff, and this enables each staff member to help to keep young people safe. Behaviour management strategies are largely effective and incorporate a strength-based approach. Incidents of restraint only take place when necessary. Records of such incidents are completed well, supporting the safety of young people and staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has maintained positive working relationships with all relevant partner agencies, including school, the police and placing authorities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff consistently refer safeguarding incidents to the relevant professionals, discuss the incidents with them and work collaboratively to manage risks. Young people do not go missing from care and no young person has self-harmed since the last inspection. Staff respond well to all potential safeguarding incidents and work very effectively with other agencies. Strong relationships with the police, clinical services and local authorities mean that young people are protected from harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to pursue vigorously opportunities that enable young people to take part in their wider community. For example, one young person is being supported to become part of a football team. Staff encourage young people to prepare for adulthood by acquiring life skills such as age-appropriate self-care. These experiences allow young people to increase their self-esteem, confidence and sense of personal identity.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people understand how decisions are made and the degree to which they are able to influence them. There has been a recent decline in young people’s engagement in young people’s meetings. This is something which is currently being addressed by the registered manager. Complaints are rare and, when raised, are appropriately investigated. Key-working sessions have a clear focus on the young person’s specific needs, including, when required, covering sensitive topics such as healthy relationships, knife crime and aggressive behaviour.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of four homes run by this local authority. It is registered for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, and it is situated in an urban area.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/11/2016 Full Outstanding 23/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/11/2015 Full Outstanding 24/03/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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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. Whenever 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, 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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