Children's Home, Residential special school run by Ruskin Mill Trust Limited in Sheffield

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection. This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . Young people continue to make exceptional progress, supported by the continuous encouragement of staff. For example, one young person has managed to have an overnight stay at the home, which previously has not been achieved due to his anxieties. Another young person will now sleep on a mattress, rather than on the floor, and this is a step towards their goal. Staff report: ‘We are proud of the achievements that the young people are making, and will encourage them to continue to gain positive outcomes.’ Young people are protected from harm. Individual risks and vulnerabilities are clearly understood by staff and, as a result, young people’s risks have significantly reduced. There are no episodes of missing or physical intervention. Robust

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

safeguarding procedures underpin all aspects of staff practice, including the development of documents to help young people who self-harm. The staff are developing their knowledge and skills to effectively care for the young people. They regularly attend training that is specific to the needs of those for whom they provide care. An example of recent training is ‘pathological demand avoidance’, which is a behaviour profile within the autistic disorder spectrum. Young people are encouraged to manage and gain positive health outcomes. One young person is learning how to monitor their blood sugar levels and understand the need for and the impact of prescribed medication. Another young person has increased their fitness by participating in a ‘goal balling’ team. He was invited to play in a novice tournament, where he scored a hat trick and won a silver medal. Young people are supported to develop their life skills, with a clear focus of what

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

they want to achieve. For example, one young person has effectively increased their free time, so that they can now travel independently to a local shopping centre. Another young person can travel home from school in a taxi without the need for an escort. A professional reports: ‘It has been a very positive period for X, he has started to socialise with others, where previously he would not.’ Education is given importance and the ethos of the home is to support young people to achieve and fulfil their potential. Young people can and do engage well in education and they have all gained qualifications at GCSE level. When young people reach the age of 18, they benefit from clear plans that detail the expectations of the young person and others, to enable them to move forward to independence. Staff tirelessly advocate for the young person to ensure that accurate, well-thought-out transition plans are created.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Communication in the home is reported as a ‘massive development’ and the staff have highly effective relationships with all professionals. This supports the delivery of care to the young people. Action has been taken by the manager to address the efficiency of the recording systems in the home. Staff report: ‘This is beneficial as it enables clear, accurate recording and increases the focus on the young people.’ However, the home’s statement of purpose would benefit from a review to ensure that it meets the specific needs of the home. The independent assessment is now a valuable source of information for the manager, as it clearly reports on whether young people are safeguarded and their well-being is being met. In addition, the manager has clearly reviewed the needs of the home, using feedback from others to evaluate where the service requires development. However, this needs further development to evidence an action plan.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager has ensured that the requirements and recommendations have been met. However, because there have been no admissions, this recommendation will be carried forward for the manager to demonstrate that risk is fully considered when planning future admissions.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a charitable trust and is part of a specialist school. It is registered for five young people who live in the home on either a full-time or shared- care basis. It caters for the care and education needs of young people who have a broad range of learning, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/11/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 45 (2)(c)) (2) In order to complete a quality of care review, the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring and evaluating— (c) any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. 30/04/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Fully consider the impact that a new placement will have on the existing group of children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4) This is with particular reference to documenting the risks that have been considered and clearly record the rationale for accepting new admissions to the home.  Homes are required to develop and keep under review a statement of purpose. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5) This is with particular reference to updating the statement of purpose, to reflect the new staff structure, and to also review the complexity of the statement of purpose and its use for the home. Once updated, a copy is to be sent to HMCI.

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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

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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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