Children's home run by Good Foundations Limited

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has the appropriate level of qualification and is very experienced in working in residential settings. Both she and the deputy manager are passionate about the care of young people, are motivated, and are a driving force for positive change.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are happy and safe in this home. They have positive relationships with staff, who know them well and understand their needs thoroughly. Consequently, young people continue to benefit from living here. A young person said, ‘This is still the best place ever to live. I love the staff.’ The staff team members are skilled and dedicated to their work. They take the time to understand and know young people well. They understand their needs and respond to them in a caring and nurturing way. As a result, relationships are built on trust and mutual respect.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A strong emphasis to safeguard young people who live here runs through the home. There is exceptional collaboration between young people, their families, police and social care agencies, which protects young people from harm. Although there are no young people at particular risk of exploitation, staff are trained to recognise signs and maintain a sceptical outlook. Training has given staff the confidence to remain vigilant and work preventatively.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report, and records show, that they have not made any complaints. However, young people said that they know that staff listen to them and that they would take action following any complaint, should they feel the need to make one. They therefore feel assured that their safety is of the highest priority and they are listened to.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Given their starting points, young people are making very good progress, particularly in relation to their education. All young people have 100% school attendance, and very good communication continues between the home’s staff and education staff. An example of this is the excellent use of ‘two-way diaries’ to ensure that relevant information is shared regarding children’s individual needs in both school and the home. Since the last inspection, there has only been one incident of a young person going missing. Staff, who followed the robust procedures in place, managed this appropriately.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key strength of the staff team is its dedication to improving young people’s behaviour. Staff show their creative flare and have produced a range of reward and incentive charts that are age appropriate and individualised for young people. An example of this includes the use of a young person’s favourite film character from ‘Beauty and the Beast’ to capture her good behaviour and progress. This means that young people are more effectively engaged in the process of managing their behaviour and emotions constructively and ensures that praise and positive re- enforcement is at the forefront of the care provided.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home communicates well and works in partnership with parents and placing authorities. A parent said, ‘They keep me up to date with everything.’ A social worker commented, ‘A strength of this home is the excellent communication. They ensure that all professionals involved in young people’s lives are well informed. It helps because important decisions can be made that are planned and well informed.’ This good collaborative working ensures that young people’s care needs are fully supported.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Admissions to the home continue to be well organised, and a high level of consideration is given to the appropriate mix of young people. One young person has left the home since the last inspection. This was a result of a court decision and could not be planned for. One young person has come to live at the home. Risk assessments and communications with social workers show that the admission decisions were carefully considered, as well as the needs of both the current young person and the new young person. This demonstrates that compatibility and individual needs are considered as high importance. The new young person commented, ‘I was scared for the first 20 minutes, but then it just felt like a family.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Training opportunities for staff and managers, alongside detailed discussion about policies and procedures, improve staff knowledge of safeguarding practice, ensuring that young people are afforded better protection. When staff have attended training, they have had discussions about the training in supervision sessions, and they have used this to reflect on the learning and how it will impact on their work with young people. This ensures that the training is meaningful and focused on better outcomes for the young people who live in the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An area for development is to ensure that the home continues to reflect the warm, nurturing environment that staff create. In general, the home environment is very clean, tidy and decorated to a very high standard. However, when one young person left the home, the bedroom he was occupying was not cleaned to the high standard seen in the rest of the house. In particular, the skirting boards were stained and dirty and there were stains on the carpets. These issues were discussed with the deputy manager, who immediately started to take action to address them.

p.3

Information about this children's home

e home is privately owned and provides care and accommodation for four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/11/2016 Full Outstanding 16/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/09/2015 Full Outstanding 19/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Recommendation

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure staff provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming. Staff should seek to meet the child's basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met – doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child and value them as an individual. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) In particular, ensure that all bedrooms are clean prior to a young person coming to live in the home.

p.5

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’.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

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

p.7