Children's Home run by Educare Adolescent Services Limited in Staffordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good 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

Since the last inspection, one young person has had a planned move to a new placement and there has been one new admission.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transition plans are well planned and facilitated. For example, during a transition out of the home, a young person was able to visit their new placement on several occasions, and staff took the time to ensure that the new staff understood how best to support the young person. Similarly, staff manage admissions into the home well, even when the admission is an emergency placement. Staff are proactive in getting to know the young person and ensure that they quickly establish effective communication links with the placing authority to enable collaborative working.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the need for young people to feel reassured, cared for and most importantly wanted. Staff achieve this by offering young people lots of positive attention, praise and encouragement. Feedback from a professional indicated that, for one young person: ‘Staff have helped [the young person] to believe in herself and to enjoy being a child rather than worrying about her own safety.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff keep young people safe. Members of staff understand young people’s individual vulnerabilities and triggers that can place them at risk. Staff respond to safeguarding concerns swiftly and diligently. This helps to ensure that all measures are in place to keep young people safe. Staff utilise the support of partner agencies in safeguarding situations, by working collaboratively with the police and placing authorities. Equally, staff members try not to be risk averse, providing young people with opportunities to make safe choices independently. For example, young people are able to work towards having free time, the use of a mobile phone and access to the internet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Dedicated staff ensure that all young people are provided with personalised care to ensure that they make progress in all aspects of their lives. As a result, young people are healthy, they access education and they are being well prepared for their transitions into adulthood. The registered manager continues to have a comprehensive understanding of the home and uses monitoring systems effectively to ensure that young people are safe and making sustained progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection, one requirement was raised. Staff have addressed this and, as a result, the individual voices of young people are listened to and understood. This is achieved formally through consultation questionnaires, key-work sessions and house meetings, but also informally through conversations at meal times and during activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is no shortfall emerging from this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to care for up to three young people aged 10 to 17 who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/08/2016 Full Good 15/09/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness 21/07/2015 Full Good 22/01/2015 Interim Improved 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 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

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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