Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

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 improved effectiveness . All members of staff ensure that the home environment is bright, very clean and child focused. The registered manager and all staff members have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and are vigilant in ensuring that young people are kept safe during their short stays. The staff act on the wishes and feelings of young people. For example, nightlights have been purchased for young people who are afraid of the dark. This means that young people feel safe when they stay and their well-being is promoted. Parents are highly satisfied with the service provided and one parent told the inspector, ‘Staff are flexible and supportive. It does not feel too residential here, it feels like a home and a usual living room. There is a lovely garden and sensory room, there are lots of facilities they use and staff are keen to do things, not just

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

slump children in front of the telly.’ Since the last inspection, new flooring has been fitted to two bedrooms. This has improved the quality of accommodation for young people. The manager is waiting for the delivery of a new vehicle. This will ensure that young people have better access to the community by having a vehicle that takes into account their diverse needs. The registered manager and members of staff are enthusiastic about making sure that young people benefit from the wide range of activities. This includes music therapy, aromatherapy and community trips. This helps young people to experience new opportunities and to have fun during their short stays. Young people make progress from their starting points. Individual targets are set for young people to make their beds and help with cooking. As a result, young people develop essential life skills. Some young people have become healthier with

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the guidance of staff. For example, one young person would only eat one type of food and, after a lot of encouragement and support from members of staff, is now trying different types of foods. This child-centred approach promotes young people’s health, self-esteem and well-being. All staff members are passionate about having good communication with other professionals, such as schools. This enables staff to remain focused on young people’s individual needs and to make sure that young people’s wishes and feelings are considered at all times. There have been no complaints, safeguarding incidents or episodes of young people going missing from care since the last inspection. Staff receive up-to-date training across all areas of safeguarding to ensure that young people are protected from harm and their needs promoted. All members of staff understand the behavioural needs of young people. This means that young people are able to manage their behaviour to a level that

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

enables them to enjoy their time interacting with each other, and to benefit from all the opportunities available to them during their short breaks. One recommendation was made at the full inspection for the internet to be available to all young people. This has not been met. This delay is hindering the wishes and feeling of young people being fully respected. This shortfall has now been moved to a requirement. Staff do not always ensure that up-to-date short break review documents are held on young people’s files. This hinders the staff team’s ability to monitor and review the progress and needs of young people appropriately. The registered manager has not escalated this shortfall to the local authority. This means that staff do not always have access to all essential background information that helps them to understand every aspect of a young person’s needs.

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Information about this children’s home

This children and young people’s short breaks unit is run by the county council’s children’s services department. It provides regular planned short breaks for children and young people of school age who have moderate to severe learning disabilities and who present significantly challenging behaviour.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

15/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 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 children’s views, wishes and feelings standard (1) The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who— (c) take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. This is with specific reference to the requests children have made for wi-fi internet access. 30/04/17

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child, which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child, and ensure that they are kept up to date, with specific reference to short break review documents. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)) 31/05/17

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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 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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