Children's Home run by Compass Children‟s Homes Limited in Calderdale

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 improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements made at the last inspection have been met. The views of young people and those of parents and other professionals now inform self-evaluation of the standard of care. Full details of the staff team and therapy services offered are now included in the home’s statement of purpose. The quality of care is further improved by regular supervision and appraisal of staff.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person over the age of 18 has been accommodated at the home. The statement of purpose needs updating to reflect the fact that the home may accommodate young people over the age of 18. This will make it clear to young people, their families and other professionals the kind of service that they can expect from the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The majority of the recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Young people’s bedrooms have been redecorated, repairs to the fabric of the house have been completed and the garden is being landscaped. This helps to provide a good quality and homely environment of which young people can be proud. Good progress is being made with the recommendation to evaluate and record the progress of young people. The new manager has introduced peer support meetings for staff to reflect more fully on young people’s progress, but this has yet to be embedded in practice. The care and achievement of young people will be further strengthened by this more detailed information being recorded more effectively.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has left the home, supported by well- planned and effective transition arrangements. This resulted in a successful placement with specialist foster carers, followed by a transition home. Staff supported the young person exceptionally well, with a clear ‘keeping in touch’ plan, and this young person continues to have contact with the home. Thorough pre- evaluation was undertaken with one young person who has been re-admitted since the last inspection.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Other young people make good progress; all are engaging in the specialist therapeutic programme offered in the home and all are attending education at college or the school on site. Members of staff from the home secure the achievement of young people at college through effective partnership with the college safeguarding lead and the sensitive use of one-to-one supervision. The manager advocates for young people to enable them to make their own life choices, where appropriate. One young person plays in a band and another appears in performing arts productions. They are encouraged by staff, who often attend events in their own time. The cultural needs of young people are well met in a variety of ways, such as supporting them to attend church.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is staffed by a knowledgeable team which actively and continually assesses the risks to young people along with the risks they may pose to others. Comprehensive risk assessments and behaviour plans are agreed among between staff, young people, social workers and their families where appropriate. Agencies such as the police and education services are kept fully informed. As a result of the therapeutic programme, young people are gaining insight into their own risk-taking behaviours and are learning strategies to reduce and manage these. This safeguards both them and others.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are sensitive to the experiences of young people when managing their behaviour. As a result, the incidence of young people going missing is generally low. There have been no complaints or allegations against members of staff since the last inspection. When physical restraint is used, it is a last resort in order to protect young people or property. The manager debriefs staff and young people and utilises any learning that can be gained from incidents. For example, a ‘feelings’ book now allows young people to write to staff and receive a response back in a non-confrontational manner.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership with the wider support system of each child is effective and well established. Working relationships with the police are good, particularly in ensuring a quick response to any of the young people who go missing. One professional made the comment to the home that: ‘While his path to you is out of very unfortunate circumstances, it may well turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When appropriate, young people are supported to build positive relationships with their families. These strong links help to ensure that the risks to and from young people are well managed and the young people make positive strides in their capacity to build healthy relationships.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager has taken up post since the last inspection. She has an excellent level of understanding of the specialist needs of the young people and is ambitious for the young people in her care. Her effective monitoring and a focus on improvement ensure that young people make significant progress.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/06/2016 Full Good 15/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 25/08/2015 Full Good

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.5

Recommendations

 The home’s statement of purpose should be child-focused, indicating how the home provides individualised care to meet the quality standards for the children in their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.5) This is with particular reference to how the needs of young adults are met.

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. 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.

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 0300 123 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, 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,

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Text phone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.7