Children's home in Winchester

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last 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

Young people continue to make good progress, especially in their education. All of the young people attend school or college. They are able to take their GCSEs or A levels and have ambition for further learning in the future, for example through a university education. Most of the young people do not smoke; the minority that do smoke use an e-cigarette as they seek to stop the habit. Going missing is not currently an issue.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have been successful in applying behaviour management plans. Their consistent approach in using de-escalation strategies, and use of the therapeutic model to address the underlying emotional disturbance, means that physical intervention is rare. The recording of incidents is excellent, with thorough management oversight. The registered manager ensures that there is corrective and supportive action to prevent the recurrence of incidents and that all staff are aware of how to keep the young people safe. An example is the completion of suicide and self-harm forms that clearly inform staff of the actions they must take should such an incident occur. A professional commented most positively on the progress made by a young person and praised the staff for the work they are doing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to operate the home in accordance with the statement of purpose. Placing social workers are clear on the aims and objectives and the parenting model that the home adopts. Placements are successful, and some young people are able to return to their families. One parent stated, ‘The care, support and empathy that you have shown not only [name of young person] but us as a family has been amazing. Nothing has been too much trouble.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is committed to prevent the criminalisation of the young people in her care. She does her utmost to use a restorative justice approach within the home, thereby avoiding police involvement, for example in the case of damage to a staff member’s car.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are learning self-management skills. They are developing into mature and responsible members of society. Young people’s relationships with their families improve, and they are able to increase contact with them. Staff support young people to understand their life story and develop a sense of identity and attachment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage the young people to express their views. This includes using the home’s complaint procedure if things are not resolved informally. The registered manager then carefully considers the issues and resolves them effectively. Young people provide written evidence of their satisfaction as to the outcome.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has improved the environment, for example decorating communal areas. She has changed the locks on bedroom doors to a more suitable arrangement, as required at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage young people to attend statutory reviews themselves, as well as representing the views of the young people in their care. Staff report back verbally the outcomes from reviews but do not record this on the young people’s case files. They do not request the formal minutes to inform fully the placement plan. Some staff may miss key information as a result. Young people over the age of 16 have pathway plans in place. Staff ensure that there are clear plans to support young people towards independence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy trusting and constructive relationships with staff. They are able to talk to them about their concerns. Staff demonstrate good practice when young people raise any safeguarding concerns, for example about images they have received on mobile devices. The registered manager involves other safeguarding professionals in the decision-making process to address the immediate concerns. Staff are aware of the strategies to safeguard young people. However, these are not always formally recorded in the case records.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor monitors the safeguarding procedures and incidents on a regular basis. He submits reports to the relevant parties, including Ofsted. However, he does not fully evaluate the action taken by staff and record his professional opinion, in accordance with the regulations, as to whether the safeguarding processes are effective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has reviewed the policy on e-safety as per the requirement at the last inspection. She has devised a system to identify the various applications available to download on mobile devices and the risk that they pose to young people. She has ensured that staff are aware of the technology and alert to the risks. The registered manager does not have a system in place to monitor safe internet use, for example in the use of applications or online gaming. However, young people do complete a formal academic module to learn about e-safety, and staff educate them about keeping safe online. The registered manager has not yet considered which type of sanctions might be appropriate in response to any misuse of the internet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager works well with other agencies, such as child adolescent and mental health services. She has a transparent relationship with Ofsted, notifying and updating of significant events. She has been successful in registering as the manager of this home.

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is owned and managed by a local authority. The home provides long-term care for up to six young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The young people currently accommodated are all male. The home uses an established parenting model to work with and measure the progress of each young person.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/04/2016 Full Good 22/12/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness 08/07/2015 Full Outstanding 29/01/2015 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

Maintain case records for each child which include the information and documents listed in schedule 3 in relation to each child. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)) Especially ensure that the date and result of any review of the placing authority's plan for the care of the child, or of the child's placement plan is accurately recorded. 28 April 2017

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the independent visitor's report sets out the independent person's opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)) 28 April 2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the policy on protection of children from abuse includes arrangements in dealing with e-safety, especially how the safe use of electronic devices is monitored, and consider what sanctions are appropriate for misuse. (Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards, page 44, paragraph 9.19)

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Recommendations

 Keep children’s case records up to date, especially the agreed strategies to keep young people as safe as possible online. (Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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 0300123 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, 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,

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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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

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