Children's Home run by Dove Adolescent Services Limited in Barnsley

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

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 improved effectiveness . Young people are benefiting from a stable and secure placements. One young person has been living in the home for over five years and has built strong and trusting relationships with the staff team. This facilitates open communication and appropriate advice and guidance to be accepted by the young person. For example, concerns about her partner’s behaviours towards her were discussed. She now has a new partner and is experiencing a healthy and safe relationship. Young people continue to make progress in relation to their education and physical and emotional health, and to gain positive experiences. One young person has established a positive friendship group, which is flourishing. Young people enjoy a number of activities, such as trips to the coast and ice-skating. Important

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

milestones for young people are marked, with one young person recently enjoying their 18 th birthday, with gifts and a celebration. Staff continue to support young people’s engagement in education and work hard to ensure that each young person’s specific educational needs are met. As a result, the young people are working well towards achieving their ambitions. Young people also have the opportunity to engage in new learning opportunities, such as gaining work experience at a local riding centre for people with disabilities. Young people are provided with opportunities to develop their independence skills. Independence plans are designed to build on and develop young people’s current capabilities. One young person is now successfully cooking a meal once a week for everyone and, in addition, is able to undertake independent travel. During this inspection period, there have been no admissions into the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

However, any referrals received are viewed against the needs and the impact on the young people in placement. When young people move on from the home, they continue to receive good support from staff. To support the future admission of children and young people the manager should ensure the home presents as a welcoming environment and therefore the current programme of redecoration needs to continue. Young people are kept safe by a staff team that understands their needs and can manage their complex behaviours. As a result, there have been minimal episodes of missing and the staff have not needed to use physical restraint. Staff have used sanctions to bring in consequences for young people’s negative behaviours, these measures are effectively reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate. However, the records need to consistently evidence that the young people have been consulted about the measures implemented.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people are further protected because new staff are provided with a thorough induction to the home, and guidance and training to ensure that they can meet the care needs of the young people. The manager ensures that staff are up to date with training on contemporary issues, such as female genital mutilation and radicalisation. Additionally, the home’s procedures and the statement of purpose now include guidance around female genital mutilation and radicalisation. The manager should send a copy of the revised statement of purpose through to HMCI. The manager has taken action to meet the recommendations raised at the last inspection. She ensures that the home is effectively managed and closely monitors the progress of young people. Records should, however, be accessible to a designated member of staff in the absence of the manager.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

04/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 Some records may be kept electronically, provided that this information can be easily accessed by anyone with a legitimate need to view it. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 14.2) This is with particular reference to ensuring that designated staff can access records required when the manager is absent from work.  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and the above principles as set out in 9.35 are respected. ('Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards', page 46, paragraph 9.36).

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Recommendations

With particular reference to the recording of sanctions, ensure that the person recording the sanction signs and dates when young people have been consulted about the consequence. This will evidence that children have been consulted in a timely manner.  For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases be homely, domestic environments. ('Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9).

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Recommendations

This is with particular reference to the maintenance of the decoration of the home, to ensure all areas present as clean and welcoming.  Homes are required to develop and keep under review a "Statement of Purpose" ('Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards', page 14, paragraph 3.5).

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Recommendations

This is with particular reference to the manager sending a copy of the revised statement of purpose, which includes information on the current staff structure and training and procedure around female genital mutilation and radicalisation through to HMCI.

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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 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 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

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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

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