Children's Home run by Frances House Ltd in Lancashire

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 full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The young people who currently live in the home have continued to make good progress in many areas. Young people speak highly of staff and report having positive relationships with them. One young person said, ‘They are always there for you if you need anything or if you just want to talk.’ A requirement was made at the last inspection regarding the safe recruitment of staff. During this inspection, the registered manager was able to provide evidence that she has taken steps to address this requirement. The registered manager has reviewed and improved recruitment procedures and these improvements are reflected in the personnel files of recently recruited staff. However, a recommendation has been made to support further improvements in relation to the

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

recording of any additional fact finding or risk assessment carried out by the registered manager during the recruitment process. The registered manager has continued to support young people’s education and has worked closely with external professionals in an attempt to secure improvements in young people’s provision. Evidence is available to demonstrate that the registered manager has been in regular dialogue with relevant professionals, one of whom spoke very positively of the registered manager’s approach and commitment towards young people’s education. The registered manager has reviewed young people’s behaviour support plans in line with a recommendation made at the last inspection. The plans are now more individualised and contain a better level of information. This helps staff to support young people in a safer, more consistent way. Young people have made demonstrable progress in managing their behaviours due

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

to the individualised support that they receive and their positive relationships with staff. The parent of one young person said that they felt that staff had helped their child to ‘turn their life around’. A young person commented that they felt much more positive about their future due to the support that they had received at the home. Each young person who lives at the home has experienced a notable reduction in high-risk behaviours such as being missing from home. This means that they are safer on a day-to-day basis and more likely to engage in positive activities that help them to achieve. Staff carry out one-to-one work with young people on a regular basis. During the sessions, a number of areas are discussed such as alcohol and drug use, internet safety and relationships. The registered manager has developed the way in which these sessions are recorded to enable the direct work done with young people to

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

be effectively monitored. The registered manager continues to lead the home effectively, with close support from the providers of the organisation. Staff express satisfaction with the level of training and support that they receive and speak positively about the culture of the home. One staff member commented, ‘We can all say what we think here. We all value each other’s opinions and listen to each other.’

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation and is registered to care for up to five young people. The home cares for 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

24/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 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

 As set out in regulations 31–33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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 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 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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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