Children's Home run by Woodside House Care Ltd in Blackburn with Darwen

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, four recommendations were raised to improve practice, and all have been addressed effectively. This demonstrates that managers learn from inspection and make improvements that benefit young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New systems capture young people’s views about their care more effectively. Furthermore, improvements made to young people’s monthly progress reports will better inform quality of care reviews. As a result, managers will be able to write a more focused quality of care review report and better evaluate the impact of the care provided to young people on their experiences and progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor ensures that more of his monthly visits to the home are unannounced. The visitor also makes it clear that he provides young people with the opportunity to talk to him in private. This allows for more robust external oversight.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff have participated in a fire drill, thus they are more familiar with what to do in the event of such an emergency. Staff now receive supervision at timely intervals. As a result, they have more opportunity to reflect on their practice and development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive exceptionally high standards of care. Stability, consistency, good routines and a very nurturing environment enable young people to make continuous progress. For example, one young person who was new to the home at the time of the last inspection is flourishing. Improved sleep patterns help his concentration at school and he has received certificates from his teachers for outstanding behaviour. The young person’s independent reviewing officer said, ‘X is making superb progress and it is wonderful to see the potential that he has.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people continue to make good progress with their education. Managers and staff advocate for young people to ensure that they have the right support in school. Furthermore, staff encourage young people to complete their homework, thus they support young people’s learning at home. High levels of support enable young people to reach their potential. Staff promote young people’s physical and emotional health needs well. Referrals to specialist services have progressed and an appointment has now been received for one young person. Young people put on weight, when this is beneficial, and their dental hygiene has improved. Medical professionals are pleased with this progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When challenges arise, the staff respond well. They share information and seek advice from relevant professionals so that young people receive appropriate support and guidance. Work to promote one young person’s independence while balancing risk is ongoing. Staff manage behaviour through communication and quality relationships. Consequences are rare, but when they are implemented they are fair and proportionate. No incidents of restraint have occurred between inspections, and young people do not go missing from home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to enjoy a wealth of opportunities and experiences that enrich their lives. These include theatre trips, overnight city breaks and sporting events, as well activities such as cooking, going to the cinema, and playing dominoes and badminton. Staff ensure that leisure activities suit young people’s interests and talents, and also enhance their development. For example, two young people went to a theatre production that gave positive messages about individuality and identity. Staff listen to young people. For example, one young person wanted to join the cadets and another young person wanted to go swimming more often. Both of these activities are now facilitated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff promote contact well. Clear arrangements, which are kept under review, ensure that young people enjoy safe and positive contact with people who are important to them. A social worker said: ‘[I am] very satisfied with how they manage [contact]. [Managers] use good judgement and communicate with me as necessary.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say that they are happy and safe. They thoroughly enjoy life at their home, and this promotes their development and welfare. Parents and professionals report positively on the care afforded to young people. For example, a parent said: ‘Everything is as good as it can be at the moment. [There is] genuine improvement in my son.’ One social worker said, ‘I can’t fault them’ and another social worker said, ‘I just wish that there were more places like it so that more children could benefit in the same that X clearly does.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations were raised.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is a private children’s home, owned and managed by a family partnership.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/11/2016 Full Outstanding 29/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 11/05/2015 Full Good 18/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 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 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

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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