Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements were made at the last inspection. At the time of this inspection, the two requirements are met. Since the full inspection, one young person has met the aims of his care plan and transitioned to a supported living placement. Staff supported the young person to achieve independence with a thorough transition plan. Staff worked effectively in partnership with parents, the social worker and partner agencies. As a consequence, the young person was well prepared, enabling a positive and smooth transition.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress. Young people access a range of creative and bespoke activities within and outside of the home. Young people are able to choose the activities they would like to do and are helped to take positive risks. Consequently, this helps to develop their confidence and encourages them to access a wide range of social opportunities.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Members of staff have a good knowledge of behaviour strategies and techniques. This enables the staff team to minimise episodes of challenging behaviour with young people. There has been no use of physical restraint since the last inspection. This is due to the robust risk assessments and behaviour management plans that staff have in place for young people. This helps young people to remain safe while reducing young people’s anxiety and episodes of challenging behaviour.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team works in close partnership with the psychiatrist and teachers to share information and gain advice. For example, behaviour strategies are shared by staff with teachers and Signalong training is to be provided by school staff. This child-focused practice ensures that agencies work together in the best interests of young people to promote their progress and well-being.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff team have good relationships with parents. Staff members promote contact arrangements in the best interests of young people to ensure that they feel happy and settled in the home. One parent told the inspector ‘I felt able to share my views and always felt welcomed. My son was well looked after and there were no issues’. However, young people are not routinely asked about their wishes and feelings in relation to the care they receive. Key-working sessions are not recorded regularly to reflect the progress and achievements that young people are making. As a result, young people’s wishes and feelings are not routinely gathered to ensure that they are satisfied with the quality of care they receive.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, improvements have been made, with a new kitchen fitted and new laminate flooring to bedroom areas. However, the bathroom has severe mould around the bath area and across the ceiling. The shower room also smells of damp and has paint peeling from the ceiling. This ongoing shortfall has an impact on the quality of care young people receive. As a result, this has an impact on the health and well-being of young people, and their home environment presents as uncared-for.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people who have learning disabilities and emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/10/2016 Full Good 09/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/12/2015 Full Good 17/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

p.5

Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to: (c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to: (i) meet the needs of each child. 31/05/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

7: The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

p.5

Requirement Due date

(1) The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who: (c) take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives and; (2)(b) ensure that each child: (i) is enabled to provide feedback to, and raise issues with, a relevant person about the support and services that the child receives. 30/04/2017

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. 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.

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 0300123 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 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.7