Children's home run by Castle Homes Limited in North Northamptonshire

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements made at the last inspection have been effectively actioned. The registered manager monitors the review of care plans and risk assessments to ensure that they are consistently good. Improved care plans now comprehensively address areas of risk and provide clear guidance for staff to keep the young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirement in relation to staff qualifications has been met. All staff, including agency staff, have the level 3 qualification or are working towards completing it.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recommendations made at the last inspection have also been implemented. The registered manager has devised a recording system to ensure that staff evidence the action that they have taken to engage the young people in education. Some young people still struggle, but staff continue to work with them to engage them in learning or activity programmes. Staff have good links with social workers and teachers, and issues regarding non-attendance or the young people’s behaviour are successfully addressed in multi-professional meetings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Reports for child looked after reviews are thorough, highlighting the individual’s successes and areas for continued development. Young people contribute to all aspects of their care. They attend care-planning meetings and play an active role in decision making.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No young people have moved into or left the home since the last inspection. The current group of young people are a stable, secure group. They make good use of forums such as the young people’s meetings and key-work sessions to influence how the home is run, and to learn appropriate behaviours and social skills. They are all making good progress, and enjoy positive relationships with the staff and each other. Staff know the young people well and provide care that meets their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s emotional needs are a priority. Young people are supported to attend therapy. Staff have a good understanding of the impact that therapy has on young people and how best to assist them. This supports young people to become more open about their past and present experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding issues are managed well and are reported to the appropriate external agencies. Staff demonstrate good knowledge of child sexual exploitation and missing from home policies. They know how to use these. A staff member said, ‘The training has opened my eyes up to issues that I had not considered.’ One young person who was previously at high risk of sexual exploitation has reduced the number of times that she goes missing. She remains in contact with the staff while missing. Staff encourage her to return and welcome her when she does.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people sustain positive behaviour and have learned coping strategies for when they are angry or distressed. The positive relationships between the staff and the young people mean that staff are able to identify triggers for negative behaviours, and they act swiftly to de-escalate situations. The registered manager closely monitors incident records to ensure that interventions are necessary, and shares any lessons learned with the staff. Restorative justice discussions re- establish positive relationships between peers. Key-work sessions effectively help the young people to reduce risky behaviours. Staff educate the young people to use the internet safely. They help the young people to take risks in a supported environment. Young people learn to take responsibility for their own safety while using social media. Healthy lifestyles are promoted. Young people attend smoking cessation workshops to help them to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

reduce smoking. One young person has stopped smoking as a result.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The environment is homely. Young people are able to personalise their rooms. They are encouraged to show a commitment to the home. Two young people have become responsible pet owners. One of them said, ‘I have been given the opportunity to show that I can care for animals, which will help me when I run my own business selling pets.’ Doors are locked in the evening to restrict access to certain areas. However, these restrictive practices have not been individually assessed or reviewed to demonstrate why they are necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is an ethos of emphasising accomplishments. Initiatives such as a reward system are effective. Staff complete pathway plans with young people to prepare them for independent living. Staff help the young people to gain employment by supporting them to write curricula vitae, apply for apprenticeships and prepare for interviews. The young people value this support, which has given them the self- confidence to pursue these opportunities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a thorough understanding of the needs and vulnerabilities of each young person. Close monitoring of the service by the manager ensures that staff maintain a good standard of care. She is continually developing the service to provide an increasingly high standard of care.

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home provides a residential provision for up to four young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The children’s home is run by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/09/2016 Full Good 08/12/2015 Full Good

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Just as in a family home, children should be able to access all shared areas of their home unless there are specific reasons why this would not meet a child’s needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10) In particular the locking of doors at night should be reviewed to take into account the needs of all the young people placed.

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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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