Children's home run by ABC Children’s Homes Limited in Stroud

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

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved out and two young people have moved in.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, staff and young people have been through a challenging time. There have been incidents of missing from care, alcohol misuse and challenging behaviour. The staff team has implemented safeguarding procedures in an attempt to address the risks. These have included working in partnership with other professionals including the police, independent reviewing officers and placing authorities.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are knowledgeable about young people’s needs and use de-escalation effectively to help young people manage their behaviour more safely.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage young people to attend school. When young people decline this, staff never give up trying to encourage young people’s learning.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are encouraged to keep fit and healthy. They take part in a range of sporting activities from playing football, snooker and bike riding. When appropriate young people are encouraged to learn life skills. Young people learn to cook, use the washing machine and are able to manage a small budget.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff are not afraid to challenge other professionals. For example, when young people have gone missing from care the staff have escalated with the placing authority the necessity for young people to receive a return to care interview. The manager has also challenged a young person’s criminal conviction, and getting it overturned. This intervention has improved the young person’s future employment chances.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manger and staff team are keen to develop the service. There has been new training available to staff and young people to help them strengthen their knowledge and skills.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a recent incident when staff brought alcohol into the home as part of a present exchange. The alcohol was kept in a locked cupboard. However, a young person was able to access the cupboard during an incident. The manager has brought in a new protocol to stop similar incidents happening in the future. Occasionally staff have shared their personal mobile phone numbers with young people . However, not all staff are fully aware of the home’s policies and procedures surrounding the use of their personal mobiles. This leaves staff and young people potentially vulnerable.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The one requirement and recommendation raised at the full inspection have been met. The manager’s working hours are now on the main staff rota and young people’s contact arrangements are detailed in their placement plan.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to care for up to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is currently offering medium to long-term care for young people aged eight to 18 years.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/11/2016 Full Good 16/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 09/09/2015 Full Good 18/09/2014 Full Adequate

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 with the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard. In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure; (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff- (a)(v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (This is in specific reference to staff understanding the policy in regards to sharing their personal mobile phone numbers with young people). 26/04/2017

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 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, workbased 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,

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

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.7