Children's Home run by Steps 4 Life Care Limited in Wolverhampton

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 been discharged and one young person has been admitted to the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been incidents of young people going missing from care, self-harm and challenging behaviours. Staff have swiftly implemented safeguarding procedures to address the risks. This has included working in close partnership with other professionals including the police, healthcare services and placing authorities. Because of this multi-agency approach, young people’s risk-taking behaviours are reducing.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the needs of young people, including the need to feel reassured and cared for. Staff achieve this by offering young people positive attention, praise and encouragement. Staff are intuitive, alert and responsive to the needs of young people and, as a result, they are able to recognise trigger signs quickly and take the necessary steps to de-escalate situations. This means that young people are not regularly restrained and say that they feel safe and cared for.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Key-working sessions have a clear focus on the young people’s specific needs including, when required, covering sensitive topics such as healthy relationships and risks of child sexual exploitation.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When appropriate, young people are encouraged to develop their cooking abilities and take part in the household chores. Young people enjoy a number of activities both inside and outside of the home, which include going to the cinema, theme parks and playing board games.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are knowledgeable of the young people’s cultural and health needs. However, this knowledge is not captured in individualised care plans. This means that new staff coming into the home are not fully informed of the young people’s needs .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements raised at the full inspection have been met. Staff now have up- to-date training, they receive regular supervision and risk assessments are promptly updated .

p.2

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a private company.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/09/2016 Full Good 17/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/11/2015 Full Good 10/12/2014 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 within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child that include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3. The records must be kept up to date, and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (a)) 24/05/2017

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 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.

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 0300 123 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