Children's home run by Pathfinders (childcare) Limited in Rochdale

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

Young people living in the home continue to make improved and sustained progress as a result of the exceptional care provided by the manager and staff team. One young person commenced mainstream education from September 2016 and is positively engaging in additional support so that she is able to achieve her GCSEs. This is significant progress and reflects the effectiveness of the nurture and encouragement of the staff team. The other young person is exceeding initial targets at college, having obtained GCSEs at the end of Year 11. Both enjoy a broad range of activities both in and outside of the home and are positively encouraged to experience new opportunities. One young person enjoys dressage lessons, attending work experience at a farm and participates in charity events, while the other enjoys go-karting, dog-walking, baking and going to the gym. This promotes young people’s involvement in community activities, builds their social

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and independence skills, and develops their sense of self-esteem and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Positive relationships are promoted safely, particularly when young people are subject to deprivation of liberty safeguards, to ensure that there is a responsible level of supervision, while supporting greater independence. Young people are inherently involved in the development of the home, contributing to and participating in improvements to the physical environment. They each designed a room, and the home is filled with their artwork. One young person also participates in the recruitment of new staff for the provider and is involved in participation projects with her placing authority.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no new admissions or discharges from the home. One young person is being supported in her transition towards independence. Her independent reviewing officer confirmed that an adult services social worker will be co-working with the current social worker and the home, to ensure that this is planned smoothly and effectively. Both young people are working towards their independent living skills programme to support their practical skills, such as budgeting, planning, cooking and household tasks. This will enhance their confidence in being prepared to successfully manage their lives as adults.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are protected and nurtured as a result of the strong relationships built with the staff. The team is sensitive to changes in young people’s moods and works proactively to support their emotional well-being, alongside services such as the child and adolescent mental health services. On the extremely rare occasion that young people go missing, the staff proactively look for them and work well with other agencies to ensure that they return safely to the home, and implement strategies to reduce risk. Negative consequences are rarely implemented because staff manage the behaviour of young people, who respond to the consistent boundaries and guidance in place. Young people are not criminalised, and have commented that they expect harsher consequences if they display negative behaviour. Positive behaviour is recognised and praise is used relentlessly, reflecting the nurturing approach used within the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has highly effective working relationships with other professionals to support the holistic needs of young people living in the home. The home works closely with one young person’s college, with daily handovers to ensure that she receives consistent support within both environments. The nurse for children looked after visits regularly to complete work, including raising young people’s understanding of child sexual exploitation. Regular communication is maintained with social workers, whose feedback is positive in respect of the child-focused and high quality of care provided at the home. The manager is a strong advocate for young people and will challenge other professionals where necessary to ensure that relevant plans are current and services are delivered. Young people are listened to and experience positive contact with the important people in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to lead and inspire a stable staff team to provide an excellent standard of care. They are committed to achieving the best outcomes for young people and have high aspirations for their futures. Staff feel very well supported by the manager, who encourages their sense of shared ownership through delegated responsibility for different aspects of the running of the home. Supervision is regular and reflective, and supports the team to practice in line with the enabling environment approach used in the home. Monthly internal monitoring identifies progress made by young people and any areas of improvement. There is effective oversight of the home, and any shortfalls are addressed robustly. Disciplinary procedures were followed and additional training identified in response to an error in medication administration. Improved evaluation via external monitoring visits would be beneficial to the manager’s understanding of the quality

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement and one recommendation were made at the last inspection. The notification of an admission to the home had been made to the local authority in which the home is located, and this is now on file. Health care plans are up to date and are kept under regular review.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by an established private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/07/2016 Full Outstanding 15/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 08/12/2015 Full Outstanding 24/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in the home's care. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 65, paragraph 15.5)  Ensure that medicines are administered in line with a medically approved protocol. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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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 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.

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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 0300123 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, 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,

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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

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

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