Children's home run by BREAK

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 improved in effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the requirement that was made at the last inspection.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children. The staff have completed additional child protection training that is specific to children who have disabilities. The manager is proactive in seeking appropriate advice and support from professionals to keep children safe. The manager and staff share information appropriately. A social worker said:

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Communication is very good. I have developed good working relationships with the team and the manager. They always keep me informed. I will get an email. We will also chat and talk issues through and make a plan of what to do.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff take effective action in response to concerns in order to promote the children’s safety. The staff are well informed about safeguarding procedures and they are aware of the whistleblowing procedures. This ensures that the children’s welfare is a priority.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff use physical intervention as a last resort to protect the children. The staff make detailed records of the incidents, and the manager provides oversight of the incidents to ensure that they are justified and proportionate. The staff benefit from debriefing following incidents. The children’s views are sought and recorded. This gives the staff the opportunity to reflect on their practice and gives the children the chance to raise any concerns and to reflect on their behaviour. Clear and comprehensive behaviour management plans reflect the individual needs of the children, the potential triggers and the preferred ways to manage the resulting behaviours. The plans guide the staff in caring safely for each child.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff communicate effectively with other agencies and with families and carers. The feedback from professionals and family members about the care provided and the communication that they receive is positive.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The admissions process works well for children and their families. Good information sharing prior to admissions, along with opportunities for children to visit the home, contribute to smooth transitions. The admissions proceed at a pace that meets the individual child’s needs. Consequently, children and their families feel supported and anxieties are reduced.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff support the children to engage with education. There are strong links with the local schools. An education professional said: ‘The resource [the home] is invaluable. Working together means that we can manage to keep the children in their own home community with their families.’ This provides the children with stability and consistency which enables them to progress. A social worker said:

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

He [child] is making progress and his behaviour has improved, certainly compared to how he used to be. He has his freedom. The staff have built really good relationships with him. It’s quite clear that he enjoys his time there [the home].

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff seek the children’s views in one-to-one meetings and through the children’s meetings. The staff support the children to make choices regarding their menus and activities. The children’s individual needs are a priority.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are committed to developing the children’s interests and confidence. They take time to get to know the children; they genuinely care for them and want them to do well and be happy. The staff encourage the children to participate in the activities that they enjoy. The children visit the cinema, local parks and the local youth club. This helps them to develop their peer networks in the community.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment is welcoming and thoughtfully arranged, with bright art work on the walls and symbols and pictures. This provides a bright, homely, accessible and safe environment for all of the children.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children make good progress. Their individual care plans are clear, with specific emphasis on making progress in identified aspects of their development. There are rewards for achievements and progress that include certificates and stickers. The children develop their personal and social skills. One of the children has made good progress in reducing incidents of challenging behaviour and improving his self-care skills. A family member said: They [staff] know him very well. Even though he is not the easiest child, they know what to expect and that he might get upset. They are in tune with him and deal with him so well. They are great.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team provides nurturing and quality care to the children. This makes the children feel safe, comfortable and well cared for. The staff recognise when the children have had a difficult day at school or at home. There is consistency of care from staff who work together effectively to manage the needs of the children. The staff describe the home as a ‘family’. The external and internal review of the quality of care is effective and informative. This monitoring contributes effectively to improvements in practice and service provision.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered for up to six children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities. The home provides two different services in the same building. Children are provided with a short-break scheme at the weekends and during school holidays. During term-time, the home provides boarding placements to children attending linked special schools.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/04/2016 Full Good 11/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 26/08/2015 Full Good 10/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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. Whenever 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

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