Children's Home run by Aspire Child Care Ltd in Rochdale

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

Young people’s progress is mixed. Although young people make some good progress with their health and social and emotional development, young people do not make good progress with their education. Young people who clearly maintain that they will not re-engage with their identified educational provision are not adequately supported by the manager to challenge their education agencies sufficiently. As such, the education opportunities which are being provided for one young person are insufficient and fall massively short of the statutory requirements. Consequently, young people fail to access a suitable educational provision that enables them to go on to fulfil their own aspirations and future goals, at a critical time in their learning.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive support and services to address their health needs quickly. This is because the manager and staff have forged positive links with health colleagues and workers within the child and adolescent mental health teams. These effective professional links and positive working relationships are used to support young people to attend health appointments and access health provisions which they had been reluctant to do previously. This enables young people to benefit from improved general health and emotional well-being.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported well by the staff to consider their behaviours which may be harmful to the safety and well-being of themselves and others. The manager and staff enlist the support and services from relevant agencies, such as the police and placing social workers, to reduce to likelihood of further incidents. The staff undertake meaningful work with young people and other agencies to educate young people on the risks associated with their behaviours, such as substance misuse. This coordinated response has supported young people to modify their behaviours successfully, which improves their safety and well-being as these risk-taking behaviours have reduced.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are encouraged to manage their emotions in a safe and managed way. Physical intervention has not been used by the staff because they use their positive relationships with young people to de-escalate situations. Staff act as role models by exhibiting calm and positive behaviour, and they support and encourage young people to behave in the same way. When young people engage in inappropriate behaviours, age-appropriate sanctions are used. This includes loss of privileges and the use of reparation to support young people to modify their anti- social behaviours and redress their actions which have caused distress and financial loss to others. This ensures that young people understand the consequences of their behaviour so that they can change and adapt it, and prevent the need for more formal police intervention.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Suitable action has been taken to address the three requirements and five recommendations from the previous inspection. Safe recruitment practice undertaken by the manager enhances the safety and well-being of vulnerable young people. The manager now ensures that a full employment history, including a satisfactory explanation of any gaps in employment, is provided. This ensures that only those adults who are safe and suitable work with vulnerable young people. In addition, the staff and young people’s safety is promoted within the home as the manager has ensured that the fixed wiring periodic inspection has been undertaken. Furthermore, the staff now routinely implement the updated clear and individual risk management plans when young people are missing from home. These incidents are rare and are well managed by the manager and staff team, who ensure that all the relevant agencies are informed and updated.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management arrangements at this home remain sufficient. Staff are inducted, trained and supported well by the manager to deliver a high standard of care to young people. Staff now receive the support and supervision as set out in the home’s statement of purpose, and confirm that they feel sufficiently supported by the manager to perform their roles well. Additional training opportunities include: sexualised behaviour in children and young people; managing risk; self-harm and suicide; misuse and the effects of drugs and trauma; and bullying in young people. These support the staff to increase and broaden their understanding of young people’s presenting needs and difficulties. These training and learning opportunities provide the staff team with a good range of skills and strategies to support young people well within these areas.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people can now access any required medical services or interventions, and a range of activities similar to those of their peers, as the manager has secured delegated authority from the placing local authority. Furthermore, the manager addresses any significant events swiftly, and takes any complaints seriously. She manages these situations well and now ensures that all the necessary agencies, including Ofsted, are informed quickly.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care and support for up to two children and young people. The home provides support and accommodation for children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/08/2016 Full Good 02/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 07/07/2015 Full Good 24/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Staff need to have the knowledge and skills to understand each child’s education and training targets and their next steps for learning. If a child’s progress is not in line with their agreed targets or next steps, staff should seek expert advice from educational professionals, such as the Virtual School Head. Staff must challenge the child’s education or training provider if the child does not receive sufficient support to progress as outlined in their plans. ('Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.11)  Children’s home staff should act as effective advocates for or on behalf of a child who may be experiencing difficulties with education or training matters including attendance or behaviour, as a good parent would do. ('Guide to the children’s

p.5

Recommendations

homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.12)

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 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