Children's home in Stratford-on-Avon

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to provide the young person with a high standard of care. The young person is looking for alternative accommodation and when he moves, this home will close.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home caters for one young person who is preparing for independence and expects to move in the summer. His local authority provides him with a good level of support and staff help him to gradually increase his skills. Staff are currently supporting him with budgeting and managing his own medication. To help him understand how it feels to be independent, he has successfully spent time in the home alone. Staff prepared him well and ensured that he passed online tests first, including fire safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Progress is clear but not always straightforward. Because the young person is developing a variety of interests, his attention is sometimes distracted. However, he attends college regularly and is on target to pass crucial examinations. In recognition of his financial commitments, he has recently obtained a more reliable part-time job. He is passionate about his motorbike and is looking forward to learning to drive a car. He said, ‘I’m very happy [here]. Due to the staff’s hard work, I’ve been very successful!’ A consultant health specialist said, ‘[He’s] a completely different person [now].’ Negative events hardly ever occur. The young person has increased his network of friends and is thoroughly engaged in the local community. A visiting community support officer verified the young person’s progress from being a challenging child into a polite grown-up who makes appropriate decisions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This period of transition for the young person is reflected in changes to the care arrangements. The manager has taken responsibility for an additional children’s home within the company. This means that he spends less time here, and his relationship with the young person has had to alter slightly. The plans to close the home have had some natural repercussions in the team. Despite the efforts of the manager to retain them, one member of staff has left and another has resigned. The young person is responding by shifting his focus to his social circle and activities outside the home, which is a healthy development. He has learned how to care for other people and how to express his feelings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Because of his additional responsibilities, the manager has delegated additional tasks to the team. Nevertheless, the bungalow is clean and tidy and staff complete administrative tasks thoroughly. The manager supervises staff well, and they are up to date with their training. The independent reviewing officer recently wrote, ‘This continues to be an excellent service.’ A newly involved leaving care worker confirmed this. At the last inspection, Ofsted did not raise any requirements or recommendations. The manager does not anticipate any further changes before the home closes.

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Information about this children's home

A large national company operates this home. Ofsted has registered the home to provide care and accommodation for one child who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/11/2016 Full Outstanding 23/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/09/2015 Full Good 03/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 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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