Children's home SC408263

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 effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people in this home are experiencing very good care and are making excellent progress from their starting points. Staff know the children and young people’s needs and histories. They contribute to multi-agency assessments and planning to improve their outcomes. Since the last inspection, there have been a number of developments and the home manager has ensured that these start from the child and young person’s perspective. Plans start with a person-centred conversation which successfully involves children and young people in contributing to their targets and their safety plans. Children and young people have led on developing the welcome pack for the home and revisited the way that residents meetings are organised so that it is their agenda. The staff have developed a girls’ empowerment group, identifying particular issues that the girls want to discuss and learn about. Similarly, a boys’ group has been

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

developed, focused on particular interests and activities. Staff are promoting positive role models for the children and young people, building constructive peer relationships and enhancing their skills and knowledge in areas of interest. The manager has introduced Friday afternoon ‘Cake with Kate’. Staff, children and young people contribute by making cakes. They all have an informal discussion about how the week has been. There are certificates and rewards for different achievements every week. It has become a popular, fun event that reinforces positive parenting. There is a ‘wow’ board in the home positively to reinforce achievements, small steps forward and positive behaviours. The manager’s ethos is to ensure that all children and young people have a range of opportunities. She has developed the ‘culture club’. Every month there is an event that children and young people can choose and experience, such as a film,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

game or book that is new to them. The home manager particularly values and drives progress in education for the children and young people. She has developed excellent partnerships with schools and education providers. She has a good understanding of the progress that children and young people should be making and she has challenged if she believes that targets are not sufficiently aspirational or helpful. Staff have also worked closely with education settings. They have been tenacious and flexible in supporting the management of risky behaviours, so that concerns have reduced. Children and young people have been able to remain in school when in the past arrangements have broken down. All children and young people are in full-time education, and they have excellent attendance and improving attainment records. Children and young people are aspirational and optimistic about the future. One child has moved from primary to secondary school. He has a history of difficult

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

experiences within education settings. He was extremely positive about this transition. Professionals report that he is flourishing, making academic progress as well as building positive relationships. Staff contribute to the assessment of contact arrangements. They have supported children and young people to improve relationships and have advocated on their behalf when arrangements need changing. As a result, the quality of contacts for children and young people with a range of family members and friends has been enhanced. In some cases, staff have helped to identify additional needs, in their individual work with children and young people. They have worked with case-responsible social workers to ensure that relevant agencies and specialist resources are commissioned to meet those needs. Staff have proactively encouraged children and young people to respond to these services. For example, young people who have

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

previously refused services are engaging with a range of counselling services. The care by staff strikes the right balance between routines and structures and nurturing, positive relationships. As a result, children and young people feel safe and are achieving. There are very few incidents of children or young people going missing or the use of physical interventions. Children and young people contribute to their risk assessments and management plans. They have explicit contracts about safeguarding, for example the use of mobile phones and their free time away from the home. This is a no-smoking home, and there are no concerns about substance misuse. Some of the children and young people have complex histories and needs and are assessed to be vulnerable to a number of risks. Staff sensitively monitor behaviours and encourage children and young people to share feelings. Various methods are used by staff to assess and respond to moods and feelings. Young people have

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

‘wind down’ routines and have agreed ways of advising staff about how they are feeling. In children and young people’s records, staff have mapped with them circles of friends, contacts and areas where they go with friends and family to support good information for any safeguarding concerns. Children and young people have improved eating habits, sleeping routines and health. They have grown in confidence and as a result have developed new skills and interests. They are attending youth clubs and activity groups, and are sustaining friendships and relationships. There have been a small number of changes of staff and children and young people since the last inspection. Young people who have moved on have done so to placements to meet their specific needs. These have been agreed and planned transitions. Staff from the new placements have visited the home to observe practice and learn about individual needs over a period of time. Each young person

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

was supported to experience a positive ending with a party or event of their choice, involving all of the staff and children and young people. There have been two children and young people who have moved in to the home, who both shared that the moves were planned and involved visits to the home. They said that staff and young people and children have supported them to settle. Information about the proposed moves was carefully considered, and there was limited impact and no increased risk for the children and young people already living in the home. This manager has developed particularly strong partnership working relationships with a range of agencies, community resources and social workers. In this way, she has been able to influence the planning and services for children and young people. The home is comfortable and well maintained. There has been refurbishment of some of the rooms, and children and young people have been involved in choosing

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the decor. There are no health and safety concerns. The manager and staff have reviewed quality assurance audits and records and have made improvements. Children and young people’s records are child-focused. All records viewed included children and young people’s contributions and were signed by them. This means that they understand their targets and how risks are being managed to keep them safe. They have an opportunity to discuss and challenge information. All of the children and young people reported that they are included in discussions and decisions about their care. The manager is also driving staff development. There are workforce development plans and succession plans. Staff have opportunities for external and internal training, and contribute to development opportunities such as learning circles and by taking lead responsibility for specific practice areas. The manager shares up-to- date research and practice developments. Staff are developing skills and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

confidence, and as a result there is a stable, committed staff group.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home for up to five children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/05/2016 Full Good 22/12/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/06/2015 Full Good 12/03/2015 Interim Improved 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 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. 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.

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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 0300 123 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, 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,

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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