Children's home run by Hampshire County Council in Winchester

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection in April 2016 nine recommendations were raised. The manager has demonstrated capacity to improve as eight of the nine recommendations have been met. As a result of this interim inspection, three requirements have been raised in relation to the management of safeguarding concerns, major sanctions, and seeking the views and experiences of all stakeholders when monitoring the quality of provision. The recommendation relating to the home‟s locality risk assessment has been reinstated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has reviewed the home‟s safeguarding policies and statement of purpose. These documents now detail the home‟s complaints procedures and actions to take when a safeguarding matter arises. Despite this, the manager has failed to follow the revised policies. There has been one allegation made against a member of staff since the last inspection. Action taken in response was not in line with the statutory guidance, „Working together to safeguard children‟ (2015).

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical interventions are rare, and since the last inspection the records show that five interventions have taken place. These interventions have been for short periods of time and used only as a last resort. However, the manager‟s monitoring of the records of these incidents has failed to identify deficiencies, for example that the sanctions imposed as a result of young persons unwanted behaviour are not restorative. The central record did not demonstrate that the views of the young person had been sought after the intervention. Moreover, the members of staff involved in the intervention are not provided with a formal opportunity to reflect on their practice to prevent further incidents occurring.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has actioned the recommendation raised at the last inspection that permission is gained to review the young people‟s records. Independent monitoring of the home takes place regularly, however, visits mostly occur during the school day. Reports are generally informative. However, the independent visitor‟s monitoring had not identified the weaknesses found at this inspection, and the reports do not confirm if the views and experiences of the young people, staff, parents and social workers have been sought. This is a missed opportunity, and does not assist the manager with the development of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Observations of staff interaction with the young people were that they were warm, encouraging and thoughtful. Despite staff‟s good care, outcomes for two of the young people have declined. This has been particularly in relation to one young person persistently going missing, often for days at a time, and travelling substantial distances to see family members. In response, the manager has acted as a strong advocate for the young person. She has maintained good links with the police and safeguarding agencies. She has been instrumental in liaising with the local authority to relocate the young person nearer to family members. As a result, an alternative placement has been identified that will reduce the risks associated with going missing from home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has reviewed the home‟s locality risk assessment. However, further development is required to ensure that staff are provided with the most up-to-date information. The revised document does not comprehensively consider the local resources and the impact that these could have on the safety and well-being of the young people at the home, for example the location and operational hours of emergency services, public transport services in the local area, motorways and bridges. As a result, the recommendation has been reinstated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, a quality standard was raised in relation to the education and employment arrangements for the young people. In response, the manager and her team have been actively sourcing alternative learning opportunities for two of the young people, and have successfully secured voluntary work for one young person. In addition, young people have been encouraged and supported to attend college open days, and to consider courses that are aligned with their personal interests and abilities. Another young person‟s education attendance and attainment are exemplary. His attendance has increased to 100% and his educational reviews state that he is meeting all of his targets.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people living at this home continue to benefit from being looked after by a manager and a team of carers who continue to work hard to help them to achieve and develop their independence skills. Each young person now has their own independence programme which enables them to develop skills according to their age and ability. Folders are well maintained and provide photographic evidence of young people‟s achievements and both newly acquired and developing skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager and her team have undertaken a significant amount of work with the young people to prepare them for the move to a new, purpose-built home. Wall displays provide the young people who are relocating to the new home with a visual image of their new home. They are actively encouraged to choose which bedroom they would like, colour schemes and soft furnishings.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a local authority. The home provides care and accommodation for a maximum of four children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/04/2016 Full Good 09/12/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness 05/08/2015 Full Good 03/03/2015 Interim Not judged

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children‟s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the „Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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34 The protection of children standard

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure- (2)(a) that staff (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child‟s welfare; and (vii) are familiar with the, and act in accordance with, the home‟s child protection policies; (e) ensure that the effectiveness of the home‟s child protection policies is monitored regularly. 28/04/2017

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35 Behaviour management policies and records

In order to meet the behaviour management and record standard the registered person must ensure that-

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35 Behaviour management policies and records

(3) (a) within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— (vii) the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and (b) within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)— (i) has spoken to the user about the measure; and 28/04/2017 (ii) has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and (c) within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure.

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44 Independent person: visits and reports

In order to meet the independent visits and reports the registered person must ensure that- (a) if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and (b) to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home‟s records (except for a child‟s case records, unless the child and the child‟s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires. (5) The independent person‟s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. 28/04/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home‟s location and strategies for managing these. This includes the risks presented by local amenities. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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 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 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

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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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