Children's home SC055357

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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The three recommendations raised at the last inspection are now met. There are no requirements or recommendations as result of this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive meaningful supervision that makes them accountable for their care practice. Records of supervisory sessions make clear the length of these meetings and also that staff focus on how best to meet the needs of the young people whom they are responsible for.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The bathroom ceiling has been repainted and is now in keeping with the high material standards evident throughout the home. In addition, building work is well underway on the „yurt‟ in the large well-resourced garden area. A member of staff said, „We will be able to use it when we do “holding the space” meetings with young people. It‟s right next to the waterfall, so they can hear that. It will feel like a really natural space.‟ Providing this type of resource helps young people feel valued and creates special childhood memories.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff ensure that young people who are moving on from the home receive support about how to budget when they become independent. This means that young people are less likely to get into financial difficulties. A member of staff said, „We have told the young person we are not going anywhere and we will still be here for support.‟ This reassures young people that they can rely on help from people they trust. These developments mean that previous recommendations from the last inspection are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people living at the home have a wide variety of needs and vulnerabilities. Staff have the skills and knowledge to care for the young people, and they demonstrate a sound knowledge of how to reduce the risk-taking behaviour that some young people struggle with. For example, staff work closely with the police and other agencies to disrupt the risk of sexual exploitation faced by some young people. They also provide young people with consistent messages about how to stay safe. When necessary, staff provide increased levels of supervision and support to help young people escape damaging relationships. A police officer said, „I have sat alongside staff; they most definitely understand child sexual exploitation, the difficulties and young people‟s vulnerabilities.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff invest in building trusting relationships with young people because they know that this is necessary to help them progress. All young people benefit from this approach, which results in improved behaviour within school, better relationships with their peers, and some young people being more able to take on and sustain increased responsibilities. Staff said, „[Name] looks after the guinea pigs and rabbits, and another young person cleaned out the hen houses and did a really good job.‟ A social worker said, „I can honestly say, I could not ask for any better role models; they persevere and they deal with any negative influences.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff do not restrain young people, and the occasional sanctions employed are restorative. Young people are confident that staff will do all that they can to help them find safe ways of managing their difficulties. This means that young people live in a relaxed and calm atmosphere that helps reduce their anxieties. Incidents of going missing from the home are a serious concern. However, comprehensive risk assessments signed up to by all agencies mean that there is a proactive approach, helping reduce the risks that some young people experience.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Social workers and other professionals have a high regard for the home. They view staff as genuinely committed to improving outcomes by helping young people overcome their difficulties. A social worker said, „The staff have gone above and beyond. They really care about [name]. They take part in monthly meetings when we agree a disruption plan. There is not another home that could support [name] like they do.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers use effective monitoring systems. Incidents of concern are carefully reviewed to identify any underlying patterns or themes. These arrangements mean that staff predict factors that can increase young people‟s vulnerabilities so they can plan in advance what support to provide.

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Information about this children's home

The home accommodates up to six children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/07/2016 Full Outstanding 15/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 11/06/2015 Full Good 04/03/2015 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. 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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