Children's home run by The Partnership of The Chartwell Group

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the recommendation made at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is effective communication with medical professionals. The staff team and external professionals work together effectively to help to make positive changes to the children’s health needs. This benefits the children and ensures that there are good outcomes. The staff manage health requirements in a sensitive manner, with consideration of the children’s individual needs, particularly in regard to the use of additional equipment in the home. All of the children are engaging with education and making progress towards their individual targets. One child attends mainstream school and is doing well. The other children attend the on-site school and they enjoy their time in education. The staff give consideration to the children’s differing levels of ability, in both the school and home environment. A social worker said, ‘The teacher is really committed and really enthusiastic; she is going the extra mile. It is really going well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff support the children to develop their independence skills. They learn to budget and complete laundry tasks. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their personal care and to make their own choices. The staff work directly with the children and get to know them. There are positive interactions between the staff and the children. These relationships are secure and established, which enables the children to feel safe and valued. A social worker said, ‘He [child] has a lovely relationship with the people there. He makes himself very comfortable and there are no concerns. The care is good. I have worked with him prior to his move here and he is the happiest he has ever been.’ A new child has moved into the home following a well-planned transition. The social worker speaks positively about how well the transition process was planned. They described the staff and managers as ‘committed, helpful and enthusiastic’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child has settled in well so far. He has a good relationship with the staff and he is getting to know his peers. He is happy, and says, ‘It is like a family. The staff are so lovely and they are kind to me.’ The staff are adaptable and are able to meet the individual needs of the children. The staff team engages well with families and promotes and supports contact. Parents speak positively about the good level of care provided to their children. Communication with families is good. One parent described their child’s move as ‘the best move he has ever made’. Parents feel that their children are happy and are well cared for. Children maintain good links with their families. The staff communicate with children openly and effectively. They have aspirations for the children; they want them to learn and to participate in new experiences. The staff work with the children to help them achieve this. There are regular

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

children’s meetings during which the staff encourage the children to talk about any current issues in the house and to make suggestions for activities. The children know how to complain and feel that they are able to talk to the staff. Children feel valued and know that their views are listened to. Staff are trained in physical intervention, which they use as a last resort to keep the children safe. The records of physical intervention are clear and give a good picture of the antecedent behaviour and the intervention used. The staff seek the children’s views following each incident and the manager reviews the incidents, which provides good oversight. The children feel safe and they know that staff are nearby to assist and support if situations escalate. Individual behaviour management plans include the details of rewards for positive behaviour. The children respond well to the rewards and they take responsibility

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

for improving their behaviour. Allegations are managed appropriately and the manager seeks advice from the designated officer when needed. This ensures that children are safeguarded. Clear risk assessments include all aspects of the children’s behaviours. The child’s voice is evident in each of the children’s records. The children are fully involved in their care planning. Their views are recorded and considered. There is consideration of the group dynamics prior to a new admission. However, this is not made clear in a written impact assessment prior to placement. The internal and external monitoring is effective and considers the views of parents, children and professionals. These views contribute to the comprehensive review and assessment of the home and the care provided.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides accommodation and education in a small group setting for a maximum of six boys who have emotional and/or behavioural and/or learning difficulties. The home specialises in offering long-term placements. The premises are registered with the Department for Education as a school.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/10/2016 Full Good 09/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/09/2015 Full Good 10/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Put in place an assessment process for the child in advance of the placement. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 18, paragraph 3.30) This is with particular regard to the completion of group-dynamic impact risk assessments prior to a new admission to the home.

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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 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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