Children's home SC064569

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

Young people generally benefit from good outcomes. However, some practices in the home are unsatisfactory. The lack of compliance with regulations impacts on the overall quality of care. The home has been over 26 weeks without a registered manager. Although an experienced individual is in post, Ofsted have not been able to progress their application. The required registration documentation has not been submitted. An incomplete registration application was received therefore it was returned to the sender.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and leaders have failed to inform Ofsted that the home is closing at the end of March 2017. This information only came to the attention of the inspector during this inspection. Regulations require that Ofsted is given three months notice of a setting’s intended closure. A young person stated they were ‘so stressed’ by having to move. They stated this decision was ‘not good.’ They feared that their social worker would be ‘rushing to find somewhere,’ which may not meet their needs. The young person gave an example of needing to be near their college and needing a quiet stable environment to study. Such short notice means that young people would not benefit from smoothly planned transitions to alternate accommodation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Record keeping fails to meet legal requirements. Staff have not accurately maintained all required records. The register of children does not detail all the admissions and discharges of children placed at the home. In addition one child’s case file did not have the date of a parent’s evening meeting and who attended. This omission is unhelpful as it does not assist in documenting the young person’s journey or progress in care. It also fails to accurately reflect a staff member’s positive intervention. Managers failed to inform Ofsted of a serious incident; this involved a young person taking an overdose and their subsequent hospital admission.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have addressed the majority of the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. They endeavour to deliver a more effective service which promotes best practice. For instance the health needs of young people is better promoted; they are appropriately registered with a general medical practitioner and a dentist. Staff vocational training is in progress. Improvements have been made in the staff recruitment, supervision and appraisals system. The location risk assessment provides a satisfactory overview of identified concerns. One outstanding issue relates to the sanction record. This document still fails to detail the effectiveness of sanctions and whether debriefings have been undertaken with young people and staff. Therefore, this requirement is repeated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of care monitoring is insufficient. Leaders and managers benefit from independent monthly monitoring reports which appropriately addresses young people’s welfare. These reports appropriately focus on ensuring young people receive positive outcomes. However, no internal evaluation of the service has been undertaken; as required in accordance with Regulation 45. Leaders and managers have not produced a report that should detail their own insight, monitoring and review of the care. As a result young people, their parents, placing authorities and staff have not had the opportunity to contribute to this evaluation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people generally benefit from good outcomes. The structured welcoming admission process enables them to settle quickly into the home. Young people demonstrate improvements in their resilience, maturity, self-management of their medication and independent living skills. Key work sessions enable young people to focus on their goals and aspirations. They also provide a safe place for them to discuss their feelings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide a stable, nurturing environment and consistently encourage young people to maximise their potential. All young people are in education or are waiting to start an apprenticeship. Young people are succeeding academically. An example of this is the receipt of an achievement certificate. Young people have the opportunity to gain certificates through participating in staff training; an example of this is a first aid course. The caring attitude of staff extends to the young people’s friends and partners. For instance staff helped signpost a girlfriend of a young person to relevant housing services.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff maintain good relationships with young people and strongly advocate for their needs. Staff actively plan and discuss potential threats to young people’s wellbeing. An example of this is producing an emotional risk assessment to safeguard against a possible suicide concern. Staff also demonstrate a good understanding of mental health and transgender issues. Staff actively support young people during their hospital admissions. They regularly visit and participate in discharge planning, which focuses on the best interests of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership arrangements with placing authorities, contributes towards young people’s positive outcomes. An example of this is a young person’s reunification with their family. Staff also assist young people with practical tasks such as applying for a passport and driving licence. Partnership working also exceeds to the area community protection team, the safer neighbourhood team and a regional social care networking forum.

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Information about this children's home

The Crescent is a privately owned home, registered to provide care for up to five young people. The home specialises in providing support and guidance to young people over the age of 16 who are preparing for leaving care and living independently. The home is able to support young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 29/06/2016 Full Good 11/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/09/2015 Full Good 20/03/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a sanction, a record is made which includes the effectiveness and all required information. Discussions must also be held with staff who issued the sanction within 48 hours and the child within five days. (Regulation 35 (3)) 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must give notice in writing to Ofsted if they expect to cease carrying on the home. (Regulation 49 (b)) 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a register of children. (Regulation 37 (2)) 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must without delay notify Ofsted if there is a serious incident relating to a child. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records for each child which are signed and dated by the author. (Regulation 36 (c)) 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care at least once every 6 months. (Regulation 45 (1)) 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must register a manager. Any person who carries on or manages an establishment or agency of any 01/05/2017 description without being registered under this Part in respect of it (as an establishment or, as the case may be, agency of that description) shall be guilty of an offence. (Regulation 11 (1) Care Standard Act 2000)

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 The registered person should help each child to prepare for leaving both practically and emotionally. (Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards, page 57, paragraph 11.9)

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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

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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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