Children's home SC394224

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

There have been no admissions or discharges from the home since the last inspection. The three young people who live in the home are very settled and are making good and improving progress. They report that it is a good place for children in care to live. Young people enjoy positive relationships with staff and each other, and enjoy the many opportunities and positive experiences that the home provides. For example, one young person enjoys horse riding lessons and cycling. Another young person is very excited to be going on a trip abroad to celebrate her birthday. Young people spoke about being free to make their own choices and do the things they enjoy. They gave examples of spending time with friends, cycling and having their own personal space in their bedroom, which is decorated and furnished to their taste.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have established placements in school, college or training, and are making good progress. They attend regularly, do homework and engage well with their tutors. One young person’s attainment and predicted grades have improved because he is now accessing extra tuition. Staff support young people well, providing transport as necessary and maintaining close links with education and training providers so that any concerns are dealt with immediately. This helps to ensure that young people benefit from their education and training, which they all embrace. Their life chances have significantly improved since their admission to the home and their likelihood of finding gainful employment in adulthood has increased. A headteacher commented: ’Staff are in regular contact with school and work collaboratively. They are supporting, and challenge him when needed, and he has flourished since being placed there.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The number of incidents of young people going missing has reduced since the full inspection. There have been four missing incidents, involving two young people. On each occasion, the young people have returned of their own accord and have been welcomed back to the home. They have had independent return interviews as well as conversations with staff about why they went missing. From these, it is clear that there were no concerns about the quality of care that led to them going missing. No young people are currently deemed to be at risk from child sexual exploitation or grooming. Where there are concerns about a young person’s safety or behaviour, the home works well with other agencies to ensure that young people get the support they need from expert professionals. When young people are reluctant to engage with other professionals, staff address matters of concern with young people under their guidance. They ensure that young people understand

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

how to stay safe online and in the community, and give good advice about safe sexual and social relationships. Additionally, staff supervise young people closely and risk assess unsupervised time in the community. This helps to keep young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy good relationships with the stable and committed staff team. They feel well cared for and safe. One explained: ‘Yesterday, I thought someone was following me on my way home and I texted them, and they rang me straight away and stayed on the phone with me until I was in a bigger area where there were more people around, and that made me feel much safer.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although some young people continue to be at risk from drug misuse, staff are ever vigilant in their observations and supervision. This has led to a reduction in the frequency and extent of this behaviour. Consequently, young people’s health and welfare is better protected. Young people’s mental health is well promoted, and they benefit from regular appointments with therapists and counsellors. Young people are supported and encouraged to have a healthy diet and to access any treatment they need. This helps them to stay healthy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are learning independence skills in accordance with their age and stage of development. Those who are preparing to leave care take increasing levels of personal responsibility, and some are now very capable of looking after themselves in a practical way. For example, young people have learned budgeting skills, can travel independently, and can cook, clean and launder. Two young people are preparing to move on to semi-independent living in the near future, and the home is working in partnership with relevant professionals and other agencies to ensure that young people have a smooth transition to a suitable placement. The home has recently set up an individual savings accounts (ISA) for each young person, and is encouraging them all to save for high cost items and leaving care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team knows the young people well, and the registered manager ensures that each young person’s needs are well met and that the home provides high quality care. The good monitoring systems enable continuous review of young people’s experiences and progress, and drive continuous improvements in the quality of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are confident that they can approach staff with any problems, and that staff will listen to them and help them. Young people’s views are taken seriously and they have a say in their day-to-day care. For example, young people’s views are canvassed in regular young people’s meetings, and inform the development of the home, including changes in décor and documents. One young person’s views have clearly been taken into account in the redevelopment of a form used to help young people share their wishes and feelings. Through listening to young people in this way, the home helps them to develop confidence and self- esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people report that they have no concerns about the home, and there have been no complaints made since the last inspection. The number of incidents of challenging behaviour is low, reflecting how well settled the young people feel. There have been no restraints and few sanctions. Young people report that rules and sanctions are fair, and that they understand them clearly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two requirements made following the last inspection have been addressed. Risk assessments and risk management plans relating to young people who are found to be under the influence of substances have been improved and clearly guide staff in how to respond in such instances. There is good evidence of them being followed. This protects young people from the risk of significant harm from substance misuse.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has written to all stakeholders to canvass their views about the home, and is currently gathering in the responses. She is chasing further responses with a view to using the comments received to inform the future development of the home. To date, all responses from families and professionals have been extremely positive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ofsted has received an application from the local authority to cancel this home’s registration, and plans are in place for the running of the home to be transferred to a new provider. Applications from the new provider and the current manager have been received and are being processed. The plans are for the manager and staff team to continue to work at the home, and for the young people to remain in placement. The transition arrangements are led by young people’s needs and are appropriately focused on causing the least disruption to young people.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by the local authority. It is registered to care for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or young people who have a learning disability.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/11/2016 Full Good 14/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 01/12/2015 Full Good 17/03/2015 Interim Declined in 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 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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