Children's home run by Footsteps Care Homes Limited

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

Four requirements and three recommendations resulted from the last inspection. The home has met three of the requirements successfully and has made progress on the fourth one.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Medication practice is now sound and records are appropriately signed. Medication training is good, and is geared towards the needs of individual young people. Errors are appropriately reported and further training then takes place. Routine medication protocols are adjusted for more complex regimes, which ensures satisfactory administration. Oversight of medication practice is thorough and there are routine monitoring systems firmly in place. This careful practice is essential, as the home cares for young people with complex medical needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s recruitment practice for new staff is sound and complies with regulatory requirements. All references are validated and suitable checks are made. Interviews are detailed; they are recorded and cover appropriate areas. In probation and induction periods, new staff receive appropriate additional support, and learn about the underpinning values of working in social care, including whistle-blowing when necessary. This helps guarantee that new staff are clear that their main responsibilities are to ensure the safety and well-being of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has notified Ofsted appropriately about any significant notifications. These notifications have been sent in a timely manner and have contained satisfactory detail.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The final requirement from the last inspection related to the home’s admission policy and whether a particular admission was in line with the conditions within which the home is allowed to operate. Although some progress has been made in this area, in spite of the home’s best efforts the detail still remains unclear. However, there is no doubt that the admission was not in line with the home’s statement of purpose. This shortfall risks confusing families and commissioners about which young people the home can effectively care for. Therefore, a further requirement has been made as a result of this inspection. The home has made good progress on all three recommendations and these have now been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have good knowledge and experience of safeguarding and they receive appropriate training. Safeguarding policies and procedures have been updated, have been seen by relevant external colleagues and contain appropriate legal references. Restraint records are clearly written and include good oversight by managers. The registered manager uses these records effectively to determine trends. This strong focus on safeguarding practice helps to promote young people’s welfare and keep them safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to have their highly individualised needs well met. Consequently, they make good progress in developing life skills. For example, some young people are now better able to manage their emotions and this has resulted in fewer restrictive interventions. Overall, behaviour management in the home is usually effective, and focuses on rewarding positive behaviour. As a result, sanctions are rarely used and there is minimum and appropriate use of restraints.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff in the home make good use of local resources and plan enjoyable activities for young people. For example, some young people attend activity classes in the community and others excitedly help to plan the home’s events for national fundraising events. This helps young people to keep physically and emotionally healthy, to have fun and to remain positively engaged with staff.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children who have learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/11/2016 Full Good 22/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/11/2015 Full Good 09/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) 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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Requirement Due date

Ensure that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14(2)(a)) 1 June 2017

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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 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

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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