Children's home run by Educare Adolescent Services Limited in Cannock Chase

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

Young people remain very settled and enjoy a comfortable, welcoming home which is well maintained. Highly committed and child-focused staff listen to young people and support them to make exceptional progress in all areas of their development. Young people’s positive experience is strongly supported by the stability of a consistent team of staff team who know them very well and with whom they have warm and trusting relationships. Young people have great fun with staff, sharing banter and laughter, enjoying DVD nights and playing on the Xbox. Enthusiastic staff enable one young person, who is a gifted table tennis player, to attend a club most days, supporting his physical, emotional and social development and his self- esteem. The social worker for one young person commented, ‘The home feels like a family home, and they have made a huge difference to him. He would not settle anywhere before.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, young people have made progress in their education beyond expectations. Dedicated staff, who are ambitious for young people, have advocated on their behalf to ensure that they receive the education that is right for them. The registered manager challenged one young person’s school to manage his behaviour more effectively instead of constantly excluding him. Staff have worked closely with the school to significantly reduce his exclusions. He has increased his attendance and is now achieving at school. The stability that this has provided him with is enabling him to focus on his education and future plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have supported another young person in his wish to move to a mainstream school. Despite an unwillingness on the part of his placing authority to consider a move, the determined staff were tenacious in pursuing this request for him, as they were certain that this would meet his needs. The placing authority is now exploring the possibility of him moving to a mainstream school. His social worker praised staff for the support that they have provided to him since he was placed, ‘Staff have gone over and above to keep him at his old school, they travelled a long way with him each day when the local authority was unable to pay for taxis for him. The staff have continued to advocate for him to go to mainstream school, and this is now being thoroughly explored.’ Staff keep young people safe, and there have been no incidents of going missing or self-harm, and no physical interventions. Young people said that they feel safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Committed and highly trained staff are knowledgeable and vigilant regarding child sexual exploitation, internet safety and the risk of extremism. They demonstrate in- depth knowledge of young people’s needs and vulnerabilities, acquired by building solid relationships with them and establishing excellent communication with professionals. Staff prepare detailed risk assessments, which are reviewed with the young people to involve them in resolving any safeguarding issues. Professionals and parents are confident that young people are very safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and deputy have ensured that the service to young people has become even more effective, despite a number of planned changes within the home. Building work is ongoing in order to increase the number of children admitted to the home to three. This work has been extremely well managed to ensure that there is minimum upheaval in the home. Staff and young people are now aware that the registered manager will shortly be leaving to take up another post. Despite their anxieties regarding the addition of a third young person and the loss of the registered manager, the home remains settled. This is due to the skill of the registered manager and deputy. They have ensured that stability, firm boundaries and a therapeutic approach to caring for young people are embedded in staff practice. Their strong and child-focused leadership has empowered the staff to work as a strong team and to provide the young people with the support to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff training and supervision are up to date, and the registered manager continues to be involved in meeting the needs of young people. Consultation with young people, staff, parents and professionals is ongoing, and the positive feedback evidences that the quality of the service remains excellent.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is registered for two children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. This home is currently offering long-term care for children and young people, aged 10 to 17 years, who have complex needs and display challenging behaviour.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/12/2016 Full Outstanding 09/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/05/2015 Full Outstanding 27/03/2015 Interim Sustained 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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