Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

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 . Two requirements and one recommendation were made at the last inspection. At the time of this inspection, one requirement and one recommendation are met. The requirement which is not fully met relates to the design, furnishing and maintenance of the home. The age, size and design of the building mean that considerable work is required to ensure that it is homely and comfortable for young people. One young person told the inspector, ‘It is an old brick building that does not feel like a home or like other people’s homes. It could be nicer as it does not feel a nice place really. It stands out.’ While the home is clean and well looked after, it presents as institutional and neglected. The registered manager has made effective challenge to senior managers, and plans have been formalised to address

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

these shortfalls. Young people make good progress from their starting points. Young people often arrive at the home at crisis point and in a state of being very upset. Staff work hard to reassure young people and provide warmth and care. Staff keep consistent routines and boundaries in place. Consequently, young people feel welcome and their anxiety is reduced. This promotes their well-being and enables them to build relationships with staff. Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints and no safeguarding issues or concerns. Records relating to child protection are well recorded with clear outcomes, to ensure that young people’s needs are closely monitored. Individual sessions with young people take place frequently, are creative and help young people to talk about their worries. This means that young people do not experience emotional distress and they receive positive support from staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people go missing from home, and there have been ten incidents since the last full inspection. These incidents are well managed by the registered manager through strategic joint working with police professionals. Young people are discouraged from going missing. Staff look for them when they do go missing and know of the areas that they frequent. This means that young people are quickly located, which reduces the level of harm that they could be exposed to. Some young people display exceptionally challenging and violent behaviours, which mean that they are a risk to themselves and others. Despite this, very few incidents require physical restraint or involve damage to the home. This is because of the trusting relationships between staff and young people and the distraction techniques that staff use to minimise such behaviours. This means that young people receive a good quality of care that positively promotes their emotional and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

physical well-being. Young people are encouraged to maintain school attendance and are rewarded for their positive achievements. This means that they do not become restless or agitated and they make good progress with their behaviour. Staff have good relationships with parents. As a result, young people are reassured through maintaining relationships with their families. As a result, they are more receptive to the care offered by staff. Young people like the staff members and do not have any worries or complaints. Young people like to eat together with staff and enjoy age- appropriate activities in and outside of the home environment.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority immediate-response children’s home. As well as planned placements, the service accepts emergency placements and out-of-hours requests. It provides care and accommodation for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home’s statement of purpose indicates that the age range of young people living at the home will be between 10 and 18 years of age.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/10/2016 Full Good 09/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/05/2015 Full Good 16/03/2015 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) 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

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to some of the home’s decor, furnishings, fixtures and fittings, the registered person must ensure: (2)(d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 30/10/2017

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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 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 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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