Children's home run by Archways Care Limited in Wolverhampton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . The young people who live at this home make good progress. Young people who have recently moved in have settled well. They appreciate the care and support that they receive from staff. Young people have positive experiences and they live in a well-maintained and homely environment. They benefit from high-quality relationships with staff. Young people’s comments include, ‘The staff are great. They are here to care for us and protect us and not just for the money – they genuinely care.’ The recently registered manager is experienced. He has brought excellent motivation and support to the staff team. Staffing arrangements, staff support and a very effective care planning framework bring stability and security to this changing group of young people and improve the quality of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Compatibility assessments are key to the admissions process and how well young people get on with each other. Preparing more established young people for new admissions to the home is crucial in maintaining such a positive peer group. There are no concerns about bullying in the home. Consultation is another key strength. Young people feel listened to and feel that their views are valued. They have a full understanding of the home’s complaints process. Young people also experience high-quality key working sessions and regular group discussions about the running of the home. Both new young people came to the home at short notice and say that they received good support from the staff team. The manager and staff work in partnership with placing authorities and they include the young people in placement planning. This joint working and inclusion gives young people a strong sense of permanence and self-determination.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Child-centred practice and recording is a credit to the staff team. The high standard of recording means that young people can understand the support they receive. Staff evaluate all incidents, both in terms of their own practice and the feelings of the young people. This approach leads to meaningful and contemporary approaches to behaviour management and good-quality emotional support. Young people grow in maturity, emotional resilience and confidence, as they feel included in their placement planning and daily care. Clear, concise and consistently implemented risk management strategies promote high levels of staff supervision. Staff insight and early intervention keep the young people safe. Young people experience very positive relationships with staff and are more able to reflect and discuss their experiences. For example, one young person agrees with not having her phone at this current time because of the risk of talking

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to the wrong people. Staff are vigilant and have excellent insight into the triggers for young people to go missing and indicators of child exploitation. While some young people have never been in care before and would like to return to their own local communities, they acknowledge they are safer since arriving at the home. For example, they no longer take drugs, associate with older adults or become involved in criminal activity. Physical intervention is seldom used and only as a last resort to protect young people. Interventions are low key and young people respond well to being guided away from incidents. Young people and staff are protected by extremely good recording and monitoring by the registered manager. Young people enjoy good health outcomes. They receive excellent support to promote their emotional well-being. The foundation of focused key working, interagency support and high levels of nurture help young people to explore their

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

feelings and develop greater emotional resilience. They are pleased that they have reduced self-injurious behaviours and can talk to staff about the triggers that make them anxious and upset. The education coordinator, staff support and a strong education ethos focus all young people on learning. The education coordinator is effective in finding education placements quickly, with good partnership working with local schools, colleges and headteachers of virtual schools. Her insight makes a major contribution towards finding the most suitable placement for each individual young person. Some young people are doing very well at college and were keen to share their coursework on this inspection. One recently admitted young person now acknowledges the importance of education after long periods of sporadic attendance. With staff support, his attendance is increasing. He is focused on obtaining qualifications, including a plumbing apprenticeship.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff also support young people’s learning with independence skills programmes at the home. Young people are pleased with their efforts and the staff support that helps them prepare for independent living and young adulthood. The registered manager maintains effective monitoring systems, while independent visits ensure that the home continues to improve and is compliant with the Children’s Homes Regulations. Leadership is strong; the home operates efficiently and with young people placed firmly at the centre of staff practice. There are no shortfalls arising from this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned and operated by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2016 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 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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