Children's home run by Warrington Borough Council

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

Young people continue to make sustained progress in all aspects of their development. Staff’s nurturing and caring approach is ensuring that each young person remains happy, settled and safe in their home. Without a doubt, young people’s welfare, wishes and feelings are at the centre of staff practice. Staff understand young people’s strengths and vulnerabilities remarkably well and respond compassionately to their needs and feelings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both young people continue to do well in their education. This is demonstrated in the awards that they receive from school and college commending them on their excellent attendance. Staff have high aspirations for those in their care, and work collaboratively with schools and colleges to maximise young people’s learning and attainment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health is promoted exceptionally well by the team. Staff work closely with health professionals to ensure that they understand young people’s specific health conditions. Regular communication and consultations with a range of health professionals, such as the diabetic nurse, ensures that staff are appropriately equipped to meet young people’s complex health needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are being well prepared for adulthood. They are becoming more independent, appropriate to their age, abilities and level of understanding. Staff support young people to practice essential life skills, such as taking their medication, shopping, cooking and developing a better understanding of their finances. Young people’s plans for independence are tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. Staff are strong advocates for young people and do all that they can to secure additional services to support them in adult life, for example by linking them in with befriending services.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working with parents and social workers is highly effective. Staff work remarkably well with parents and have empowered them to resume some caring responsibilities safely. Staff fully appreciate the benefits of safe family contact. Because of staff’s diligent support, some young people’s contact has significantly increased, and family relationships have greatly improved. This significant progress demonstrates staff’s unwavering commitment to improving young people’s family life and experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to be protected by a vigilant, knowledgeable and competent team. Staff fully understand their own safeguarding responsibilities, and those of others. When safeguarding issues arise, staff take immediate action and escalate their concerns to all relevant professionals. They have forged strong links with specialist safeguarding teams, including the multi-agency child sexual exploitation team. Communication with safeguarding professionals is consistently good. Social workers confirmed that staff keep them updated on all safeguarding concerns. Staff are confident to challenge safeguarding decisions, are excellent advocates for young people, and constantly uphold their safeguarding duties. However, on occasion, staff did not notify Ofsted of serious safeguarding concerns. Although this had no effect on young people’s welfare and safety, it hindered external scrutiny of the home’s safeguarding practice, and that of others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has resigned and has been absent from post since January 2017. The deputy manager has stepped up and has been managing the team and service effectively. The team feel thoroughly supported by the deputy manager and have total confidence in her ability to lead the service ‘smoothly’. There have not been any recent staff changes, therefore the team is stable, suitably qualified, and knows each young person extremely well. This stable team is ensuring that young people receive consistent care and support. A key strength of the team is its ability to develop trusting relationships with young people. These meaningful relationships are helping young people to confide in their staff, which enhances their safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The majority of the shortfalls raised at the last inspection have been successfully addressed. Staff rotas have been revised and now reflect clearly the actual rotas worked. The statement of purpose has been updated and a copy has now been sent to Ofsted. Monitoring reports have improved and now provide a more detailed account of young people’s experiences and progress, and include plans for the home’s continued development. Two requirements have not been sufficiently addressed and have therefore been repeated. These are in relation to arrangements for out-of-hours management cover, and notifying Ofsted of all serious safeguarding concerns.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority children’s home provides care and accommodation for two young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/12/2016 Full Good 10/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/09/2015 Full Outstanding 25/03/2015 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) meets 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

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must –

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Requirement Due date

(d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

In particular, having sufficient out-of-hours management arrangements in place. 26/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; or there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(e)) 26/05/2017

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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 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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