Children's home run by Back on Track Children’s Services SE LTD in Dover

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’s safety, well-being and progress in this home are advanced by a highly attentive, committed and stable staff team. The leadership is strong and focused on improving standards of care and outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The four recommendations set at the last inspection have been met. These focused on reviewing and refining the home’s statement of purpose, making fuller use of the regulation 45 review process, improving the children’s guide and further development of staff supervision. Staff handover procedures have also been made more effective, and a new reflective staff appraisal structure has been introduced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who have complex emotional needs and high risk-taking behaviour are supported with skill and patience. They make significant progress in understanding and building trusting relationships with adults. Staff are successful with this because they are committed, follow procedures and have established strong partnership working with placing authorities, the police and education provisions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding practice in this home is generally of a high standard, but competency in supporting young people’s safe and responsible use of the internet and social media requires updating and further development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has moved on to more independent living since the last inspection. This followed strong and persistent advocacy by the home on his behalf. A letter left by this young person poignantly reflects the deep sense of belonging and attachment that he developed with the staff during his stay.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders show an openness to learning and a desire to improve the quality of care for the young people. Following consultation with the young people, changes have been introduced to increase the homely atmosphere and create a clearer social hub in the home. This process is ongoing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most staff in this home have long tenure and this reflects the strong, shared sense of purpose they have in providing safe and nurturing care to vulnerable young people as they move through the challenges of adolescence. When a new staff member was asked to reflect on his initial impressions of the home, he said that he found the staff very supportive and approachable and was struck by ‘the positive attitude that they have towards the young people’.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/09/2016 Full Good 25/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/05/2015 Full Good 23/10/2014 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 The registered manager must ensure that staff are fully equipped to support and manage young people’s risk-taking behaviour, appropriate to their stage of development, and in particular the use of social media and the internet. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7)  The registered manager must continue to seek ways in which the home environment can be made more nurturing, welcoming and supportive. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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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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