Children's home run by Cornerways Children’s Services Limited

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are really positive about living here. They consider staff go the extra mile to ensure they are there for them, especially when things are difficult. One young person gave the home 10 out of 10 for how they care for and support her. Staff know the young people very well and advocate effectively for them with other professionals, if necessary. A note in the staff office from one young person said, „Staff are caring with big hearts‟.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Progression is promoted well and there are clear examples of how young people‟s health, education, emotional well-being and safety have been enhanced because of the support they receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Stability of the group of young people who live here is achieved well and is appreciated by the young people themselves. When there are any concerns, thoughtful planning addresses the issues and supports young people‟s permanence. For example, if a young person‟s behaviours escalate, such as going missing more frequently, additional support is offered. This can include time with staff away from the home. This acts as a diversion, and allows for intensive support to be available to help gain an understanding of the underlying cause of the behavioural problems.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people‟s health is promoted well, and emphasis is placed on helping young people to learn about nutrition and food safety. In the near future, young people and staff are to receive food safety training together. There are more cookery books available, which include those for specialised diets. When a new health need is identified, or health support is no longer effective, the staff quickly liaise with professionals to manage this need effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The homely, safe environment created within the premises is not extended to the rear garden. This is unkempt and poorly maintained. The garden poses some health and safety risks. The back of the garden leads onto a motorway and the fence has been broken by a fallen tree. At the end of the property there is a steep bank which is poorly maintained and is not well lit. There are trip hazards from fallen boulders, and a low-level disused pond which has not been filled in. Safeguarding is well understood and implemented effectively. Young people‟s behaviours have been more challenging of late with some young people increasing the number of times they go missing. Managers and staff have responded well to these concerns. Plans to reduce these episodes are clear, with additional measures in place when absences are more frequent. Staff develop appropriate networks, such as young people‟s friends and family, to assist them in finding a young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

person. They share appropriate information with the police as soon as they receive it.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments are clear and updated regularly. The documents contain a good picture of the risks for each young person and provide appropriate guidance to staff on how these should be minimised. Risk assessments link effectively to other documentation, such as records of the one-to-one meetings held between a key worker and a young person, and the monthly reports sent to social workers. This enables a good understanding of how young people are safeguarded and how their well-being is promoted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strong leadership and management means that staff feel informed, involved and supported in their roles. The manager leads by example, providing clear guidance and support to her staff team, which they appreciate and value.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The monitoring and review systems are embedded within practice. The home has a detailed development plan; monthly visits and reports by an independent person are used to monitor and develop the service, and six-monthly reviews of care are completed appropriately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Sufficient numbers of staff are on duty to look after young people. There have been pressures on staffing because of the increased needs of young people lately, but the two staff vacancies have been filled and new staff will commence work soon.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The four recommendations of the last report and one of the two requirements are met. One requirement is repeated because the statement of purpose does not contain a statement about how positive images of both genders will be promoted, when the home has a mainly female staff team.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is one of two children‟s homes owned and run by a private company which also operates a fostering agency and a school. It has accommodation for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The service also provides support from therapists to individual young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/12/2016 Full Good 21/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 30/09/2015 Full Good 05/02/2015 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

16: The registered person must compile in relation to the children‟s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. In particular, the provider must ensure the statement includes detail of how the organisation ensures that this includes a description of how the home promotes appropriate role models of both sexes. 30/06/17

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Requirement Due date

12. The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure- (c) 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. In particular, that the safety of the back garden is reviewed and action taken to improve the safety of this area of the home. 30/06/17

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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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