Children's home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 1 SC031763 Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home is registered for three children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make excellent progress in all areas of their lives. They have formed very positive and close attachments to the manager and staff team. Staff genuinely care about them and want the very best for them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to place a strong and commendable emphasis on ensuring that young people have education or training in place. He works closely with education and training providers locally to source appropriate provision. One young person struggled with their further education placement recently. The manager and staff have imaginatively considered how the young person’s needs can better be met. They have fully involved the young person in considering alternative options. This has increased the young person’s sense of being valued, and has improved their self-confidence. Another young person is being very well supported with their imminent school exams. They are considering further education options with staff. Young people have goals and aspirations. Staff support them with these practically and emotionally at all times. Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 2 Staff support young people to keep in touch with family members, friends and those who

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

are important to them. They transport young people to visit family members locally and further away. Staff understand the importance of this, and work very well with family members to promote positive family relationships. They also work very well with placing social workers and other agencies.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has moved out since the last inspection. Staff worked tirelessly to support the placement. Ultimately, the placement could no longer meet the young person’s needs. This young person had a very well-planned transition to this home. This included visits to meet staff and other young people before moving in. It also included staff visiting the young person in their previous placement. The move on was very well handled by the manager and staff. A member of staff transported the young person to their new placement. They were fully involved in the process of moving. This reflects a staff team that is committed to ensuring that young people feel fully involved in the care and support they receive.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people feel confident about raising with the staff any concerns or issues that they may have. The manager responds promptly to any formal complaints that are raised. There has only been one formal complaint since the last inspection. The manager met with the young person quickly to discuss their concerns. They worked together to resolve the issues. The young person was happy with the outcome. This reflects how much staff and the manager respect young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff feel very well supported by the manager. They work as a team to support young people, as well as each other. They feel valued and able to influence how the home is run. The manager values his staff and understands the pressures they can face. At times of need, he has worked shifts in the home, including overnight shifts. This reflects his commitment not only to the staff, but to the young people. It is abundantly evident that young people see the manager as a trusted and valued adult.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of physical restraint is minimal. When used, it is undertaken by suitably trained and experienced members of staff. Young people have debrief sessions following the use of restraint. This enables them to consider and discuss any risky or potentially dangerous behaviours. Key-work sessions further support young people to consider and develop alternative and more appropriate coping mechanisms and strategies.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Missing-from-care incidents are minimal. When a young person has gone missing, staff diligently follow protocols and work closely with safeguarding agencies and family members. The manager ensures that independent return home interviews are requested, and take place. Information gathered during independent interviews informs risk assessments and plans, which are reviewed and updated promptly.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

No shortfalls were identified as a result of the last inspection and none were identified at this inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/08/2017 Full Outstanding 12/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/08/2016 Full Requires improvement 17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

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Inspector

Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 4 Tracy Murty, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 5 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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