Children's home run by Searchlight Care Services Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report children’s home: SC411074 1 SC411074 Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private company. The home currently provides care to one young person.

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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 good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The same young person lives at the home as at the time of the last inspection. He understands how decisions are made and the degree to which he can have an input into these. For example, the young person is provided with a young-person-friendly version of his care plan and monthly progress reports, which he can talk through with staff. This is good practice.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to work in partnership with other professionals, including placing authorities, education providers and the police, to meet the young person’s needs. She advocates well for the young person to ensure that he is able to access appropriate services. A health professional said, ‘The staff at the home have made a huge impact on the young person’s care, not to underestimate the therapeutic work that the staff have provided.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC411074 2 Complaints are rare, and when they are raised, the registered manager responds to them quickly. This helps the young person to feel listened to and valued. Meaningful key-work sessions enable the young person to learn about internet safety and what makes a healthy relationship.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use restraint only as a last resort, and incident records are completed in line with regulations. This enables the registered manager to have effective oversight. The registered manager and staff team have worked hard to implement new ways of helping the young person to manage his behaviour more appropriately. Staff are responsive to his needs and are able to recognise signs that he is struggling. They take steps to try to de-escalate situations. Furthermore, a focus on using rewards and praise to promote positive behaviour is beginning to have an impact, and incidents requiring restraint have recently started to reduce.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team responds appropriately to safeguarding concerns. Records show what actions have been taken and who has been informed. Serious incidents and updates are reported appropriately to Ofsted.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child-focused staff team has been proactive in ensuring that the young person accesses support services. The registered manager follows up on any issues to avoid any potential delay. This has led to an increase in education provision for the young person within the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person has caused some damage to the home in recent months. The responsible individual and registered manager are aware of how this can affect the overall environment and feel of the home. Plans are well underway to redecorate the home and the young person has had input into these.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continually looks at new ways of working to improve the quality of care for the young person. This has included securing the input of clinical supervision for the staff team, which allows the staff to be more therapeutic in their approach. For example, the staff receive advice on different strategies and new ways of working. As a result, they are better equipped to understand the young person’s emotional needs and the young person is continuing to build better relationships with staff.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no shortfalls identified at this inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/07/2017 Full Good 03/02/2017 Interim Not judged 27/07/2016 Full Requires improvement 30/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC411074 3

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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: Searchlight Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Marcus House Estates, Marcus House, Stoke On Trent ST3 5XA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Denver Underwood

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Inspector

Sarah Junor-Fitzpatrick, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC411074 4 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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