Children's home run by East Midlands Care Matters Limited in Amber Valley

Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 1 SC381522 Registered provider: East Midlands Care Matters Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care and accommodation to young people aged up to 19. Young people may have a range of emotional and behavioural needs. They may also have a learning disability or a diagnosis of autism.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 19 September 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/09/2017 Full Good 23/11/2016 Full Good 15/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/10/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

Ensure that an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification by the relevant date. (Regulation 32 (4)) 05/11/2018

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people lead a happy life in this home. The atmosphere is cheerful, loving and homely. Even when young people have previously struggled in other residential care settings, they settle quickly and soon start to make good progress. Young people know that staff really do care about them. Staff make this obvious to young people on a daily basis. Consequently, relationships between young people and staff are excellent. Staff consider sensitivities around family relationships very well. Often, young people’s relationships with their families are improved because of direct work in this area. The group of young people has recently changed. However, this has not disrupted the home because the placement matching process is so well thought out. There is a positive atmosphere of respect and consideration for others. Young people have a very strong voice. They have a say in what is happening in their own lives. This helps them to work towards being more independent. They learn that

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All young people, parents and staff agree that young people are safe and well protected. Staff supervise young people very well. This means that when risks arise, staff take prompt and effective action to prevent harm. Young people have made good progress towards improved behaviour. Where some young people struggle to control their behaviour due to high anxiety, managers and staff are understanding and empathetic. Staff are solution-focused, finding creative ways to help young people behave safely. Care plans and risk assessments are regularly altered Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 4 according to young people’s changing needs. When staff restrain a young person, this is always to reduce the risk of harm. Clear recording of restraint practice allows managers to closely scrutinise each incident. Health and safety procedures have been improved since the last inspection. There is a new cleaning regime which ensures that all areas are free from hazards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager runs the home very well. She is well supported by a deputy manager. Between them, they always ensure a strong leadership presence. Managers are directly involved in young people’s care. This means that managers are completely aware of young people’s progress and difficulties. Managers act quickly if there is a problem. This small provider has the capacity to be flexible in response to young people’s changing needs. The creative management approach ensures that the young people are always at the centre of the work and that young people make as much progress as possible. The staff team is well established. The staff team members have a thoughtful, intelligent approach to all aspects of care. It is clear that the young people thoroughly enjoy being with the staff. Staff training is organised well. Since the last inspection, training on how to protect young people from radicalisation has been introduced. This provides staff with the skills

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

and knowledge that they need to protect young people. Staff feel well supported. Their performance is continually assessed by management. Managers are able to be confident about the quality of care because they work alongside staff. Four out of the five requirements made at the last inspection have been met. As a result, there have been improvements in health and safety, staff training, record-keeping and the way that young people’s privacy is protected. One requirement made at the last inspection is not yet met, although there has been some progress. The registered manager is still working towards making sure that all staff have the required qualification. Progress was halted due to circumstances beyond the control of managers. However, these problems have now been resolved.

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 5 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

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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: East Midlands Care Matters Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 58 Brackendale Road, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 1DX

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Inspector(s)

Caroline Brailsford: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 7 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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