Children's Home run by Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire

SC028905 Unique reference number 6 August 2009 Inspection date Jacqui Gosling Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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17 February 2009 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 5 Inspection Report: SC028905

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Brief description of the service

The home is part of a residential provision for Looked After Children. The home provides emergency short term residential accommodation for a maximum of five young people of either gender, who are aged between 12 and 17 years on admission. The purpose of the home is to provide a safe and secure environment that promotes the welfare of the young people accommodated. An assessment is carried out to identify how best to meet a young person's needs and plan for their future.

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Brief description of the service

Placements are for a maximum of 12 weeks duration, other than in exceptional circumstances, during which plans are made for a return home or another placement will be made and initiated. No young people are currently living at the home.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated in a residential area and is a large Victorian building comprising of five bedrooms for young people, an independence flat and a range of living, recreational and office space.

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Summary

The home has been inoperative for a month. The registered provider has indicted that the service will not be operational again until January 2010. Ofsted will make a decision about when to inspect the service and this will be at a maximum of three months after any accommodation of children and young people or services start. A minimal number of National Minimum Standards and regulations have been inspected. These relate to the premises provided and the registered provider only. Should be service decide to become operational they are required to inform Ofsted of their intention before they commence accommodating children and young people. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations were made following the last inspection which took place in February 2009. However, the home is now closed to allow extensive renovation work to be completed. No young people are currently living the home and no staff are based there. Therefore, Ofsted cannot assess at the current time, whether appropriate action has been taken in respect of the recommendations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is not judged. 4 of 5 Inspection Report: SC028905

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. The home is a large Victorian house set in private grounds. The home's location is in a quiet residential area approximately five minutes walk from the town centre, which allows easy access to a variety of local leisure facilities, transport and a main shopping area.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Currently, the home is unoccupied and unfurnished and extensive renovation work is taking place to up grade the facility.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the recruitment process is followed, specifically Criminal Records Bureau checks of staff are available for external inspection (NMS 27.1) • ensure that children who abscond are seen by their social worker or an independent person to consider the reasons for the absence.(NMS 19.4). 5 of 5 Inspection Report: SC028905

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