Children's Home run by ROC Northwest Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC066428 Inspection date 29/11/2010 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 21/06/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 Crispins, 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.

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About this inspection

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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

The home provides full time residential care for up to five young people with emotional or behavioural, physical or learning disabilities.

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Brief description of the service

It is set in its own grounds and is domestic in appearance. An outstanding standard of accommodation is provided, which includes suitable adaptation to cater for young people with physical disabilities. This allows for wheelchair access to the grounds and the ground floor of the house.

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Brief description of the service

Within the last year, an annex to the main building has been completed, which is used to promote young people towards a more independent lifestyle.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This short, unannounced interim inspection was used to follow up the recommendations made at the previous full inspection. In addition, the key standards linked to staying safe have also been reviewed. No change has been made to the overall quality rating attained at the previous inspection, which remains as good.

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Summary

Since the previous inspection, the staff team has been relatively unchanged. The management, ethos, structure and working practices of the home remain as they were. It continues to provide a good standard of care and a safe environment for young people.

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Summary

Young people's physical, social and educational needs are recognised, with recently revised plans and strategies in place to meet them. The home is settled and there are no major disruptions or behaviour management issues.

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Summary

No issues, concerns or complaints were raised by either young people or staff. No new areas of concern have been raised as a result of this inspection and no new actions or recommendations have been made.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The report from the previous inspection contains no actions. Two recommendations were made and both have been fully addressed. This has led to an improvement to the level of recording contained in the confiscated items log. A new, specialist bed that meets the specific physical needs of one young person has been purchased. This enhances the adaptations and equipment already in place, within that particular bedroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The safety and rights of both young people and staff are protected. The organisation, working practices and strategies designed to keep young people safe, remain intact. The records detailing complaints, missing from home, formal notifications, sanctions, and physical interventions are thoroughly completed and up to date. They reflect the current stability of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people understand how to access the complaints system, with information available in young people's guides and on display around the home. The information is available in a range of formats designed to meet the needs of all young people living at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Whilst there have been no safeguarding issues affecting the home since the previous inspection, staff are aware of their responsibilities and what actions they should take, should such a situation arise. This would be with immediate referral to the external agencies charged with specific safeguarding duties.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is currently not a live issue and young people have no concerns on this matter. Generous staffing levels help to alleviate opportunities for bullying to occur. Appropriate policies and procedures are in place and any incident of a bullying nature is recorded appropriately in the home's bullying log.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although small in number, any sanctions and physical interventions imposed since the previous inspection have met with regulatory requirement. The home is calm and relaxed. Currently, there are no issues or problems in the home linked to behaviour management. Young people live in a safe environment, with their individual needs being addressed positively.

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