Children's Home run by Cornerstone Children’s Homes Limited in Stockport

Unique reference number SC394478 Inspection date 22/02/2011 Inspector Simon Morley Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 16/11/2010 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 is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people, between the ages of 11 and 17 years. Young people stay on a short- to long- term basis depending on the plans of the placing authority. There is support to help them move on to more independent living. The home caters for young people who are emotionally and behaviourally challenging and often have been difficult to place in other homes.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a semi-detached four bedroom property, situated close to local amenities, bus routes and benefits from having easy access to the nearby city centre.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was a full inspection covering all the key national minimum standards and outcome areas. This was an announced inspection, conducted at short notice, which was given the evening before. During the inspection compliance with the required improvements from the last inspection was checked.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is good and the home has several outstanding features. Staff develop strong, positive relationships with young people and there are excellent key working arrangements that respect individual young peoples' needs and diversity. Staff strive hard to promote the emotional well-being of young people so that they are in a safe, stable environment and can then start to manage other aspects of their development. Young people are safe and there are excellent arrangements to promote their welfare. Young people benefit from outstanding levels of support and are fully involved in planning and making decisions about their lives. There is good health promotion and young people are supported to follow healthy lifestyles. There is a minor shortfall in monitoring medication stock kept in the home.

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Summary

The management of the home is outstanding particularly with respect to staff development. All the improvements from the last inspection have been made and there is one required action for further improvement as a result of this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All the required improvements from the last inspection have been implemented.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Damage to the home seen at the last inspection has been repaired and further remedial work has been completed to prevent leaks into the cellar. Visitors to the home who do not have a valid Criminal Records Bureau disclosure are supervised by staff to safeguard young people and this was clearly seen on the day of inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Records of physical intervention have improved with clear details of any holds used and young people are encouraged to make their own comments in the record book. This helps to monitor the safety and welfare of young people and ensure there is safe practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The arrangements for health promotion contribute towards good healthy outcomes for young people living at the home. Though there is a required action with regard to a minor shortfall in medication records, major aspects of health promotion are good or outstanding leading to an overall judgement of good.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's health needs are assessed as far as possible as part of the admission process and then monitored regularly and reviewed. Staff work closely with placing authorities and parents if possible to obtain as much information about young peoples' health needs. This is enhanced by very effective key working with individual young people, in particular with regard to promoting their emotional health and well- being. This helps young people to be able to manage constructively other parts of their life and development. This is a notable strength of the home in ensuring positive outcomes for young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is good support so that young people have regular health checks and attend any medical appointments. Young people learn about health care issues and how to have healthy lifestyles. Physical health is promoted well and young people can also access specialist health services for treatment or guidance depending on their individual needs. There has been good success in the reduction of smoking behaviour and substance misuse by young people. Staff are trained in first aid in the event of any accidents and there are good, safe procedures for ensuring young people get any necessary medication. One minor shortfall was noted in the monitoring of the stock of medication kept in the home. This is not judged to impact on outcomes for young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people are able to contribute to the menus and choose their diets. They have plenty of opportunity to learn how to be independent in planning and cooking their own meals. Meals provided by the home are of good quality, with plenty of choice and there is good promotion of health eating. The range of food caters to individual needs and preferences of which stem from young people's backgrounds and culture.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people also benefit from plenty of opportunities and encouragement to take part in physical and sporting activities in line with their own individual interests to help keep fit and healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is outstanding practice with regards to safeguarding young people's welfare. This is firmly rooted in the ethos and values of the home and the ability to promote the well-being of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an extremely sensitive and nurturing, person-centred ethos to help young people develop and flourish. Staff explore and develop positive strategies together with young people to help them manage and take responsibility for their own behaviour and actions. There is a well-developed, consistent approach for supporting young people with challenging behaviour which reflects their individual needs and backgrounds. There is very good success in improving the behaviour of young people. As a result, young people mature well and are able to respond much better to circumstances in their lives that previously would have provoked aggressive outbursts. There are firm but fair boundaries; expectations of acceptable behaviour are clear to young people and institutional interventions are avoided. This area of practice is another notable strength of the home. Such care practice also helps keep young people free from bullying and promotes a calm, relaxed and settled

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good, professional and caring approach to safeguarding practice that ensures young people are protected from abuse. Any allegations or concerns about abuse are managed well and there are well-developed relationships with other agencies providing an effective integrated approach to promoting young peoples' welfare. This includes circumstances when young people are absent from the home and may be at risk of harm. There is a well-managed process to alert the necessary authorities if this happens. Action taken by staff ensures young people are protected and return home safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people say they feel safe and know how to complain should they want to and they get a very good response to any of their concerns. They benefit from having their privacy respected and personal information about them is kept safe and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety is well managed and the home provides young people with a safe and secure environment. Strict procedures are followed for the recruitment of new staff to make sure only suitable staff are employed at the home. This includes the necessary background checks and references for new staff. There is good practice in including young people in the process of selecting new staff and taking account of their views.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people benefit from the hard work and commitment of staff that provides them with outstanding levels of support. This is underpinned by an excellent approach to promoting individual well-being, confidence and self-esteem, helping pupils resolve their emotional difficulties and to managing their own behaviour. Staff are skilled and sensitive to ensure key working meets the needs of young people and includes them in decisions about their development and what they want to learn about. Support for young people is very well planned and based on their individually- assessed needs, circumstances and backgrounds. This provides young people with excellent outcomes and opportunities to live out their chosen lifestyles and follow their hobbies and interests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Despite efforts by the manager and staff, not all young people who should be are in full-time education. The responsibility for this shortfall lies with both the placing authority and local authority in which the home is situated. The situation is managed well by the home who have advocated strongly for young people and have ensured there is independent advocacy to promote young people's rights. In the meantime, staff have been creative and engaged young people to develop their own work programme to promote their learning while waiting for the local authority to provide a school place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are excellent outcomes and opportunities for young people to contribute positively to their development, decisions about their lives and the running of the home. This is founded in the strong relationships staff build up with individual young people, which is another notable strength of the home. Staff are very motivated and genuinely care about the welfare and achievements of young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Admissions to the home can either be planned or take place in emergency circumstances. Where possible young people's individual needs are assessed before admission, helping to ensure the home is the right place for them to move to. Similarly, as much information is gathered before an emergency admission. Referrals are managed well so that the needs of all young people can be met and inappropriate admissions are avoided. This helps ensure the welfare of young people already living at the home is not put at risk from other young people moving in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is very good commitment to promoting young people's contact with their families; this includes extensive support with travel and trips home. There is good communication with placing authorities and families about young people's achievements, progress and any concerns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's needs continue to be assessed and reviewed after admission. Staff strive to obtain all relevant information about a young person which is used to develop a care plan of how individuals are supported. These plans detail the support a young person receives based on their needs, backgrounds and potential risks to their welfare. This includes any specific needs based on culture, religion and disability. Young people are involved in developing their care plan and have plenty of one-to-one time with staff to talk about their achievements and any anxieties. The process of assessment and care planning is of excellent quality as is the monitoring and review of young people's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is very effective practice with regards to the participation, consultation and inclusion of young people in their welfare, care and management of the home. This is central to the person-centred ethos and values in which care practice is firmly based. There are excellent relationships between staff and children based on respect, understanding and with clear boundaries and expectations. There is an outstanding key working system that includes young people in assessing their own abilities and setting targets for personal and social development. Staff are effective at enabling young people to set their own agendas for personal development and change at a pace that meets their individual needs. On a wider scale, young people are also supported to make decisions about the running of the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people are supported well with preparation and plans to leave the home. They are able to learn independent living skills, helping prepare them for more independent living. There is good support from staff with regard to planning for the transition to adulthood and ensuring other agencies and professionals are part of this process.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

There is a homely atmosphere and the home is decorated and furnished to a good standard with a good range of facilities that young people benefit from. Young people all have single bedrooms with keys to ensure their privacy and there are ample bathing facilities. There is a communal lounge, large dining room and kitchen. The home has a large rear patio and garden to the front.

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Organisation

The management of the home is outstanding and ensures the home is run in the best interests of the young people living there and provides them with excellent outcomes. The manager has developed very effective systems for running the home, clearly avoiding institutional practice. This is a key strength of the home. The manager and registered provider are very competent and have between them a wealth of experience which they pass on to other staff to assist and support their development. There are well-developed monitoring and quality assurance systems in place. This is reinforced by very positive reflective practice helping contribute to continuous improvements in management, care practice and outcomes for young people. Young people and staff are included in this process and their ideas are used for improving the service. There is very good, clear information about the home and what it provides for young people, their parents and social workers.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Young people receive excellent support that reflects their needs, backgrounds and individuality. Records are in excellent order, reflect strongly the individuality of young people and clearly show their needs, how they are supported, their achievements and development. This is underpinned by the training and development opportunities provided to staff to develop their knowledge and understanding of different cultures.

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Organisation

There is a competent staff group with clear deputising arrangements in the manager's absence. Most staff have, or are working towards achieving, the recommended qualification to care for children and young people. There are suitable staffing levels to support young people with their care, activities, visits and appointments. Staff receive excellent support, training and development opportunities to ensure that the care young people receive is of high quality. This is another notable strength of the home. This is underpinned by regular supervision to ensure that staff are effectively guided in safeguarding and promoting young people's welfare.

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Statutory Requirements

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

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Std. Action Due date

13 ensure there are suitable arrangements for the recording and safekeeping of medicines received into the home, in particular ensure records can account for all medication stocked at any time. (Regulation 21 (1)) 29/04/2011

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