Children's Home run by Aspire Child Care Ltd in Rochdale

Unique reference number SC413779 Inspection date 18/02/2011 Inspector Stella Henderson Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 02/09/2010 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 of either gender aged between 10 to 17 years of age.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a semi-detached newly built terrace house in an area which has good access to public transport and other amenities. It has two bedrooms and a separate bathroom for young people, along with office space and sleeping in room for staff which is en-suite.

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Brief description of the service

There is ample space for young people to enjoy communal activities or have private space should they so wish. The home is decorated and furnished throughout to a very high standard.

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Brief description of the service

No young people were accommodated at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory.

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Summary

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

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Summary

The purpose of this visit was to undertake an unannounced random inspection.

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Summary

This was the home's first inspection. No children or young people are currently in residence. Our inspection methodology relies on evidence found at the time of inspection and this essentially includes young people's views about the service. As this evidence is not available when there are no young people present, we have completed a proportionate inspection, the purpose of which is to decide that should an admission be made the service would be able to work to a satisfactory standard. Evidence from this inspection demonstrates this to be the case.

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Summary

For example, there are suitable arrangements for ensuring that young people are cared for safely and that their health needs are met. The home has appropriate systems in place to ensure that staff are trained and qualified for their work. Sound management arrangements are in place to ensure that the care that is given to young people is monitored and their welfare is promoted. Required policies and procedures are in place to help support staff and safeguard young people.

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Summary

An action is raised in relation to regulation 33 visits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home has established systems, supported by sound documentation, to ensure that the good health of young people is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Suitable policies and procedures are in place to help staff promote young people's health and to ensure that young people's health needs are identified. There is good access in the locality to primary health care services and leisure facilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are appropriate arrangements in place for the safe storage and administration of medication to protect young people and promote their welfare. This includes a clearly accountable system for checking medicines and records. Staff are trained in the delivery of first aid so that they know how to care for young people in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are appropriate systems in place to ensure that young people are cared for safely. For example, there are suitable arrangements to ensure that the privacy of young people is respected. The home also has a range of policies that relate to safeguarding issues. These include countering bullying, behaviour management, child protection and managing unauthorised absences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by the home's arrangements for the management of risk and health and safety matters. This inspection found that the home is compliant with national minimum standards and regulations relating to recruitment and vetting. This ensures that only those suitable to work with young people are employed by the home.

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Organisation

The service has a clear Statement of Purpose and a detailed young person's guide, both of which provide good written information about how young people are cared for in the home.

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Organisation

Staffing arrangements are compliant with the regulations and the home's Statement of Purpose. Staff have access to a range of relevant training and regular supervision and team meetings are undertaken to ensure that staff are meeting the needs of young people.

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Organisation

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. There are good arrangements for monitoring the work of the home under regulation 34, to ensure that good standards of care can be offered to young people on admission. There is an established on-call system in place and the home is staffed in a way which meets the needs of the young people resident.

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Organisation

Regulation 33 visits are undertaken within required timescales. This helps the home to promote good outcomes for young people. The person undertaking regulation 33 visits must however be employed by the organisation and an action is raised to improve practice in this area.

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Organisation

The home has suitable facilities for the secure storage of information that is kept about young people. Recording is of a good standard which means young people have an accurate record of their time spent at the home.

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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

32 ensure that where the registered provider is an organisation or partnership, the home shall be visited in accordance with this 18/03/2011 regulation. (Regulation 33) (2) (a-c)

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