Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Stoke-on-Trent

Unique reference number SC008269 Inspection date 24/03/2011 Inspector Elaine Cray Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 17/11/2010 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 for three young people, of either sex, between the ages of 10 and 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The service provides medium to long-term residential care and is owned by a private company.

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Brief description of the service

The home is located in a residential area that has easy access to local facilities and public transport. The house consists of a lounge, dining room, study and kitchen on the ground floor. Young people's bedrooms and a bathroom are on the first floor. There are gardens to the front and rear of the house.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This is an unannounced interim inspection. The focus of this inspection is the judging of the key standards relating to the outcome group staying safe. This inspection also reviews the progress the provider has made with recommendations resulting from the previous inspection.

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Summary

The evidence gathered on this interim inspection shows outstanding outcomes for the safeguarding of young people. There are significant developments and improvements in their behaviour and risk taking activities. The service maintains excellent inter-agency liaison to promote the safety of young people. The overall judgement of good from the findings of the full inspection in November 2010 remains. No actions or recommendations are set as a result of this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection, all staff have completed or refreshed their safeguarding children training. Staff recruitment files are now improved with the full and required compliment of information.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by excellently planned and effectively implemented safeguarding arrangements. There are robust staff recruitment procedures and young people are kept safe by staff who are well trained in safeguarding children procedures, behaviour management and health and safety. Staff are fully aware of the procedures regarding young people going missing and who to notify about serious incidents in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are significant improvements in young people’s safety due to the staff team’s proactive and meaningful approach to working with agencies and the inclusion of young people and families in these processes. Young people thrive in a structured yet enabling environment and are encouraged to make more positive lifestyle choices for themselves. They are empowered and have increased self confidence to promote their own safety, understand risk taking behaviour and look at positive alternatives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people say they feel safe at the home and identify positively with their improved behaviour. Their behaviour is managed and significantly improved with clear written behaviour management policies, procedures and placement care planning. Young people’s behaviour and welfare is further protected and supported by staff who promote and implement effective risk and behaviour management strategies in their day-to-day practice. There are clear, structured boundaries with an emphasis on promoting incentives and rewarding positive and improved behaviour. Young people have positive relationships with staff who encourage positive role modelling from both within the home and liaison with appropriate agencies. Staff are exceptionally proud of the young people’s achievements which include safer substance use, healthier lifestyles, engaging with therapeutic and support agencies and making more positive social associations and relationships. Records are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

maintained and show good accountability for when rewards, sanctions and physical intervention are used in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The privacy of young people is respected. There are clear processes to promote an appropriate balance between privacy and safety. Young people enjoy their own private space and understand the boundaries that are in place including possible room checks to promote their safety. Young people’s views are valued and they are provided with open and accessible ways to enable them to express their concerns, wishes and feelings. Young people understand and are protected by the clear written complaints procedure and additional information included in the young people’s guide. There is an anti-bullying policy. Young people say there are no concerns about bullying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The physical environment is well maintained and monitored in terms of health and safety, with comprehensive and generally detailed documentation. Fire safety procedures are checked, monitored and young people know what to do if there is a fire.

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