Atkinson Unit

Unique reference number SC046276 Inspection date 18/11/2011 Inspector Michelle Oxley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Secure Unit

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Date of last inspection 05/05/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This secure unit is managed by a local authority. The unit is registered as a secure children’s home and is approved by the Secretary of State to provide secure care and accommodation. The unit is currently providing placements for up to 10 young people.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

The service has made good progress with some positive developments identified since the last inspection visit.

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Progress

The management team continue to work proactively in order to raise the quality of the service provided to young people. The views of others continue to be utilised in order to improve and inform the operation of the home. A comments book has now been placed in the reception area to capture more opinions, inviting visitors to record their views of the service.

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Progress

Improvements have been made to the quality of information provided to young people, parents and placing officers. New information leaflets have been devised providing a good range of information about the day-to-day operation of the home, helping young people understand what to expect. A picture board displaying photographs of the staff team has been installed in the reception area. In addition improvements have been made to the homes website.

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Progress

The quality of accommodation has improved with parts of the home redecorated and new carpets fitted.

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Progress

Following the last inspection there was one statutory requirement and seven recommendations made. Managers have developed a range of strategies to ensure that each shortfall has been fully addressed.

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Progress

The statutory requirement concerned ensuring that all records were accurately signed and dated. A system has now been put in place to ensure that record keeping is improved. This has been achieved by altering the case management arrangements. Three managers are now responsible for overseeing all aspects of young people's care including ensuring that records are signed and dated. In addition the operations manager undertakes a case audit.

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Progress

The approach to developing skills for adulthood has been improved upon as recommended. The assessment of independent living skills is now integrated in to each young person's care plan providing a more targeted and focused approach with written information for staff to follow.

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Progress

A recommendation was made concerning the gender balance of the staff team, to ensure that staff in day-to-day contact with young people include both genders. The staff group work across three teams which continue to operate with a greater number male staff; however this is offset by two additional female staff who carry out direct work with young people in the evenings.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the manager has created an overall development plan for the service as recommended. The plan provides good detail in relation to the proposed progress and future operation of the home.

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Progress

The arrangements concerning the amount of one-to-one time staff spend with young people have been improved by the recruitment of new staff and the implementation of a recording system. This system enables managers to oversee and monitor the volume of one-to-one time received by each young person and to make adjustments should a need for this be identified.

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Progress

Managers have continued to liaise with the health authority with a view to increasing in-house specialist mental health service, as recommended following the last inspection. A specialist worker is on-site two days a week and an agreement has been made for a significant increase to on-site psychiatric services at the home. In addition a contract is now in place which has established the support of a visiting psychologist once every two weeks.

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Progress

A new system has been created to monitor and improve the recording of medicines as recommended. Duty managers now oversee the administration of medicines and use a check list to ensure that accurate recordings are made. Additionally, staff training in the administration of medications is now more comprehensive.

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