Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

Unique reference number SC025745 Inspection date 07/12/2011 Inspector Michelle Bacon Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/01/2011 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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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 main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Satisfactory : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is owned and managed by a charitable organisation. It provides a short breaks service for up to five young people with learning disabilities, including autistic spectrum disorders.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people stay for short breaks in an exceptionally safe, caring and supportive environment that enables them to make good progress. Excellent communication between parents, carers and staff ensure young people's needs continue to be met during their stay at the home. Parents feel that their children are being well looked after.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from having their individual needs clearly identified in their placement plans and these are written in consultation with parents and young people. The dedicated staff team work in partnership with other agencies, ensuring that young people are supported to achieve their full potential. Staff have high aspirations for young people and are committed to ensuring they enjoy a wide range of social opportunities. Staff know the young people very well and have established positive relationships with them. Staff frequently consult with the young people as their views are central to the running of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is effectively managed. Staff receive regular supervision and training to ensure they have the right level of knowledge and skill to meet young people's diverse needs. The management and staff are committed to providing a high standard of child care practice. Effective monitoring systems ensure the quality of care is regularly reviewed. However, the views and comments of parents and are not included in the monitoring process, so do not reflect how their views influence the development of the home.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure the wishes, feelings and views of young people and those significant to them are taken into account in monitoring staff and in developing the home.(NMS 1.7)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people experience short break care that promotes their physical health and emotional well-being. The primary responsibility for young people's overall health and education lies with parents. However staff work closely with all parents, health care and educational professionals, ensuring young people continue to flourish during their short stay. Young people's confidence and self-esteem are promoted by them taking part in a variety of activities such as, swimming, bike riding and bowling.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Feedback from young people and parents confirm young people enjoy their stay at the home. Young people communicate their views and choices through pictorial exchange communication systems and social stories. This ensures they are able to convey their likes and dislikes when planning menus and activities. Where appropriate young people are supported and encouraged to prepare snacks and drinks.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Comprehensive health care plans clearly identify young people's individual health needs and the arrangements for meeting these during their stay. Staff have appropriate training in first aid and the safe administration of medication. Robust medication procedures ensure the safe administration of medication. This ensures young people's health needs are effectively supported.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Young people are supported to grow in a stable and nurturing environment. Staff have a thorough knowledge and understanding of young people's individual needs, which is evident in the warm relationships they enjoy with young people. One staff member commented 'the main thrust of our work is to ensure the young people enjoy their time with us and want to come back'. Pictorial information is displayed in the home to assist young people in knowing which staff will be working with them.

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Quality of care

Young people's care is extremely well planned. Staff establish and maintain effective communication with parents through home visits, reports and telephone contact. This ensures any changes to a young person's specific needs are highlighted and their progress closely monitored. One young person's social worker commented 'the staff have established good relationships with parents, they provide a very good service'. Comprehensive placement plans guide staff in how to meet the individual needs of young people on a day-to-day basis and key workers are very proactive in ensuring these are regularly updated with the changing needs of young people.

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Quality of care

Young people and their families receive information about the service including the complaints procedure. Young people are able to raise concerns and complaints. Regular house meetings are held to gain the views of all the young people and ensure their full participation in matters about their care. Staff use a range of communication methods to ensure young people's participation.

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Quality of care

Young people stay in a home that provides comfort and space. The home is currently being redecorated and furnished. The home is ideally located for the local shops, park and amenities. Young people also have the use of the sensory and computer room at the home during their stay.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is outstanding at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff receive safeguarding training and have an excellent understanding of their role and responsibility to protect the welfare of young people. High staffing levels provide excellent supervision of young people to ensure their personal safety is well maintained. Robust policies and procedures further safeguard and protect young people from harm, including effective missing from home procedures.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Comprehensive risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated to manage any potential risks.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are supported in developing socially acceptable behaviour. Individual behaviour management strategies focus on de-escalation and redirection techniques to minimise the use of physical intervention. Staff are well trained in behaviour management and benefit from having this training regularly updated. A strong emphasis is placed on praising and rewarding young people rather than sanctioning. Staff confirm that bullying is not tolerated in the home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in an environment that is physically safe. Staff carry out regular health and safety checks, including fire drills to ensure young people know what to do in the case of an emergency. All fire, gas and electrical equipment are serviced annually. All visitors to the home are suitably checked and supervised to protect young people. Robust recruitment and selection practices further protect young people.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are outstanding .

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Leadership and management

The home is effectively and efficiently managed. The home meets the aims and objectives of its Statement of Purpose. The manager and staff have a strong commitment to improving outcomes for young people and in delivering a quality service tailored to the needs of individual young people. The home has had a change in management since the last inspection. However, this has not impacted on the stability of the home or the quality of care young people receive.

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Leadership and management

Staff are well supported by the manager. One commented 'management are part of the team and the manager is brilliant'. Staff benefit from having their training needs identified and there is a comprehensive training programme in place that enables them to further enhance their skills and knowledge. Regular team meetings allow the staff team to reflect on young people's progress and improve ways of supporting them. It also affords the team the opportunity to look at ways of improving the service.

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Leadership and management

Effective internal and external monitoring systems ensure the home maintains a high standard of care and safety. Although parents are regularly consulted on the care their children receive, these processes do not take into account their views to help improve and drive the service forward. The home shows a capacity for continued improvement based on its performance since the last inspection.

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Leadership and management

Young people's records are clear, well organised and detailed. They provide a comprehensive picture of a young person's needs and progress. All records are stored securely.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

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