Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC410537 Inspection date 17/01/2012 Inspector Andrew Hewston Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 07/10/2011 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 children's home provides residential accommodation for two young people, male or female, who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The home is privately run and forms part of a group of four children's homes.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in October 2011, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as outstanding, with only one recommendation set relating to a need for a development plan for the home. This continues to be unavailable due to the absence of the Registered Manager on the day of the inspection and staff not being aware of this. Therefore, this recommendation has been set again.

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Progress

Young people continue to receive a high level of care from staff that are well trained and enjoy working at the home. The home is fully staffed and includes individuals with differing levels of experience and training, with newer staff completing basic training and developing a good awareness of the residential staff role to provide appropriate care to the young people.

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Progress

Since the last inspection there has been a change in residents. This has been well managed, with thoughtful introductions to the home. Staff have gained information relating to young people’s care from differing sources, including post-placement meetings; this ensures that individual needs are responded to appropriately.

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Progress

Young people continue to be fully involved in their care and the running of the home through regular key worker sessions and young people's meetings. These are well recorded and show that requests made by young people are responded to. Young people are also fully involved in recordings relating to their care and are able to make comments at the end of each daily record. Contact arrangements are fully supported by the staff team and this is appreciated by both the young people and their families. Behaviour management systems are in place and sanctions are fully recorded by staff to ensure consistency, although these are not always monitored by the manager swiftly. Some sanctions appear to overly protect young people and do not encourage age-appropriate activities.

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Progress

The home is very well decorated throughout and cared for by both staff and young people to give a very pleasant and homely environment.

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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 that the registered person has a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home, either identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the service or confirming the continuation of the home's current operation and resource. (NMS 15.2)  ensure young people are encouraged to participate in a range of positive activities that contribute to their physical and emotional health (NMS 6.3)  ensure the manager regularly monitors all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home’s policies. (NMS 21.2)

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