Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

Unique reference number SC381085 Inspection date 23/01/2012 Inspector Louise Redfern Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/08/2011 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 is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by the local authority.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the previous full inspection, in August 2011, the overall effectiveness of the service was judged as good. There were two requirements and two recommendations made. The Registered Manager and staff team have demonstrated a continued improvement in the quality of care and positive outcomes for young people. This has included young people making excellent progress and continuing to flourish, develop and achieve individual goals.

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Progress

The home has fully addressed both requirements made at the last full inspection. The Registered Manager ensures there is a clear record of visitors to the home and the purpose of the visit. The Registered Manager has implemented further safeguards, for example, putting in place a risk assessment for regular contractors to the home, such as the window cleaner. These measures further protect and safeguard young people from visitors to the home.

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Progress

Young people understand the importance of healthy lifestyles and take responsibility for their own health. They re-evaluate their lifestyles and make choices to improve them, for example, giving up smoking. This improves their health and well-being. Young people benefit from regular exercise and assessment of their diet. There has been an improvement in monitoring the diets of young people and their overall weight. This ensures any patterns or trends of individual young people are identified and, where necessary, support is available, such as accessing specialist nurses for advice.

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Progress

The home has addressed one of the recommendations from the last inspection. A clear, written record of individual staff supervisions, including the Registered Manager’s, is now held on each individual file. One recommendation remains outstanding; although the Registered Manager has started a development plan, it is still not in place. Therefore, this recommendation is restated. There is still no direct impact on the welfare of young people as they continue to achieve excellent outcomes and receive good quality of care.

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Progress

The staff play an active role in helping young people in their transition to adulthood. Young people are encouraged and supported to take part in developing their individual life skills. For instance, they budget for their weekly food shopping and do cooking independently. As a result, young people are skilled and confident in their abilities.

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Progress

Young people continue to benefit from appropriate contact with their family, friends and other people who are important to them. They are encouraged appropriately to meet family and friends at the home or other locations convenient for the contact, which is facilitated by staff. Some relationships that young people are involved in have significantly improved their social interaction and confidence. They are supported to develop links in the local community, which help them to develop their sense of identity and feel part the local area. For example, on occasions they cook meals for an elderly neighbour.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team are passionate about being excellent role models for young people and ensuring that young people achieve their full potential. Young people benefit from a supportive and proactive staff team. They are imaginative in continuing to develop young people’s interests and engagement in activities. For example, they arrange to run in the community with the young people and organise personal training sessions at the local gym. This helps develop positive relationships between staff and young people and builds young people’s self-esteem.

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Progress

There is an ongoing commitment to providing a high-quality service. All staff are working vigorously towards improving outcomes for young people. The Registered Manager consistently communicates high expectations to staff in order to maintain good standards within 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 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)

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