Children's Home run by Eastfield Group in Sefton

Unique reference number SC064663 Inspection date 30/01/2012 Inspector Sonya Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/09/2011 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

The home can provide care and accommodation for up to five children or young people from the ages of 10 years to 17 years, with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned by a private organisation.

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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 last full inspection in September 2011 the home was rated as good. On that inspection Ofsted asked the provider to make the following improvements; to ensure that each young person has a health care plan; for each young person to have an appropriate educational placement; where young people have been missing from care that they have an opportunity to speak to someone independent of the home. Also, some bedroom carpets were in need of attention and more staff were to complete an appropriate childcare qualification.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, all young people have a health care plan in place which helps young people to understand their own health needs and make informed decisions about their health and well-being. This includes undertaking appropriate health appointments and seeking support from specialist services, such as substance misuse support services.

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Progress

All young people placed have educational placements which are individual to their needs. There are also now systems in place to support young people who may go missing from care, so that they can access their social worker or a person independent of the home on their return. These are not regular occurrences for the young people within this home as the home works to promote young people’s safety through individual work sessions about staying safe.

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Progress

All bedroom carpets have been cleaned since the last inspection and this occurred during the last inspection in September. The home has a maintenance plan in place and the majority of the windows have been replaced over the last year. However, there are some general maintenance issues, such as some upstairs carpets are heavily stained or have become very worn and some doors and door frames are awaiting painting.

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Progress

Additional staff have attained a qualification in caring for children and young people since the last inspection and this remains a working progress.

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Progress

The manager and the representative on behalf of the owner of the home monitor the home on a monthly basis and a copy of the manager's review has recently been forwarded to Ofsted, which is in line with good practice guidance. Outcomes for young people have continued to improve; in particular, a young person was recognised for their outstanding achievements within their local authority over the last year. Additionally, young people are enjoying a variety of cultural activities including making decorations and enjoying a meal to celebrate Chinese New Year, which they said ‘was 'delicious'.

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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 home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated (NMS 10.3)  ensure that all existing care staff have attained a minimum level 3 qualification. This was previously National Vocational Qualification in Caring for Children and Young People and from September 2010 is the, Children and Young Peoples Workforce Diploma. (NMS 18.5)

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