Children's home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Sheffield

Unique reference number SC391594 Inspection date 02/02/2012 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/09/2011 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

This children's home is privately owned and provides care and accommodation for up to three children of either gender, between the ages of eight and 17 who have a learning disability.

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Brief description of the service

The home is fitted with minor aids and adaptations to help support children who may also have a physical disability.

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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 overall judgement for the effectiveness of the home was good. Young people are continuing to make good progress in settling in well into their new home and in improving personal care and independence skills. Young people interact positively, with staff showing the strong relationships which have been nurtured to assist in building young people’s confidence.

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Progress

The two requirements made at the last inspection have been met. Written records are made of complaints, detailing the action taken and the outcome of the investigation. This is to show that all complaints have been taken seriously and appropriate action has been taken to address these The home is kept in good structural repair, with the replacement of windows on the front of the house taking place and some floor coverings being replaced. This ensures that young people are living in a comfortable and safe environment.

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Progress

The two recommendations have not been implemented in full and are, therefore, repeated. The home does not have complaints forms in various formats to meet the varying needs of young people using the service. Therefore, this does not ensure sufficiently that all young people can make their concerns known formally in a format that they can use and understand. Not all staff have yet completed a Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma qualification at level 3 or an equivalent. This does not ensure that all staff have attained the recognised qualification for care staff to assist them to meet the needs of the young people.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, one further deficiency has been noted. Regulation 34 summary reports have not been sent to Ofsted on a six monthly basis, as required, to confirm that regular monitoring and improvement of the quality of the service provided to young people has taken place.

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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 all children understand how their views can be taken into account, and where they have significant wishes or concerns they are acted upon. In particular, that there are suitable formats explaining how children can make a complaint (NMS 1.2)  ensure all staff attain the Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma qualification at level 3 (NMS 18.5)  ensure the manager sends into Ofsted a summary twice yearly of the regular monitoring of the service under Regulation 34, to identify patterns and trends and the action taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. (NMS 21.2)

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