Children's Home run by Catholic Care (Diocese of Leeds) in Leeds

Unique reference number SC001531 Inspection date 30/01/2012 Inspector Fiona Parker Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 11/05/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five boys aged between 11 and 17 years. The home provides care for young people who may need support with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home aims to support young people return to family, move to foster carers, or live independently.

p.4

Progress

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

p.4

Progress

This home was judged as good at the previous inspection in May 2011. This interim inspection judges the home has made satisfactory progress demonstrating action is taken to address shortfalls and improve. Four of the five recommendations are met. There are two requirements to address from this inspection which do not significantly impact on young people's welfare.

p.4

Progress

Young people enjoy positive relationships with the manager, staff team and for the majority of the time with each other. The staff team are caring and committed to their role and prioritise the welfare and safety of young people. Young people report they feel safe living in the home. The staff team works well with partner agencies which maximises the support for young people to achieve their potential. In addition, prompt referrals to specialist agencies ensure young people can access tailored individual support, for example, therapeutic interventions. Several areas of the home are newly decorated resulting in a warm, homely and comfortable environment which young people have been involved with creating and are therefore proud of.

p.4

Progress

Young people's vulnerabilities are well understood and staff are vigilant to any potential concerns and appropriately liaise with the local authority. Although references to a sexual exploitation protocol are in the safeguarding procedures, this is not available for staff reference. Therefore staff are not sufficiently informed of the local protocol and cannot refer to this, when liaising with the local authority.

p.4

Progress

The previous inspection identified five areas for improvement. The staff team have recently enrolled on appropriate courses to gain the recognised qualifications to support their work with children and young people. This works towards ensuring young people are cared for by a suitably qualified team. Young people's placement plans are improved and contain more detail and clearer assessments of needs and progress. Overall young people's files are more organised and structured resulting in easier access to information for young people, now and in the future. The staff team make use of day-to-day conversations and key work sessions to broaden young people's tolerance and understanding of differences. Young people clearly enjoy talking about their day and experiences with staff. The intention of the home is always to improve, however the internal monitoring arrangements do not fully support this. The manager undertakes internal monitoring

p.4

Progress

of key areas and the reports are more structured but very brief. This results in activity which is not sufficiently robust and does not identify ways to maintain and improve the quality of care. In addition the views of young people, parents and those of the local authority are not represented and reports are not forwarded to Ofsted.

p.5

Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) prepare and implement a written policy which is intended to safeguard children. In particular ensure the local protocol for sexual exploitation is available (Regulation 16 (1) (a)) 16/03/2012

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) establish and maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided, ensure the system provides for consultation with children, their parents and placing authorities and supply to HMCI (Ofsted) a report in respect of any review conducted. (Regulation 34 (1) (b) (2) (3)) 16/03/2012

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5