Children's Home run by Eagle Children’s Home in Wolverhampton

Unique reference number SC356565 Inspection date 15/02/2012 Inspector Linda Brown Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 26/10/2011 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 children’s home is run by a private organisation and is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people aged from 10 to 17 years old with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Progress

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

p.4

Progress

At the last inspection in October 2011, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as good. Two requirements and one recommendation for improvement were made at that inspection in relation to healthy eating, monitoring the quality of care, and the evaluation of staff training programme. However, the home has not made the all necessary improvements in these areas.

p.4

Progress

The requirement regarding healthy eating has been met. Young people state that staff actively encourage them to try new foods and live a healthy lifestyle. Staff spend time with young people looking at new recipes, cooking with and encouraging them to vary their diet. Although at times young people’s choices do not always promote healthy eating, significant improvements have been made to encourage and provide young people with balanced and healthy diet.

p.4

Progress

In relation to the Registered Manager’s monitoring of the service and the completion of Regulation 34 reports; the Registered Manager confirms that discussion has taken place with the responsible individual regarding the frequency of these reports. However, no formal monitoring or Regulation 34 reports have been completed by the Registered Manager and sent to Ofsted since the previous inspection..

p.4

Progress

Staff have continued to receive training in several areas, such as, anti bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual health and the Children and Young People’s Workforce diploma at level 3. Records are maintained of this training. However, there is still a lack of effective monitoring and evaluation of the learning and development programme for staff.

p.4

Progress

The concerns about the lack of progress raised at this inspection have not had an impact on the quality of care being delivered to the young people. They continue to receive a good quality of care. The management and staff remain child-focused and committed to protecting and promoting good outcomes for the young people in their care. Young people speak really positively regarding the care and support they receive and the relationships they have with the staff. Young people stated that they are ‘really happy at the home’, ‘things are going well’ and ‘they want to remain there until they reach adulthood.’ They also speak positively regarding recent improvements made to the home with new carpets and floor covering throughout the downstairs. As a result, young people benefit from a comfortable and homely environment.

p.4

Progress

Although significant improvements have been made to the quality of the Regulation 33 monitoring visits, there is still no system in place to ensure that the views and wishes of children and those significant to them are taken into account in the monitoring of staff and in developing the home. At times the Registered Manager is unclear about the concern being raised for improvement through the Regulation 33 visits and therefore action is not always taken to resolve the issue. This practice then undermines the systems in place to improve the service to young people. It is evident that some shortfalls are picked up and addressed; however, there is still no formal monitoring completed by the Registered Manager. In addition, there is no plan in place for the development of the service. The Registered Manager and staff are unclear regarding the areas that require improvement or development. This practice indicates that the home is not being effectively monitored in order to

p.5

Progress

improve and develop the service delivered to young people.

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) ensure that the registered person shall establish and maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals; and improving the quality of care provided in the children's home (Regulation 34 (1) (a) & (b)) 30/03/2012

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a copy of the Regulation 34 report is sent to the HMCI at Ofsted. (Regulation 34 (2)) 30/03/2012

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that a learning and development programme is evaluated for effectiveness at least annually, and if necessary, is updated (NMS 18.2)  ensure that the registered person has a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home (NMS 15.2)  ensure that the wishes, feelings and views of the children and those significant to them are taken into account in monitoring staff and developing the home. (NMS 1.7)

p.5