Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC378181 Inspection date 09/02/2012 Inspector Denise Perry Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 06/12/2011 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 privately-owned home is one of two children’s homes registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the full inspection in December 2011, the home’s overall quality rating was satisfactory with five recommendations set within the inspection report. These related to staff recruitment records, obtaining young people’s pathway plans, reviewing the home’s development plan and monitoring systems, including Regulation 33 reporting on children who go missing from care. The Registered Manager has met all of these recommendations demonstrating the home’s capacity to improve through the effectiveness of leadership and management.

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Progress

Staff works in consultation with placing social workers to meet the aims and objectives of young people’s pathway plans. However, young people choose not to fully engage in these plans. As a result, young people are making minimal progress. Their lack of involvement in completing independent tasks is not sufficiently consistent to support them with a successful transition through to adulthood. New admissions have taken place when some young people already in residence are presenting with extremely challenging and negative behaviours. This has impacted on young people’s outcomes, as they become involved in similar unsafe and criminal behaviours with other residents. As a result, a requirement has been made to ensure the welfare of children accommodated in the home is promoted through the provision of appropriate placements.

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Progress

Young people’s safety remains a priority. Staff act swiftly when young people go missing and follow local protocols to minimise risks. They have developed strong links with other professionals to identify effective ways of working with young people to address their unsafe and anti-social behaviours. The Registered Manager attends multi-agency meetings and strategy meetings to review young people’s plans and identified risks. As a result, staff have devised individualised missing from care procedures for young people which reflect their specific vulnerabilities and actions required. This is in agreement with the local police and placing social workers. However, young people continue to place themselves at risk and partake in criminal activities. This means that young people are not developing personal strategies for themselves to reinforce improved self-esteem and self-control.

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Progress

The home presents as homely and well maintained. However, due to the destructive challenges some young people present the replacement of damaged furniture in young people’s bedrooms needs attention. The home’s recruitment records have improved. The manager now records all referee telephone enquiries in line with the national minimum standards. Staff report that they feel well supported by the manager and their colleagues. One staff member said, ‘I’m happy working here, they are a fantastic group of people to work with and I feel well supported’. Interactions between staff and young people are positive and appropriate. Staff acknowledge the difficulties in caring for young people who abscond and who choose not to fully engage in meaningful activities. However, they remain positive about the young people in their care and continue to encourage them to progress in the different areas of their lives. This shows young people that they are valued and cared for

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Progress

regardless of the behaviours they present.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has reviewed the home’s development plan and monitoring systems have improved to review quality of care and services provided to young people. This includes identifying trends and triggers relating to young people’s individualised behaviours. Further, the manager has implemented an action plan to demonstrate areas of improvement needed, which include action taken to enhance provision of care to young people. Regulation 33 reports now include examination of missing person’s reports in line with the national minimum standards. The manager is committed to making improvements on both external and internal monitoring procedures within the home. For example, the manager is seeking additional context and analytical information on the running of the home through Regulation 33 and 34 reports. This is an area under review to improve on quality assurance systems to support improved outcomes for young people.

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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.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the children's home is suitably furnished. This specifically relates to the repair of broken bedroom furniture (Regulation 31 (4)) 10/03/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) promote and make proper provision for the welfare of children accommodated there. This specifically relates to the provision of appropriate placements being made. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)) 10/03/2012

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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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