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

Unique reference number SC378187 Inspection date 10/02/2012 Inspector Denise Perry Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/12/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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.

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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 owned by the same provider. It is 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 four recommendations set within the inspection report. These related to sanctions being understood and accurately recorded by staff, Regulation 33 reporting on children who go missing from care, systems in place for notifying significant events and monitoring trends and triggers relating to young people’s behaviours. The Registered Manager has met all of these recommendations demonstrating the home’s capacity for continuous improvement in the interest of young people. However, improvement is still needed in the recording of sanctions to demonstrate young people being encouraged to record their views in the home’s records.

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Progress

Staff view young people’s safety as a priority. They act promptly 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. Staff have also devised individualised missing from care assessments for young people to reflect specific vulnerabilities and actions to be followed. However, young people continue to place themselves at risk and participate in criminal activities. To address this, the Registered Manager works responsibly with placing authorities to ensure effective sharing of information about young people living in the home. In some cases, this has led the manager and placing authorities to review placements, and make decisions about young people who may require alternative placements, in order to keep them safe.

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Progress

New admissions have taken place when some young people already in residence were presenting with extremely challenging and negative behaviours. This has impacted on young people’s outcomes, as they become involved with other residents in anti-social and criminal behaviours. 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

The staff team present as non-judgemental and accepting of young people. They acknowledge the difficulties involved in caring for young people who abscond and place themselves at risk. However, they remain committed and enthusiastic about the work they undertake with young people. Since the last inspection staff have assisted young people to gradually re-engage with education. This has been an area of improvement and supported young people’s learning and development. There have been no physical restraints used. Staff work positively with young people and this has enabled young people to form good relationships with the people who look after them.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has improved the home’s monitoring systems for reviewing quality of care and services provided to young people. This includes identifying trends and triggers relating to young people’s individualised behaviours. The manager has implemented an action plan to demonstrate areas of improvement needed, which includes action taken to enhance provision of care to young people. The manager has implemented a system to notify within 24 hours the persons and appropriate authorities of the occurrence of significant events in accordance with Regulation 30. Regulation 33 reports now include examination of missing person’s reports in line with regulations. However, the manager is committed to making further 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

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Progress

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) promote and make proper provision for the welfare of children accommodated there. This specifically relates to the provision of appropriate placements 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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Recommendations

 ensure where any sanctions are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home. (NMS 3.18)

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