Children's Home run by Cove Care – Residential Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC397933 Inspection date 13/02/2012 Inspector Martha Nethaway Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/10/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home is privately owned and offers placements for two young people who may have a combination of mental health, psychological, emotional or complex care needs that present challenging behaviour. The service is designed to offer medium to long-term care placements. The home’s programme of care generally incorporates a structured balance of education, recreation and therapeutic interventions tailored to meet individual needs. The small scale of the home permits sufficient flexibility to adjust to changing placement circumstances.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in October 2011 the overall quality rating for the home was judged as good. Action has been taken to address the one recommendation: the home has completed a development plan which is intrinsically linked to the quality of care and the safeguarding of young people. As a result of this visit, there is one recommendation relating to monitoring the quality of care and activities by providing Ofsted with reports every six months.

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Progress

Leadership and management are good. Staff are well supported through direct line management, supervision and professional guidance. Since the last inspection, new staff have joined the team and are currently completing their induction programme and training. One member of staff commented, ‘I am well supported and the company’s training is good.’ The outcome for young people is that they are encouraged to develop safe, supportive and nurturing relationships with staff. One young person commented, ‘Staff are helpful and caring.’

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Progress

Young people’s experiences are broadly positive. Young people are benefiting from the staff’s ability to use positive behaviour management approaches. For example, behavioural incidents at the home show a steady decline. Young people’s outcomes are improving because they are learning how to change and divert poor behaviours.

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Progress

Young people’s educational experiences are improving. Staff encourage and support young people to do well in their school. This is because good levels of communication with the school enables young people to address underachievement. Young people are beginning to benefit because there is greater focus being given to educational attainment and achievement. This is helping to improve educational outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Young people’s views and opinions are being regularly sought. This includes their participation in weekly house meetings where they openly and frankly discuss matters related to the home. Young people also use their key worker meetings to share their views at a more personal level. The outcome for young people is this helps to safeguard and protect their rights as a child.

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Progress

The management team are self aware and have a sound understanding of the strengths and areas for development in the home. There are clear strategies in place for continual improvement to the quality of care, support and guidance for young people. However, the home’s records on monitoring of activities have not been forwarded to Ofsted. As a result, there is no clear evidence about how any patterns, trends and charting of improvements is being progressed.

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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

 forward, as good practice, completed Regulation 34 reports at six monthly intervals. (The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 5: Children’s Homes 3.14)

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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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