Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC039248 Inspection date 09/02/2012 Inspector Pamela Nuckley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 01/11/2011 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

Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide a service for six young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties and is run by a local authority.

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

Progress

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

p.3

Progress

At the full inspection that was carried out in November 2011, the overall effectiveness of the service was judged as good.

p.3

Progress

At the last inspection the home was asked to maintain a homely environment; specifically in relation to the decoration of the hall and stairwell and to replace the worn carpets. The home has not addressed this requirement. The home has appropriately addressed one recommendation that was raised at the previous inspection regarding evidencing that activities were offered to young people.

p.3

Progress

The home continues to appear uncared for. The hallway and stairs leading to the young people's bedrooms still need decorating and carpets in this area and in young people's bedrooms are worn, stained and have burn marks on them. Young people and parents have negatively commented on these factors. The manager says that there has been some delay in securing funds. However, funds have now been allotted to them and this work is now in the planning stage. However, at this moment in time, young people do not live in a comfortable and homely environment and the home is not well maintained and decorated. Therefore this requirement remains in place.

p.3

Progress

The home now evidences the range of activities and trips offered to young people. These recordings show that young people are offered a wide and varied range of sedate, leisure and educational activities which include continuing support for young people with their hobbies. This is greatly appreciated by the young people. Young people were enthusiastic about forthcoming events. One young person said, 'It is half term next week and we are going ice skating, to the 3D cinema and to the theatre. I have never been to the theatre before and I am really looking forward to it. We all chose these activities in our young people's meeting and everyone gets a choice.’ The home continues to support young people to take part in community activities which enables young people to form and sustain their peer friendships. This shows that young people are being consulted and are benefiting from new experiences.

p.4

Progress

Young people are engaged in their education and their attendance at school is good. Young people who had previous poor attendance at education are now engaging well. Some young people have successfully completed recognised educational awards. One young person was proud to show the inspector three certificates that they had received that day. One for completing a fire service course, one for successfully passing a first aid course and one for best overall student. Staff expressed how proud they were of the young person and they were taken out to buy some music as a reward. This shows that young people's achievements are celebrated at this home.

p.4

Progress

Young people speak highly about their care and support in the home. It is evident that they enjoy positive relationships with staff and each other. These constructive relationships have significantly influenced the young people's engagement levels with the home across all areas. There are good levels of one-to-one work with all of the young people to seek their views and feedback, as well as frequent children's meetings. The young people are positive about the ability of staff to act on their views and wishes. Young people feel safe, secure and cared for in this home and can reflect on how the staff team have supported them to develop life skills, behave more appropriately and build self-confidence.

p.4

Progress

Staff in the home demonstrate a good understanding of safe working practice to meet individual young people's needs. This robust safeguarding practice promotes the safety of young people. Young people continue to receive well-planned care provided by a committed and competent staff team. Staff provide clear boundaries within a caring environment. Young people have a positive view of the care that they receive and say that their relationships with staff are good. Young people confirm that they feel safe and that they feel that they would be able to talk to staff if they were worried or anxious. The culture and practice within the home promotes individual identity, difference and equality. As a result, young people receive good quality care and support which is based on their individual identified needs.

p.4

Progress

The rapport between staff, managers and young people is warm, caring and respectful. Managers have the welfare of young people and staff at heart and encourage high achievement. Staff are genuinely enthusiastic about their care of young people and there is a commitment to providing a high quality service. This is embedded throughout the home creating a very safe and reassuring environment whereby young people develop and achieve positive outcomes.

p.4

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 all parts of the children's home used by children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained; specifically in relation to decoration of the stairwell and landing and the carpets in these area and the carpets in young people's bedrooms. (Regulation 31(2)(e)) 31/03/2012

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5

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.6

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.6