Children's Home run by Pear Tree Projects Limited in Durham

Unique reference number SC007608 Inspection date 15/02/2012 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 31/10/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is run by a private company which provides residential care and education for young people. It is registered to care for up to three young people aged between eight and 17 years with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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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 effectiveness rating of the home was good. The home has made good progress since the last inspection. Developments and improvements ensure that young people are well cared for and safe. Young people say they are very happy and feel safe living at the home. They have a warm, relaxed and friendly manner with staff.

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Progress

Three requirements and three recommendations were made at the last inspection. All these matters have been fully addressed. The Registered Manager was required to ensure that the placing authority had supplied all care planning and placement documentation relating to young people living at the home. This has now taken place. The home knows exactly what services they are being asked to provide and why. This means young people receive the right care to meet their needs. The home's manager has now thoroughly reviewed the Statement of Purpose and young people's guide. These documents now fully reflect the experience of staff members. Placing authorities know what interests and skills staff have and how these can be used to enable young people to achieve their maximum potential. The young people's guide has also been updated. The guide is written in plain English and makes full use of colour, pictures and graphics. This means that young people with

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Progress

communication difficulties can understand more about what it is like to live at the home. The manager was also required to ensure that any child protection enquiries are notified promptly to Ofsted and the home has reviewed its procedure for making such notifications appropriately.

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Progress

Recommendations were made about each young person's care planning reviews and statements of special educational needs. Copies of all review documents have now been received by the home's manager. Staff know what decisions have been taken, why they have been taken and who is responsible for ensuring any actions are carried out. In addition, statements of special educational needs for those children who require them are now in place. This helps to ensure that young people receive the appropriate support necessary to help them achieve their maximum potential at school. One final recommendation was made in relation to transition planning for young people. It was recommended that the home's manager and staff contribute toward these plans for care leavers. The home has ensured that they continue to promote the independence of young people and that they are able to acquire the necessary skills associated with daily living. The home's contribution to the young

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Progress

person's transition planning is now fully recorded and borne in mind. However, despite regular contact with the local authority, a formal transition plan for one particular young person has not been forthcoming. This means that the young person may not receive the services and help they need to support them in the community, despite the best efforts of the home.

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Progress

In addition to the above, the home has made further improvements that enhance the quality of the care provided to young people. Staffing at the home has been increased on most days during the week. This enables young people to become involved in a wider range of activities and further develop their social skills. A programme of redecoration throughout the home has also been agreed and some developments in the garden have taken place. This will help to improve the surroundings of young people and to encourage them to become more involved in horticulture and growing their own vegetables. The home's manager has also increased the responsibilities of key workers. Key workers now set targets for young people to work toward. Achieving their targets helps young people develop their confidence and self esteem.

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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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