Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

Unique reference number SC369840 Inspection date 16/02/2012 Inspector Louise Redfern Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 22/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by the local authority.

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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

The home was judged as outstanding at the previous full inspection in November 2011. No statutory requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection.

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Progress

The home continues to provide exceptional care for young people who, as a result, achieve excellent outcomes. Young people benefit from a home that is warm and nurturing. The staff team work consistently, with clear and defined boundaries for each individual young person. They continue to show an ongoing commitment to providing a high quality service, which encourages young people to thrive and develop.

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Progress

The home has continued to develop their practice and make improvements in the care of the young people. The staff team now encourage young people to become more involved in their own care planning. This ensures young people are consulted and have an understanding of their individual plan. They report the home, ‘is outstanding and I would change nothing’.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the home has developed the independence programme to produce individually tailored programmes. The programmes are working towards preparing young people for adulthood. Young people have continued to thrive and make progress in developing a positive self-view, building emotional resilience and developing life skills.

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Progress

There have been no changes to the staff group since the last inspection. The staff team benefit from a motivated and committed manager. The whole staff group receive regular and specific individual supervisions, which are underpinned by focused team meetings. Young people have been invited to and attended, staff meetings. Young people now benefit from having free access to minutes from their house meetings.

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Progress

Young people’s attendance in education is excellent. Staff promote education, offering time and commitment which enables young people to make consistent progress and gain the ability to recognise their own achievements. The staff team develop positive relationships with education provisions to support young people in their progress and achievements. Young people are encouraged to participate in leisure activities to develop their social interactions.

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Progress

Young people are provided with care and support based on individual identified needs, assessed risks and the potential to develop. Records provide good evidence of the individual progress made by young people while in placement.

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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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