Children's Home run by Cornerstone Children’s Homes Limited in Stockport

Unique reference number SC394478 Inspection date 21/02/2012 Inspector Michelle Moss Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 06/12/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is privately owned and provides care and accommodation for no more than three young people of either sex, from 11 to 17 years of age with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home accepts referrals for young people with various complex offending histories.

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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

This interim inspection has focused on the progress made by the home since their last full inspection in December 2011, where they were judged to be outstanding.

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Progress

Staff continue to identify well with the home’s aims and objectives and are proud to be associated with it. The relationship amongst the staff and young people remains mutually respectful. The accommodation and facilities afforded to young people continues to provide them with a safe, pleasant and stimulating environment, where they can choose to socialise, undertake leisure activities or engage in educational activities.

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Progress

The staff team remain alert to young people’s emotional and behavioural needs. This commitment enables young people to have the right level of support to form coping strategies to manage their own emotions without the need for physical intervention. Part of the home’s improvements since their last inspection has involved increasing their links with the local safeguarding team. This has extended to ensuring other professionals remain equally well informed about the home’s behavioural support policy and plans. This level of engagement has increased the home’s level of transparency in how they manage and support young people’s emotional and behavioural needs.

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Progress

Staff remain proactive in helping young people to acquire skills and knowledge through re-engaging in education, vocational training and in securing full time employment.

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Progress

Effective health care has been improved with closer monitoring being undertaken in the care of medicines. This has extended to the home bringing in improvements in the recording system, so that records show clearly that young people are receiving medication which has been prescribed by their doctor.

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Progress

The leadership team retain a strong focus on setting clear priorities, identified through highly effective self-evaluation. This gathered intelligence is actively used to continue to enhance the provision of care and outcomes for young people.

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Progress

The home’s ongoing commitment to improve has resulted in all previous shortfalls in national minimum standards being fully addressed.

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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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