Children's Home run by Cumbria County Council in Cumberland

Unique reference number SC034083 Inspection date 27/02/2012 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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.

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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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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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Brief description of the service

The home is run by the local authority and provides care and accommodation for up to six boys or girls aged between 12 and 17 years old. The home is registered to care for young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in November 2011, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be satisfactory.

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Progress

The home has made inadequate progress since the last inspection. Three requirements and nine recommendations were made at the last inspection. One requirement and two recommendations have not been fully met. However, young people remain well cared for and safe. They say they are happy and enjoy living at the home. Staff and young people were observed to have a warm, friendly relationship.

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Progress

One requirement made at the last inspection was to review the home's Statement of Purpose to clarify whether or not the home admits young people in an emergency. In addition, the Statement of Purpose did not fully describe the skills and experience of staff. The home's manager has undertaken this review and the document now clearly describes under what circumstances young people are admitted to the home as well as the qualifications, skills and experience of staff.

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Progress

Another requirement was to ensure that each young person has a clear, signed placement plan from their placing authority. The home's manager has ensured that these documents have been received and that each young person knows what their placement there is meant to achieve.

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Progress

The third requirement was to ensure that the independent visitor to the home interviewed in private, the family members or relatives of the young people living there. This has not taken place. These visits help to ensure the home is run properly but the opinions of family members about the care young people receive are not borne in mind.

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Progress

Five recommendations were made at the last inspection in relation to ensuring: placements of young people at the home are underpinned by an up-to-date assessment of their needs; the results of all statutory reviews are recorded on young people’s files; social workers visit young people at regular intervals, key workers monitor their placement plans and young people fully understand the content of their placement plan. All these recommendations have been met. Young people understand why they have been placed at the home, what their placement there is meant to achieve, how their changing needs are identified through the review process and how staff and social workers can help and support them.

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Progress

One recommendation was made in relation to the recording of any interventions used to help young people modify their behaviour. Recording systems did not routinely record the effectiveness of those interventions. A review of the documentation has taken place and all relevant detail is now recorded. Staff are able to see what measures are more successful than others in helping young people to modify their behaviour.

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Progress

A review of the home's Runaway and Missing from Home and Care Protocols has taken place. Staff know what action to take when a young person goes missing and how to keep them safe.

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Progress

A recommendation was made in relation to those young people who are eligible for a pathway plan. Pathway plans help to prepare young people for adulthood and to ensure they have all the help and services they need. Not all young people who are eligible for a pathway plan had one in place. Those that were in place lacked sufficient detail to show where the young person would be living and how they would be fully supported by their placing authority. Young people will not be supported to move successfully into adulthood.

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Progress

The final recommendation was that the home's manager should write a development plan for the home. This has not taken place. The home's manager and staff are unaware of the home's strengths and weaknesses.

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Progress

In addition to the above, the home has made other improvements. A programme of refurbishment is underway. Bathrooms have been updated and modernised. A refurbishment of the kitchen is scheduled to take place in the near future. The home has also appointed an administration assistant. The administration assistant has introduced several new recording and filing systems. This helps the home's manager and staff to locate information quickly and to ensure all essential recording is securely stored.

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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.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) Interview, with their consent and in private, such of the children accommodated there, their parents, relatives and 30/04/2012 persons working at the home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)

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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

 contribute to the development of each young person’s pathway plan and work collaboratively with the young person’s social worker or personal advisor in implementing the plan (NMS 12.2)  write a development plan for the future of the home. (NMS 15.2)

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