Children's Home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC366107 Inspection date 01/03/2012 Inspector Julian Mason Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/12/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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

This home is operated by a private company which has several similar homes in this area of the country. Care and accommodation is provided for up to three young people. The company has its own school for children not attending mainstream education and also offers (if a child wishes) weekly therapy as part of the ongoing care.

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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 overall at the last full inspection in December 2011 and this grade remains in place. The home was judged as being fully compliant with the necessary regulations so no requirements were made. One good practice recommendation was suggested and this is in the process of being actioned in terms of updating organisational policy about the use of electronic surveillance within the home.

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Progress

Young people are positive about their experiences of living in the home and feel safe. They continue to make very good progress because of the effective care and support being provided by the Registered Manager and staff team. Currently, particular attention is paid to the support young people need to develop their life skills. Staff use the home's existing routines and arrangements to engage young people in areas that they need to learn about. Young people benefit from a staff approach that is practical and realistic. Free time away from the home is also encouraged through agreed plans that allow young people to take greater responsibility for their own time when they are with family or friends for example. Although risks are identified with these arrangements, staff work with young people in a way that helps build successful and responsible patterns of unsupervised time away from the home.

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Progress

Young people feel valued and receive excellent support from staff to help them through their education. Arrangements are well established with supportive routines that help with consistent attendance. Education is viewed positively and staff know what they need to do for each young person to ensure the right help is provided. The Registered Manager strongly advocates for each young person to ensure they are not disadvantaged and have access to the right learning opportunities that suits individual needs.

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Progress

Staff knowledge and awareness about each young person's needs is excellent. This is because staff get to know young people well and learn about their backgrounds and histories. In addition, young people are encouraged to share their views and opinions about their care and this helps to shape how staff work with them. Consequently, young people are provided with a caring and supportive environment where differences are understood and where everyone is treated fairly and with equal concern.

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Progress

Young people are provided with a safe and comfortable home which is domestic in style and layout. The location of the property provides young people with a degree of privacy because it is set back from the main road and has its own front and rear gardens. The accommodation is maintained to a very good standard and it is kept clean and tidy. As a result of young people’s feedback, some recent decoration has further improved the internal environment and new furnishings have added to the home’s comfort. Young people are provided with individual bedrooms, which are suitably maintained and personalised to their own tastes. Young people have access to very good levels of communal space, which gives them choices regarding their recreational and leisure time.

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Progress

The service continues to have an effective cycle of quality assurance activities that produces a detailed range of information about the home's operation. This includes regular monitoring visits from an organisational representative as well as internal audits across the range of the home’s functions. The Registered Manager is well informed about the home's successes and areas for potential development.

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