Children's Home run by Blackpool Borough Council in Blackpool

Unique reference number SC033611 Inspection date 02/03/2012 Inspector Elaine Clare Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/10/2011 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 children’s home is operated by a local authority. It provides a short break care service for 10 children and young people aged between five years and 17 years.

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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 full inspection in October 2011, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as satisfactory with two requirements and three recommendations set within the inspection report. These have been met and no further requirements or recommendations have been made as a result of this visit.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team have demonstrated a continued improvement in quality of care and positive outcomes for young people. These include young people continuing to progress, develop and achieve individual goals through their short break experiences. Managers are evaluating, embedding and enhancing the current level of service. They are successfully addressing recommendations and making progress with the risk management plans. There has been a clear improvement in the Statement of Purpose which outlines the work undertaken by staff on outreach. The home continues to work very well to ensure young people develop and maintain positive relationships with their family and peers.

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Progress

There are established links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and staff are fully aware of their reporting duties under safeguarding. Although sanctions and physical restraints are seldom used, all staff have been trained in approved techniques and are made aware of the service provider’s updated guidance on the thresholds applicable to physical interventions.

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Progress

Children and young people benefit from tailored individual placement plans. Placement plans are discussed with individual key workers during supervision and any areas requiring improvement are picked up quickly and addressed. Developments in the area of non-verbal communication systems across the service have enabled young people's views to be ascertained more clearly. Their views are regularly sought before service review and taken into account in terms of future planning. The home recently put in a bid for a log cabin and young people were involved in the making of a DVD in order for their views on the suggestion to be heard.

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Progress

Children and young people enjoy positive relationships with staff and each other. These constructive relationships influence engagement levels with the home across all areas. There are high levels of one-to-one work with all of the young people during which each can contribute, make choices and influence the way the home functions. Parents have commented positively in various ways about their experiences of the service and have confidence in the staff and managers of the service. The rapport between staff, managers and young people is warm, caring and respectful. Managers have the welfare of young people and staff at heart and encourage them all to reach high achievement levels. Staff are genuinely enthusiastic about their care of young people and there is a commitment to providing a high quality service. This is embedded throughout the home, creating a very safe and reassuring environment whereby young people develop and achieve positive

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