Children's Home run by Appletree Treatment Centre Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC032838 Inspection date 06/03/2012 Inspector Gillian Walters Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 14/12/2011 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 is a privately-owned residential special school, which is also registered as a children’s home. It provides a service to eight children, between the ages of six and 12 years, who experience emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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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 last full inspection, the home was judged as good. There were two requirements and one recommendation made. All have been suitably addressed. The home’s Statement of Purpose and children’s guide have been revised and updated to reflect changes in legislation; comprehensive records are in place that document the use of any measure of control, discipline or restraint and improvements have been made in seeking and recording children’s views. Staff are striving to develop new ways of consulting with children, enabling their greater participation in decision making within the home. This means that children know their views are valued and they can clearly identify when their contributions have been acted on.

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Progress

Children are positively engaged with education, benefiting from having their school on site. Excellent attendance has been maintained and progress in their learning and development has been acknowledged. Care staff and teaching staff maintain good communication, ensuring that children have a good continuity of care and learning. Children are encouraged by staff to further develop and improve their skills. One example of this is the recent implementation of a quiet reading half-hour before bedtime. Children say that they enjoy this and regular trips made to the library for books.

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Progress

The home is in good repair, child-friendly and well-maintained. A recent local authority visitor to the home reported that it ‘felt warm and friendly throughout, and the environment was extremely nurturing and showed lots of examples of celebrating the children’s achievements and success.’ Children are encouraged to contribute their ideas for improving their living arrangements and are able to identify positive changes that have occurred in response to their expressed choices. This contributes to the overall feeling of harmony that exists within the home.

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Progress

Children feel safe in this home and able to identify staff that can help them if they have a concern. Children share good relationships with staff and enjoy group activities as well as regular one-to-one time with staff. Children are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and outings. Plans are in place to involve children in other activities such as a gardening club and hill walking and climbing. This will provide new experiences and enable them further opportunities to develop their skills and self-esteem. Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has revised and implemented a new staff rota to address some changes with staff availability. This has improved planning for staff cover within the home, providing positive benefits for a number of staff and improving staff morale. Staff report that the team is currently working well together and have good support from their Registered Manager and the organisation.

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Progress

Staff continue to benefit from a rolling programme of training that supports their work with children.

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Progress

The Registered Manager is currently involved in developing further systems to track and monitor children’s individual progress and outcomes, also identifying trends and patterns of behaviour. The systems proposed will inform and improve children’s individual planning and review processes. The Registered Manager maintains regular monitoring of the home; this is supported by regular independent monitoring visits by the registered provider. However, she has not yet been able to successfully report to Ofsted, within the required timescale, on trends and issues identified as a result of this monitoring activity. The Registered Manager aims to achieve this with the implementation and support of new reporting systems.

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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

 ensure that, in relation to Regulation 34, a copy of the monitoring report is completed at six-monthly intervals, sent to Ofsted within 28 days of its completion and identifies any trends and issues of concern arising from monitoring of matters set out in Schedule 6. (Volume 5, 3.14)

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