Children's Home run by Horizon Care Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC062406 Inspection date 08/03/2012 Inspector Rachel Ruth Britten Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 28/09/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

Brief description of the service

This children's home is operated by a private company. It is located in a rural area on the outskirts of a large town and accommodates up to three young people. The home specialises in offering a service for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties who are placing themselves or others at risk of harm. Both emergency and planned placements are permitted.

p.4

Progress

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

p.4

Progress

The home has maintained excellent standards of care but has made only adequate progress since the last inspection. There have recently been staff changes of deputy manager and senior, both of whom have integrated into the setting quickly. There has therefore been no dip in the quality of care being offered to young people. Young people continue to achieve very good outcomes. However, one of the two recommendations that were raised following the last inspection has not been completed fully and the other has not been addressed. The manager has prompted the organisation to act on these as appropriate, but to date this has not been effective. As a result, recorded evidence of vetting procedures does not meet all of the national minimum standards and the children's guide still lacks required information for young people about how to contact Ofsted by telephone. There are also three new recommendations made following this inspection.

p.4

Progress

The manager continues to lead the home with a very 'hands on' approach to young people and they continue to respond well to him. The daily care of young people is well planned and executed because staff work very consistently together. They ensure that handovers between shifts are very robust and that daily records for each young person are kept up to date and referred to by all staff. Staff also confer, consider and plan for eventualities as well as spending time debriefing and learning from incidents that go less well. Formal and informal supervision is good and enables staff to work effectively. However, staff group meetings and annual appraisals do not all happen at the planned or required frequency. Whilst this does not appear to reduce staff morale or the quality of work with young people, it has the potential to do so if it persists.

p.4

Progress

The home has considered a number of potential new placements since the last inspection. It exercises careful impact risk assessments to ensure that the stability of young people who are here on long term placements is not jeopardised. As a result, the young people who are placed are settled and progressing well. In addition, the home continues to be monitored well and the manager uses information from inspections and Regulation 33 visits thoroughly. He is diligent in ensuring that Ofsted receive all notifications and reviews of monitoring systems as appropriate. He also chases up with his own organisation any aspects which need addressing centrally. However, due to a number of mitigating circumstances, he has still not completed a qualification in management to at least level 4. This shortfall does not adversely affect young people.

p.4

Progress

Young people are safeguarded well overall and are making progress with their behaviour and social/educational integration. They benefit from active, appropriate lifestyles, hobbies and social experiences, such as those provided by good substitute parents. Young people are helped to maintain appropriate relationships with friends and family members and learn appropriate independence skills. Staff manage potentially violent behaviour with appropriate methods to de-escalate confrontations and avoid the use of physical restraint. Where there has been restraint, young people and staff are given good opportunities to discuss the feelings arising. The records kept are accurate and evaluative. Furthermore, young people are usually encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home. However, evidence is not available to show that young people are always given the opportunity to be examined by a registered nurse or medical practitioner following a restraint.

p.5

Progress

This is a right for young people that is stated in the national minimum standards.

p.5

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.

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children's guide to the home includes the telephone number of the Regulator, Ofsted. (Regulation 4 (3)(c)) 09/03/2012

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that children are always given the opportunity to be examined by a registered nurse or medical practitioner where there has been physical restraint (NMS 3.16)  ensure that the Registered Manager obtains a relevant management qualification within three years of their appointment (NMS 14.3)  ensure that the home's record of the recruitment and vetting checks specifically includes the level of the Criminal Records Bureau disclosure and the outcome of it. Also ensure that the recruitment system shows effectively how recruitment decisions have been reached, in particular, how any concerns about suitability, including criminal convictions, have been reached (NMS 16.3.(b) and NMS 16.5)  ensure that all staff have their performance individually and formally appraised at least annually and this appraisal takes into account any views of children the service is providing for. (NMS 19.6)

p.5