Children's Home run by Full Circle Care Limited in Tameside

Unique reference number SC396104 Inspection date 08/03/2012 Inspector Caroline Jones Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/10/2011 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 is a private home that provides care and accommodation for up to five young people of single gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home specialises in providing a therapeutic service for young people.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last full inspection the home's overall effectiveness was judged as good. This standard of service has been maintained and most of the recommendations have been addressed and implemented in practice. Trends and patterns are now analysed to identify improvements in practice and feedback is sought from significant individuals to promote continued development. Staff encourage young people's independence and they are able to take more risks and responsibility for their age and understanding. The children's guide has been reviewed, however further updating is required to ensure that young people have full information for independent advice.

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Progress

Young people continue to make progress in all aspects of their development, in particular to their education. Staff are committed to young people which is evident in the warm and positive relationships they have forged with them. Young people are encouraged to have their say in daily living, for example, through young people's meetings, independent visitors and key worker sessions. Regular work with a trained therapist assists young people in understanding their emotions and behaviours. These practices empower young people to have more control in their lives.

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Progress

Young people's safety and protection is paramount within the home's ethos and practice. A range of risk assessments are available to support this, although they are not robustly reviewed to reflect current working practices. Young people are closely supervised and have restrictions on the use of communications including the telephone. Although these measures are used to protect young people the home's policy does not demonstrate how their privacy will be protected and promoted. Moreover, the written consent from placing authorities and if appropriate young people's parents has not been gained. Young people behave very well; sanctions have reduced and physical interventions have not been used since the last inspection.

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Progress

Young people receive a very good standard of care from an experienced, competent staff team. Quality assurance arrangements are in place that include visits by a designated person in accordance with regulation. Although procedures are in place for monthly monitoring of the home, this has not been maintained and does not cover all the matters specified under Schedule 6. This has not impacted negatively upon young people's outcomes to date.

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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) ensure that monitoring includes all matters set out in Schedule 6 (Regulation 34 (1)(a)) 02/04/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that young people's placing authorities consent to the imposition of any restriction upon young people. (Regulation 15 (4)(7)(a)) 02/04/2012

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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 the children's guide sets out how young people can contact their Independent Reviewing Officer and independent advice, including the Children's Rights Director (NMS 13.5)  ensure that the Registered Manager regularly monitors, in line with regulations, all records kept by the home to secure compliance with the home's policies (NMS 21.2)  ensure that where specific measures are used to monitor young people, including restrictions on communications and 24 hour supervision, that there is a written policy that sets out how this promotes the welfare and privacy of young people and how they will be protected from potential abuse of such measures (NMS 10.5)  ensure that risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. (NMS 10.8)

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