Children's Home run by Cove Care – Residential Limited in Worcestershire

Unique reference number SC403789 Inspection date 07/03/2012 Inspector Martha Nethaway Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/09/2011 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

The home, run by a private company, offers placements for up to three young people. Young people may have a combination of mental health, psychological, emotional or complex care needs that present challenging behaviour. The service is designed to offer medium to long-term care placements but can, on exception, accept emergency placements. The home’s programme of care incorporates a structured balance of education, recreation and therapeutic interventions tailored to meet individual needs.

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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 inspection in September 2011 the overall quality rating for this home was judged as good. Action has been taken to address the one recommendation. The home has a new development plan in place which is being regularly reviewed. This enhances everyone’s participation in the home.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, some young people have moved onto other placements which were part of their initial plan of care. These moves have been well supported by the management team and staff. New admissions to the home have been carefully planned and supported. The outcomes for young people are that admissions and departures are all planned to maximise more positive outcomes.

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Progress

Young people who are focusing on their independence are making good progress. This is underpinned by a clear pathway plan which carefully sets out the practical life skills, of education, training, employment and financial support. One young person commented, ‘I am now working in construction and I enjoy receiving my weekly wage.’

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Progress

Young people with complex care needs are being provided with effective support. This includes close staff supervision and the proper assessment of risk. Young people are benefiting because the underlying factors with their behaviours are being supported. As a result, young people’s social needs are being met.

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Progress

Young people’s educational needs are being supported. One young person commented, ‘I had missed a lot of my formal education. I am now back at school, attending regularly and getting one-to-one tuition to help me catch up.’ Where young people struggle and have difficulties with education the home is proactive in securing appropriate alternative educational provision.

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Progress

The home uses informal and formal consultation to good affect. A central core ethos of the home is to involve young people in day-to-day decision making. Young people’s meetings are taking place regularly. They have positively influenced the choice of food on the menus and planning and choosing activities. The outcome for young people is that they are being successfully engaged while living in the home.

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Progress

Good systems are in place for monitoring and reviewing the performance of the home. The management team have a very accurate judgment of the strengths and areas for development in the home. All aspects of young people’s welfare and well- being are given priorities and this is helping to improve outcomes.

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