Children's Home run by Coventry City Council in Coventry

Unique reference number SC414347 Inspection date 12/03/2012 Inspector Elizabeth Barrett Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/12/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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.

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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 provides up to a 12-week short-term placement for up to five young people. The service is operated by the local authority.

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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 in December 2011, the overall quality rating for this service was judged as satisfactory, with five requirements and two recommendations identified for areas of improvement. This service has demonstrated a good capacity for improvement by meeting all the requirements and recommendations set at the last inspection.

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Progress

This service demonstrates a commitment to delivering good standards of individualised care and support. Care planning arrangements are strong and well organised, with young people motivated to make choices and to progress their transitional preferences. Placement at this home is on a short-term basis with young people returning successfully to their families, foster care or specialised residential placements. Young people say they are happy with the care that they receive and their relationships with staff are good. Positive outcomes for young people at this service are included in their individual 'listen to me workbooks', which incorporate young people’s views, wishes, and wants on their life choices, relationships, education and care experiences. Young people are encouraged to collate images and comments that can assist in informing their transitional and future care planning arrangements. One young person spoken to commented that ‘Staff are really brilliant

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Progress

and have helped me a lot with my behaviour, I’m going home soon and I’m sad to be leaving the place.’

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Progress

A requirement was set at the last inspection in relation to the availability in the home of placement plans for all young people. At this visit, young people residing at the home have up to date placement plans, agreed and signed by the local authority as meeting all care-planning requirements. Additionally, the home's manager is liaising with the local authority, to review and revise the services internal care plans, to improve the efficiency of day-to-day care and support responsibilities.

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Progress

The management team have implemented improvements to the internal monitoring procedures within the home, ensuring all records are completed and signed within agreed timescales. Records seen at this visit include those of incident and restraint reports, and indicate appropriate recordings and responses made, including discussion and feedback from young people. Since the last inspection, the home has re-introduced the use of a visitor’s book to record all visitor's to the home, the purpose of those visits, and a record of the times of the visit. Training records seen indicate that all staff have recently received fire safety training, and refresher training in the home's general safety and fire precautions guidance and protocols. The home's Regulation 34 monthly monitoring system, is effective and in line with policies and procedures. Action plans highlight any improvements required to the quality of care, and Regulation 33 visitor reports confirm the progress made in

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Progress

addressing these plans. However, some minor shortfalls in the signing and dating of records are seen at this visit.

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Progress

This service has improved and developed systems for regular consultations with young people, parents, and other stakeholders. Managers hold monthly consultation meetings with young people and records of these meetings inform practice development and are included in the home's improvement plan. Young people's meeting minutes highlight regular feedback with the home's management, with any actions and responses recorded. Feedback sheets completed by parents and social workers, comment positively on this service and reflect the home’s continuous improvement.

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Progress

Observations and discussions with young people at this visit indicate warm and considered relationships between staff and young people. These relationships ensure young people are safe and secure, and receive care and support from a staff team committed to delivering good quality care and outcomes for young people. The ‘good times’ at the home document highlights positive achievements and attainment by young people through organised activities and events. Examples of such activities are building confidence through music and karaoke, and learning and achievement through arts and crafts. Vibrant photographs and individual comments create a visual record of individual and collective achievements.

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Progress

Leadership and management at this home are effective and consistent. Since the last inspection, the home’s manager has provided staff with opportunities to reflect and evaluate the home's current level of service, and to progress the present service improvement plan. The recently appointed management team are developing strong and well-organised working relationships. Staff report that the manager is working positively in improving the quality of care at the home. Staff are motivated and taking more responsibility and accountability for their practices. Staff recognise that they are working and developing together, and are confident that these improvements will continue.

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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 the home's manager regularly monitors in line with regulations all records kept by the home, to ensure all records are signed and dated in a timely manner. (NMS 21.2)

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