Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Unique reference number SC032083 Inspection date 15/03/2012 Inspector Pamela Nuckley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/11/2011 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 accommodates two young people with 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 inspection in November 2011, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as outstanding. There were no actions or recommendations made at that inspection. Young people continue to live in a safe, caring and supportive home environment that enables them to make good progress in all aspects of their lives. Young people feel safe and happy in the home.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team have demonstrated a continued improvement in quality of care and positive outcomes for young people. There is a clear and focused commitment to service development. This has included managers evaluating, embedding and enhancing the current level of service; and progressing the internal service development plan. This has resulted in improved outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Young people are looked after by a very competent staff group who are skilled and experienced. Staff use their detailed knowledge of the individual young people they work with to ensure that each young person’s needs are met. As a result, young people receive high quality care and support which is based on their individual identified needs. Young people are supported to aspire to achieve their full potential. Staff encourage young people to take appropriate responsibility for their actions and the decisions that they make, appropriate to their age and level of understanding. Young people can reflect on how the staff team have supported them to develop life skills, behave more appropriately and build self-confidence.

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Progress

Young people confirm that they 'feel safe' and that they feel that they would be able to talk to staff if they were worried or anxious. The culture and practice within the home promotes individual identity, difference and equality. An area of excellence at this home is in the retaining of memorabilia for young people and the gathering of information of their background. This will ensure that young people understand their culture, reasons for the placement and have memories of their time spent here. Young people have a positive view of the care that they receive and say that their relationships with staff are very good. These constructive relationships have significantly influenced the young people's engagement levels within the home across all areas. There are extremely high levels of one-to-one work with all of the young people to seek their views and feedback, as well as frequent children's meetings.

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Progress

Staff continue to benefit from regular supervision where time is allocated for the staff to reflect on their own practice and identify ways that they can improve the quality of care given to young people. Staff meetings are regular and constructive. There are group opportunities to discuss the needs of the young people. The manager uses these meetings in a productive way by sharing articles and research that he has obtain from internet sources. The regular attendance of therapists at staff meetings has enhanced problem solving and the sharing of information. This promotes continuous improvement for young people's care.

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Progress

The rapport between staff, managers and young people is warm, caring and respectful. Managers have the welfare of young people and staff at heart and encourage them each to high achievement. Staff are genuinely enthusiastic about their care of young people and there is a commitment to providing a high quality service. This is embedded throughout the home creating a very safe and reassuring environment whereby young people develop and achieve positive outcomes.

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Progress

The home is effectively managed. The manager places a strong emphasis on providing a high standard of childcare practice and continuous improvement and development. The manager has a clear and realistic understanding of the strengths of the service and the areas for further development based on clear evidence. The provider’s monitoring visits take place every month and copies of the reports from the visits are being supplied to Ofsted. The manager reviews the quality of care provided and completes a detailed report of findings every month.

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