Children's Home run by Evolution Children Services Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Unique reference number SC382595 Inspection date 22/03/2012 Inspector Steve Pearson 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 children's home is registered to care for up to five young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The registered provider of the home is a limited company.

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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 previous inspection, Ofsted rated the overall effectiveness of the home to be good and made two requirements. These have now been met. The arrangements for administration of medication are now safer because children do not need to take prescribed medication with them when they go to and from home. Educational arrangements are also improved, because the staff who provide any tuition to young people in the children's home are now appropriately qualified.

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Progress

The registered manager and staff continue to provide good quality care. All young people spoken with said 'I am happy about how the staff look after me'.

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Progress

All young people have educational arrangements in place and attendance is generally good. Some educational provision is only part time and the manager and staff maintain pressure on the local authority to provide full-time education. Attendance for some young people is particularly good, given the challenging transport arrangements.

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Progress

The home has its own quality assurance arrangements in place. In compliance with legislation, an external visitor calls at the home once a month to assess the quality of care. However the potential of this monitoring is limited because the visitor does not seek the views of young people's parents or relatives. They also do not assess how well children are being enabled to enjoy life, how well they are doing in education, or how effective the manager and staff are in managing children's behaviour.

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Progress

The registered manager also assesses the quality of care on a monthly basis. They assess the full range of issues required by legislation, they seek the views of young people, parents and placing authorities. They also monitor month-by-month trends in important issues such as the frequency of sanctions, restraints, occasions when young people go missing and school or college attendance.

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Progress

The registered manager is not yet qualified to at least level four in management, but they are currently studying for this. The qualification is important because it provides for the development of skills and knowledge necessary for the position.

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Progress

The manager and staff enable young people to have a say in how the home is run. They hold a young people's meeting every two weeks. This takes place just before a staff meeting, so that issues arising can be discussed by the staff team.

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Progress

Suitable health arrangements are in place and some young people have made good progress since the previous inspection.

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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, as appears necessary, the person conducting the external visits interviews, with their consent and in private, the children's parents and relatives in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. (Regulation 33(4)(a)) 01/05/2012

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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 registered manager obtains a qualification in management at least at level 4 within 3 years of their appointment. This means by 18 May 2014 (NMS 14.3)  ensure that the external monthly visitor evaluates how the home is supporting children to enjoy and achieve (promotion of leisure and education) and whether there is an effective approach to behaviour management. (Volume 5, statutory guidance, para 3.12)

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