Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC039683 Inspection date 27/03/2012 Inspector Stella Lovie Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype

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Date of last inspection 21/12/2011 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 can accommodate a maximum of six young people of either gender with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority and only considers referrals from that 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

The home was judged to be outstanding in the full inspection in December 2011. There were no requirements made. There were three recommendations made, all of which have been met at the point of this interim inspection.

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Progress

Young people continue to enjoy an exceptional quality of care delivered by a highly skilled and dedicated staff team. One example of this is that young people have been enabled by the home to confront some very difficult past experiences through sensitive and caring life story work. This involved visiting significant places and people from their early childhood. It has had very positive results in terms of young people's behaviour and willingness to make relationships with staff.

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Progress

All of the staff have now either achieved their level three qualification or are working towards it. This means that young people's care is enhanced by workers who are up to date with professional and legal developments in the field of residential childcare. The whole staff team commitment to the social pedagogic approach remains one of the particular strengths of this home. Some of the young people have attended associated residential training and are planning to develop their learning further with a visit to children's homes in Denmark later this year. This is giving the young people the opportunity to acquire new perspectives on life in care and to develop greater self-confidence as ambassadors for their home.

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Progress

Young people are benefitting from significant investment in the furnishings and decoration of the home. All the bedrooms and communal areas are being re- carpeted. This is making the home environment even more welcoming and warm in appearance.

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Progress

Young people continue to make good progress in their social and emotional development. For example, one relative comments that: 'they have done a great job with (name) and he's turning into a lovely young man.' Most of the young people have improved attendance at their educational placements. This means that they will have better opportunities for employment in the future.

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Progress

Good use is still being made of external specialist agencies to support young people's particular individual needs. One such professional commented that she was 'impressed with (name's) attitude to Warwick Avenue. Even at the height of their temper, they just said that they wanted to go to the home, and that they loved the structure of the home.'

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Progress

That external agency input extends to provision of regular monthly support to the staff in their team meetings. This enables staff to reflect constructively on their practice. It also has a positive impact for the young people as staff consequently feel more motivated and energised in their work. The Registered Manager continues to provide strong leadership and vision. She is effectively managing the changes caused by the wider context of home closures and job uncertainties in the local authority. She successfully employs a wide range of strategies to enhance staff well-being. As a result, young people are protected from the potential negative aspects of those changes. Staff remain enthusiastic and proud of the work they do with the young people.

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Progress

Overall, the home is able to demonstrate continuing improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. As a result, it is making good progress. There are no identified areas for improvement from this interim inspection.

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