Children's Home run by Choices 4 Children Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC400880 Inspection date 26/03/2012 Inspector Caroline Jones Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 27/06/2011 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

This is a private children's home that provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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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 full inspection the home's overall effectiveness was judged as good. The outcomes for young people remain strong and the quality of care is maintained. A good start has been made on addressing the recommendations from the last inspection. Young people are fully informed about how to contact the Children's Rights Director for independent advice and sanctions are reviewed for their effectiveness. However, management patterns and trends analysis is not fully developed to improve practice further, therefore this recommendation is repeated.

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Progress

Young people continue to make progress across all aspects of their development. Staff promote young people's education and they are moving forward and achieving their potential. They enjoy good health and a healthy lifestyle. Young people are encouraged to take pride in their personal care and exercise regularly through outdoor activities and play. They participate in local youth and drama clubs to encourage their confidence and skills. Staff promote young people's rights and have made efforts to secure independent advocates to assist young people in providing their views. However, this has not been achieved and young people are awaiting decisions from the placing authorities.

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Progress

Young people are supported to develop positive behaviour through the excellent relationships with staff and the emphasis upon reward and praise. There are few incidents of restraints and staff are clear that this is only used as a very last resort. These practices encourage stability with young people. Written records are available to provide details of any restraint, however they do not always show that young people have been offered the opportunity to be medically examined.

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Progress

Young people receive a good standard of care from an experienced, competent and stable staff team. The home is efficiently managed and operating in accordance with the Statement of Purpose. While monitoring scrutinises the quality of care there are some gaps in the Regulation 33 visits as they do not routinely examine incidents of young people missing from home. Managers promote staff development and progress in providing quality care to young people. Staff have received further training and confirm that they enjoy their work.

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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 young people are assisted to obtain support of an independent advocate to help them in providing their views and wishes in decisions about them (NMS 25.7)  ensure that monitoring utilises the information on emerging patterns or trends to improve practice (NMS 21.2)  ensure that visits to the home carried out under Regulation 33 include relevant checks of missing person's reports (NMS 21.7)  ensure that young people are given the opportunity to be medically examined following physical restraint. (NMS 3.16)

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