Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire East

Unique reference number SC060590 Inspection date 29/03/2012 Inspector Monica Farrimond Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/10/2011 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, run by a company, is registered to accommodate three young people, of either sex between the ages of eight and 17 years. The home is registered for 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 full inspection, in October 2011, the home was judged to be outstanding. There is children's continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people. The young people benefit from sound, consistent practice, underpinned by thorough comprehensive placement plans. Young people benefit from well-planned, individualised care and the placement plans ensure that they are cared for consistently in line with their identified needs.

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Progress

Staff work together with education colleagues to ensure a robust network of support and protection, to guide young people in achieving their potential. Young people are confident to raise their views and staff advocate for young people to ensure that they gain the advice and support they need. The manager and staff place a strong emphasis on providing high standards of individualised child care practices, in all areas of development. These include emotional, physical, social and educational development and promotes continuous improvement.

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Progress

Young people are consulted about important events in their lives, promoting self- esteem and building a knowledge base of their rights. For example, young people's meetings are held regularly and each young person has a key worker who they can talk to about their worries. The home has developed the key working role, evidencing outcomes, and making it more user friendly; young people and staff can see how needs are being met, and what needs to be done and by whom, to meet the needs.

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Progress

The home is efficiently managed and effective in meeting its Statement of Purpose. A clear vision of child-focused practice is prevalent within the home's culture. The Registered Manager works directly with young people and staff to monitor young people's welfare, which ensures the very good standards of care and the safety of young people. There are other systems in place to monitor the quality of care, including monthly visits by a designated person. The home's development plan corresponds with action points raised by external monitoring. The Registered Manager provides good leadership and accountability, and ensures staff fully understand the roles and responsibilities delegated to them. The children's guide is accessible to young people. Staff confirm that they are very well supported and the organisation demonstrates a commitment to professional development. All existing staff have attained the required qualification and any new staff start work on gaining

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Progress

the qualification once they complete their period of probation. Regular quality supervision, team meetings and training opportunities all contribute to the competence of the staff in providing quality care to young people.

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Progress

There were two recommendations made following the last inspection. These related to relevant, up to date records being kept on file concerning young people's education, and gaining the views of parents and other appropriate people about the standard of care provided by the home. Relevant documents relating to young people's education are now to be found on young people's files, but the issue relating to consultation with parents and other appropriate people about the standard of care provided by the home, has not been fully addressed and is therefore re-iterated in this report.

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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 visits carried out under Regulation 33 include all relevant checks as set out in regulation, specifically secure the views of parents and others to help inform the standard of care provided at the home. (NMS 21.7)

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