Children's Home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Nottinghamshire

Unique reference number SC390190 Inspection date 26/03/2012 Inspector Julian Mason Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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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 privately operated children's home. The home can accommodate up to three young people. The home is registered to accommodate children who may display emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress.

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Progress

The home had a full inspection in November 2011 and twelve statutory requirements were made at this inspection, all of which have been addressed. Areas indentified for improvement related to: written information about the home; the welfare of young people; independent access to a telephone; ending the use of prohibited sanctions; record keeping of restraints and sanctions; also, the arrangements for education; how the home is staffed and related support, training and supervision; notifications of significant events and consultation with stakeholders about the overall operation of the home. One good practice recommendation was also made, which has been partly met and was related to children’s rights and advocacy.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has updated sections of the Statement of Purpose to outline general staffing information and details. Young people now have access to a telephone that they can use in private and without first referring to staff in the home.

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Progress

Staff are trained in how to manage young people’s behaviour safely which includes a focus on promoting boundaries that are fair and socially acceptable. Young people state that staff are fair when dealing with unacceptable behaviour. Where formal sanctions or physical interventions are used, records are completed that reflect the necessary information required to assess and evaluate the appropriateness of the intervention. Sanctions are proportionate to the circumstances and no longer include measures that are prohibited.

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Progress

Young people are engaged in a range of full and part-time educational programmes, which includes a mix of education providers and settings. Staff promote the value of learning and work with a range of other professionals to progress attendance and achievement. As young people get older and their needs and educational preferences change, staff work with them to help explore their best available options. Young people are positive about the help and support they receive from staff.

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Progress

Young people are provided with a range of information that tells them about different advocacy services and how to access them. In addition, several young people have the opportunity to access an independent advocate who visits the home regularly. However, information is still not available to young people about how to contact the national Children’s Rights Director.

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Progress

The home is led by an experienced Registered Manager who is now being supported by a newly appointed part-time assistant manager. The staff team has completed a programme of induction training and where necessary refresher training is provided. This is to ensure individual skills and knowledge are maintained in key practice areas such as behaviour management and safeguarding. In addition, ongoing training and development opportunities are programmed to match the developmental needs of the team and the group of young people accommodated. Not all staff have a level 3 qualification but organisational arrangements are in place to enrol unqualified members of the team into a relevant qualification programme. Staff feel supported in their day-to-day work with young people; they can access support and guidance from managers when they need to and this arrangement is enhanced by more formal meetings with their supervisors to talk about their work.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has systems in place to notify the regulator and other bodies about significant events that occur in the home. This is so that important information is shared with lead agencies regarding the safety and welfare of young people.

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Progress

There are systems and processes in place to monitor the operation of the home and outcomes for young people. The manager monitors key areas of the service to determine how well the home is operating. However, the written reports do not reflect any consultations undertaken with young people, their parents and placing authorities. It is difficult to establish how feedback from these groups is consistently influencing or shaping the operation of the home. In addition, monitoring visits are undertaken by a representative of the organisation but the regulator is not consistently receiving a copy of these reports as required. This means that the provider is not always sharing information with the regulatory body responsible for the service's continued registration.

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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 the registered provider supplies a copy of the report of any visit carried out under this regulation to Ofsted. (Regulation 33(5)(a)) 30/04/2012

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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 young people know how to contact the Children's Rights Director (NMS 1.5)  monitor Schedule 6 matters, identify trends and issues of concern and consult with children, placing authorities and families to improve the quality of care. It will be good practice for these reports to be completed at six monthly intervals and a copy of every report should be sent to HMCI within 28 days of completion. (Volume 5, statutory guidance paragraph 3.14)

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