Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Wolverhampton

Unique reference number SC390576 Inspection date 01/05/2012 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/02/2012 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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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people, of either gender with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private organisation.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Adequate : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people living at this home experience a good service. Effective management and staff teams provide well organised quality of care. Social workers and other allied professionals comment on how the service provides a consistent quality of care for young people. Young people are valued and develop within this service. Safeguarding practices are sound and young people learn how to keep themselves safe. The home provides clear individualised, well-planned care taking into account the diverse needs of young people and overall promotes positive outcomes.

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Overall effectiveness

Equality and diversity are areas which the home and the staff promote both on behalf of the young people and also in educating young people. The staff advocate on behalf of the young people and ensure that they access the same opportunities as their peers. The home do not tolerate any form of discrimination and positively challenge behaviours or opinions which are discriminatory in any way.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are encouraged to be involved in planning and reviewing their care. They participate in the running of the home and developing the service. Young people receive practical support and guidance to attend school and college. They are encouraged to participate in a range of activities. Young people have their health promoted and are taught how to keep themselves healthy. Young people receive support from an enthusiastic and committed staff team. Relationships between young people and staff are good and young people are positive about the home, staff, manager and quality of care.

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Overall effectiveness

Managers and staff undertake rigorous monitoring and are motivated for continued improvements. There is one requirement and four recommendations as a result of this 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 children are provided with a telephone on which to make and receive calls in private. (Regulation 15 (4)(a)) 31/05/2012

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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 children have access to independent advice and support from adults who they can contact directly and in private about problems or concerns, which is appropriate to their age and understanding (NMS 1.5)  ensure a written or electronic record is kept by the home detailing the time and date and length of each supervision held for each member of staff, including the registered person. The record is signed by the supervisor and the member of staff at the end of the supervision (NMS 19.5)  ensure children take part in age appropriate peer activities as agreed by the home’s staff in a way similar to how a reasonable parent might reach agreement with their children, taking into account the framework of the placement plan decision-making and any assessment of risk to the child (NMS 7.5)  ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated, with particular regard to the timely repair of evidence

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people at this home develop because positive and purposeful opportunities to participate and reach their full potential are central to their care. Young people have comprehensive case files which detail all areas of placement planning and are inclusive of the young person’s views. Areas of risk assessment and behaviour management are individualised, including contributions from the young person. Inclusion in placement planning and evidence of their progress inspires increased confidence in the young people and motivates them further.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from contact with family and friends as appropriate. The care planning ensures that partnership working with external agencies is fully utilised. This provision of specialist advice and guidance enables young people to access a range of resources and better understand their circumstances. The staff team work with young people to assist them to understand their family dynamics and relationships.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and are encouraged to be involved in their assessment of health needs. Relevant health professionals are available and involved as appropriate. Young people enjoy improved outcomes in health. The home promotes a healthy and nutritious diet and educates young people on the benefits of physical exercise and activities. The individual health needs of young people are met because there is good and effective consultation with young people, professionals, parents and families.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's attendance at school and college improves upon admission to the home. The staff team effectively encourage young people to engage with education and that education providers and young people receive appropriate support. A school spokesperson commented on one young person and said ‘Solid progress has been made since admission; the home provides high levels of support and communicate well with the school.’ The home ensures that educational needs are met according to the young person’s individual needs. They provide private tuition if needed, with a view to integration into mainstream school. They also utilise services which meet the needs of young people who are no longer in school and require vocational training and independence training. Young people enjoy improved engagement in their education because the service liaises well with education providers.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people receive support and encouragement to develop independence skills to prepare them for adult life. Young people undertake a range of activities to prepare them for independent living. These include acquiring skills in domestic tasks, transition to higher education and/or training and seeking employment. The acquisition of such life skills provides young people with improved outcomes to live independently. The staff team contribute to the transition process by facilitating communication with the relevant services. The team attend leaving care reviews and support the young person throughout the transition process. Staff remain in regular contact with young people who have moved on from the home and have made a successful transition to adulthood.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people’s individuality is valued and their identity needs met. The staff team are skilled and knowledgeable in working with young people from a wide range of backgrounds. The care planning and the provision of care fully integrate individual needs. Young people engage with agencies to meet individual needs and thereby ensure that their individual identity needs are met.

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Quality of care

Staff promote a nurturing environment for young people to develop and live in. The positive relationships and effective day-to-day organisation of the home demonstrate consistent concern with the welfare, education and progress of young people.

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Quality of care

The participation of young people in the running of their home is a routine element of its functioning. Young people meet regularly to contribute ideas to improve care provision. All young people are involved in the day-to-day running of the home through the residents meetings and within daily routines. The home has a suggestion box to enable young people to express their view at any time. This builds their confidence and increases their participation in their own care.

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Quality of care

Young people receive a children’s guide which contains information on their care, advocacy, contacts and the details for Ofsted. Young people expressed that they know how to make a complaint to staff. The complaints procedure is on the notice board in an appropriate format. However, young people do not have access to their own telephone to make private calls and this compromises their ability to express any concerns they may have independently of the staff team.

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Quality of care

Young people receive care from a staff team who are knowledgeable and resilient in working with challenging behaviours. There are effective frameworks for care, education support and behaviour management. Young people make positive progression because staff consistently develop meaningful and respectful relationships. Young people’s behaviours improve due to staff implementing clear expectations and boundaries.

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Quality of care

A social worker expressed ‘The main strengths of the home are the staff and management team sustaining placements; they are very caring, go the 'extra mile' and 'I would love to have more young people in there!’

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Quality of care

Care planning, risk assessments and behaviour management plans are comprehensive. Young people receive consistent care because their care planning is clear and detailed. This provides staff with clarity to enable effective support to young people. Written plans reflect the individuality and diversity of each child and young person. There is a clear commitment to promoting equality and diversity, which ensures the promotion of young people’s individual needs.

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Quality of care

Young people receive a service which focuses on their social, emotional and psychological health needs. The management and staff team have a good knowledge of services available to young people within the community. They act as advocates for young people in relation to accessing a range of services and promote a variety of opportunities for young people. Staffing levels ensure young people have effective transport and support to enjoy a wide variety of new experiences.

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Quality of care

Young people do not consistently engage with social activities either within or outside of the home. Young people are encouraged to identify activities to engage with, however, young people can be reluctant to engage in structured activities. The staff work with young people to timetable activities and the home has a range of activities within the home. Young people are able to invite their friends to the home and are encouraged to develop friendships within the local community and their schools.

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Quality of care

The maintenance and the décor of the home is of a generally good standard. There were some areas of improvement which needed attention, largely superficial damage to the walls and doorframes. The home is comfortable and endeavours to ensure a homely and non-institutionalised environment. Young people’s bedrooms are individualised and young people have choice in their decoration preferences. The home offers opportunity for both privacy and social engagement. The home is clean and tidy and has a relaxed and pleasant feel to it which is consistent with family living.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is good at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are safe and say they feel safe. A committed and skilled staff team ensure that young people are safe and learn to keep themselves safe. Maintenance within the home is of a good standard with staff implementing consistent monitoring and security to ensure the safety of young people. Consistent staffing ratios further ensure that young people's whereabouts are known at all times and that they are supervised and monitored closely.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There have been several reported incidents of young people going missing from the home since the last inspection. The home has clear procedures in place to notify the relevant bodies. In the majority of cases, the number of such incidents has reduced. A social worker commented that, 'they have ensured the safety of this young person through their vigilance and close monitoring.' A joint protocol for children missing in care is in place and used in the event of a young person's missing from care. Staff have a good understanding of the relevant policies and procedures and ability to follow them if necessary.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff promote positive behaviour for young people at all times. The use of physical restraint in the home is minimal. Staff who undertake any restraints are suitably trained. Recording of such incidents is in line with the legislative framework. Young people have the opportunity to speak with staff following the use of any restraint and their views recorded as a significant event on their individual case files.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff employed to work in the home experience a rigorous selection process prior to taking up their positions. Recording of all necessary information stored onto individual staff member's files.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There have been no allegations made since the last inspection and one complaint. The record of complaint was clear and demonstrated that the issue was addressed promptly and resolved. Young people report no incidents of bullying within the home. The home is physically safe for the young people. Staff supervision of young people at all times ensures their continued safety whilst in the home. Staff provide high levels of support and supervision to the young people at all times, whilst ensuring that young people experience appropriate levels of independence. Staff receive regular training in relation to safeguarding and demonstrate a high level of awareness of their roles and responsibilities in this area.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good .

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Leadership and management

Young people benefit from a home that has maintained good standards since the last inspection. The home’s development plan reflects practical proposals for continued improvement.

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Leadership and management

The home’s Statement of Purpose is comprehensive and accurately reflects the aims, ethos and facilities offered to young people. The service provides a young person’s guide which is appropriate and accessible, containing relevant information to the young person’s needs.

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Leadership and management

A key strength of the home is the commitment and dedication which the staff team make to the delivery of the service. The Registered Manager is highly knowledgeable and has demonstrable direct experience in working with young people with challenging behaviours. The staff team are stable, dedicated and have solid experience. This means that young people receive sound and safe care.

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Leadership and management

Young people benefit from effective management and monitoring of the home. The Registered Manager undertakes routine monitoring activities, in addition to the comprehensive independent monitoring visits by an independent person. These systems ensure that young people receive a consistently good quality of care. Young people and stakeholders routinely feedback their views on the care provided and outcomes achieved to inform improvements and shape the service.

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Leadership and management

Staffing levels ensure good levels of support according to the needs of the home and the young people in placement. The management team provide a consistent presence, offering support on shifts and an on-call service. Staff receive consistent training which is relevant to the young people’s needs. They were positive about the manager and the quality and consistency of the support they receive. Supervision is regular and of good quality covering professional development and the care of young people at the home. Minor omissions of the start and end time of supervisions and signatures have led to a recommendation in relation to this issue.

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Leadership and management

Young people and staff records are good, records are clear, up to date and stored securely. All notifications are carried out as required and appropriate action is taken to follow procedures and protect young people.

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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 main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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